Copeland Sues Doors for $1M
Former Police drummer Stewart Copeland has slapped keyboardist Ray
Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger of Doors 21st Century (as the
new incarnation of the Doors is now known) with a $1 million suit.
Copeland — who has filled the drum seat left vacant by original
Doors drummer John Densmore since last summer — claims that Doors
21st Century members Manzarek and Krieger breached an oral contract
to use him for the band’s upcoming tour and album.
“In or about February 2003, after exploiting the credibility,
talent, and reputation to plaintiff Copeland to launch and generate
heat for the tour and album and once the success of the Doors 21st
Century was assured, defendants breached the oral contract,” reads
the suit, filed Friday. “They purported to hire a replacement
drummer, keeping plaintiff’s 20% of the net profits for
themselves.”
Copeland had played a handful of dates with band last year
before his elbow injury forced the cancellation of a December show.
He reportedly aggravated the injury during the band’s January 19th
show in Las Vegas, and drummer Ty Dennis has filled in for the
band’s recent performances.
The lawsuit comes on the heels of a suit filed February 4th by
Densmore against Manzarek, Krieger, Copeland and Ian Astbury, the
former Cult singer who is singing in place of the late Jim
Morrison. Densmore filed an injunction against this incarnation of
the band’s use of the Doors name and logo.
Representatives for Copeland, and Manzarek and Krieger would not
comment on the lawsuit.