The recent high profile reunions and splits of the last week may be a sign that the universe is beginning to regain some sort of balance. Diamond Dave has regained his rightful throne, the mediocrity known as Audioslave has ceased and Ian Astbury has permanently abandoned the world's most shameful Doors tribute band, Riders on the Storm / 21st Century Doors. To quote Mr. Astbury, "I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy." Now back with The Cult, Astbury will only be compared to Jim Morrison half of the time and mainly by legions of drunk British guys and the five hippies who listen to The Cult.

Ray Manzarek seems to be taking this in stride, as he and Robbie Krieger now search for the next Morrison stand-in. I'm hoping they will get lazy and quit, since former pals Scott Weiland and Scott Stapp are busy either replacing Axl Rose or drunk and unemployed in Miami. Since Morrison and GG Allin are obviously unavailable, Manzarek's best hope would be with Iggy Pop, who was originally rumored to be Morrison's replacement in the early '70s. Besides, those leather pants slide on quite easily when you're slathered in peanut butter.

The only real winner here is John Densmore who slapped Ray with a lawsuit preventing him from using Morrison's image, the name "The Doors, " and then turned down a fifteen million dollar offer from Cadillac to use "Break on Through" to hawk cars. Too bad, Greedy Uncle Ray could have used that $15 mill. to buy back his dignity.

For your convenience I have attached this visual aid, as you see Mr Astbury and Mr Morrison look nothing alike.