Published: August 08, 2008 10:57 pm      

MOLSON CONCERTS: Riders on the Storm bring massive crowd

The Doors were not officially at the Molson Canal Concert Series on Friday night at the packed Ulrich City Centre, but the spirit of the late Jim Morrison was present.

Teens in Doors T-shirts, salt and pepper pony-tailed AARP candidates, men and women with psychedelic T-shirts and babes in strollers picked up the beat when the Riders on the Storm took the stage about 9 p.m.

The sixth concert was the biggest happening so far of the eight-concert series with fans rimming the outside and jamming the inside. Cars lined dozens of city blocks, including down East and West avenues, and parking lots were jam-packed as many anticipated for the first five concerts.

“It’s my favorite band because Jim Morrison kicks butt,” said Dave Niro, 16, of Lockport who was wearing a Doors T-shirt. “He’s a cool cat. That’s why people loved him because he was different. He was out there. I would love to hear the original tracks, but since Jim’s not around it’s kind of weird.”

Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger are original members of the Doors, but Riders on the Storm can’t use the Rock Hall of Fame Doors’ name. Vocalist Brett Scallions did body language impressions of Morrison who died July 3, 1971, at age 27 in Paris.

Riders on the Storm came out on stage with puffs of blue smoke filling the air.

Buffalo bands Mo’ Porter and Chylde opened the evening with a festive audience bouncing a beach ball. Teens showed belly buttons and boys without shirts played hackie sack. Lines stretched about 50 deep for food and beer tickets.

Everything appeared orderly.

“It’s a nice place to see a show. It’s clean and its’ nice and its safe,” said Andrea Mondich of Grand Island.

Husband Mike Mondich was wearing a Morrison Hotel shirt. “I’ve been a fan for long time,” he said. “They were really a good band. It was different, how it sounded. There were good lyrics. Jimmy was a poet.”

There were boys with Frisbees and the Mark and Denise Zappy family of Wilson played pickle in the middle with a beach ball.

“We wanted to see members of the Doors,” Denise said. “It brings back memories of my younger days.”

The first two groups “were just background noise, but they sounded good,” she said.

Gloria and Victor Cap of Grand Island came for the first time and watched and listened while seated on a curb. “I liked the first one (Mo Porter). I didn’t like the second one (Chylde),” Gloria said. “I like the concert except you can’t bring in folding chairs.”

Jeremy Hicks of Lockport brought his three children and their friends for the first time. He was holding Evangeline, 5.

“It’s all right if you keep an eye on them,” said Hicks who was wearing a shirt from an Allman Brothers concert. “I love music,” he said. “We have all the Doors CDs, about 16. They’re different, unique, they can’t be duplicated. The Doors are the Doors. It won’t be the same without Jim Morrison, but he might be here now, nobody knows.”

The Storm toured Europe in July with drummer Ty Dennis and bass Phil Chen.

n Favorite shirt: “Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.”

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott  439-9222, ext. 6246.