Airlie Beach Hotel Or ‘Morrison Hotel’?

For two nights at the end of April, the poetic and eclectic sound of one of the biggest bands of all time will revive in two back-to-back tribute shows setting “the night on fire” at The Pub.

Unlocking The Doors, a mesmeric, hedonistic tribute to the provocative music of Jim Morrison and The Doors, will play on the Bar Top Stage at local’s favourite local on April 29 and 30 in two free shows.

The Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing one of Australia’s most authentic tribute shows to audiences for a second year running – what The Pub is calling a ‘Full Circle’ return of The Doors mayhem and psychedelic ‘60s aura.

The renowned tribute runs through a select repertoire of the Rock Hall of Famer’s 50-year history, right back to their self-titled debut album up to the post-Jim Morrison years of An American Prayer, all for free at the Airlie Beach Hotel.

Unlocking The Doors is led by Wollongong musician Richie Mikic, a long-time apostle of the American-band, who delivers a heartfelt performance in channelling the mystical command once held by the man at the iconic heart of the band – Jim Morrison.

“We take people back in time to when ‘The Lizard King’ ruled,” Richie said.

“Showing people how brilliant The Doors were and how intoxicating Jim Morrison was on stage drives us.”

Formed in Wollongong, the tribute band has travelled across the country to an ever-growing legion of fans and critical acclaim, with each member expertly reproducing the unique sound.

“Capturing the shamanistic presence of Jim Morrison, the hypnotic bass lines and swirling keys of Ray Manzarek, Robbie Krieger’s legato blues inspired guitar modality and John Densmore eclectic fusion of jazz, rock and Latin drumbeats, is our absolute pleasure,” Richie said.

There’s Sandy on organ and keyboard bass, who holds the key to reproducing the authentic live sound of Ray Manzarek. While fellow band-member Mick draws on his classical guitar and rock background to play his Gibson SG standard in finger-picking style to emulate Robbie Krieger’s beautiful legato tone.

And completing the line-up on drums is Lee, who unlocks John Densmore’s original style, providing the backbeat so vital when paying tribute to their signature melodies.

Unlocking the Doors reprise the energy from the band’s catalogue of classics - ‘People Are Strange’, ‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)’, ‘Riders On The Storm’ – and their back catalogue like ‘Spanish Caravan’ and ‘Hyacinth House’.

It’s a celebration of the band which marked an age when the American rock underground of the ‘60s came crashing into the mainstream. One which changed music forever – and it will have you singing “I’d really like to stay here all night”.

What: Unlocking The Doors

When: Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and April 30, 2.00pm to 5.30pm both days

Where: The Airlie Beach Hotel

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The Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing back one of its favourite shows, Unlocking The Doors, a tribute to one of America’s biggest bands

Richie Mikic takes on the role of Jim Morrison in this revival show for the ages coming to the Whitsundays in late April

Unlocking The Doors is a perfect capsulation of the energy of the band that changed music forever