Ian Astbury is closing one door to reopen another.

The singer has quit his gig playing in a band with members of the Doors to relaunch his 1980s hard rock group the Cult, Astbury said Thursday.

"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," the 44-year-old said in a statement e-mailed by Cult publicist Todd Brodginski.

Astbury has performed the past four years with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek, 68, and guitarist Robby Krieger, 61, under the name Riders on the Storm.

"I have learned a great deal from the both of them, and it certainly has expanded my abilities as a performer," Astbury said of the '60s legends. "This has been a difficult decision to make, but I feel I would be holding them back as well as myself if I did not depart at this time."

Astbury, a singer heavily influenced by the late Doors front man Jim Morrison, will now focus on reviving the Cult with guitarist Billy Duffy.

Riders on the Storm, according to group manager Tom Vitorino, will continue to perform and is looking at a short list of potential vocalists, Brodginski said.

The Cult gained fame in Britain in the mid-'80s with such hits as She Sells Sanctuary, Revolution and Rain.

The band broke up in 1995 before reuniting briefly from 1999 to 2002.

With files from the Associated Press