Farewell Ray Manzarek

The Doors' founding keyboardist Ray Manzarek died Monday. He was 74. To celebrate Ray's life, amazing career and the brilliance of the Doors, here's an awesome video from 1968.

Comments

[Ace Steele]

And the coolest thing... The Whiskey A Go Go, The Roxy, The Viper Room, & the House of Blues on the Sunset Strip ALL went dark tonight at 9:31 pm, in honor of this man, who was such an icon of the L.A. Music Scene.

Jim Morrison may have been the singer for the Doors, But Ray's swirling keyboard melodies were the VOICE of the Doors.

R.I.P. Mr. Manzarek.

[Kixchix]

Oh my. This to me is a shocker. In interviews he seemed always to be healthy and full of life. RIP

What a story The Doors as a band were.

[dj]

much respect, they were very inspirational to generations of bands. Rest in peace Ray....much respect.

[Bob]

Manzarek's musical contributions to The Doors are immeasurable. Let's not forget that, in addition to his keyboard leads, he was also often the bottom end of the band since they didn't have a bass player. Not to mention that he added a bit of classical influence to balance out the jazz inflections of Krieger and Densmore. Everybody talks about the poetry and voice of Morrison, but as Ace pointed out, the musical accompaniment and arrangements backing Morrison up were easily as important, and Manzarek is a huge part of that. Now Manzarek and Jon Lord can jam together. R.I.P.

[Metalboy!]

God Speed, Ray Manzerak. Yes, Morrison was the center of attention but without Manzerak there would have been no "Sound".

And the man's shadow on Rock & Roll looms large, particularly in New Wave, possibly The Stranglers being the most notably influenced.

He also gave "The L.A. Sound" panache and class, as I'm sure Ace would attest, having damn near seen it and heard it all out there. There was nothing cheesy about the notes and arrangements he brought to Rock & Roll. He could paint a picture in your mind and strike a feeling with every key he pressed.

Manzerak created "sound moods", one minute witty, the other ironic or pastorally beautific, always serving as a counterpoint to Morrison's lyrics, giving emphasis, underlining and punctuating his every poetic soliloquy.

An "American Prayer" and that of the World go out to him, his family, friends and band mates, both with us and there to greet him in the vast beyond.

[Roy]

Very Sad, as we say 'Good Bye' to another Rock and Roller.

[Gary]

Godspeed to a man responsible for the soundtrack to many a bong hit in my teen years. Guy was an underrated player in shaping huge numbers of future musicians. Along with Jon Lord he brought organ "Leslie" sounds to the masses.