Ray Manzerak passed away yesterday. This extract via The Doors Facebook
Manzarek is best known for his work with The Doors who formed in 1965 when Manzarek had a chance encounter on Venice Beach with poet Jim Morrison. The Doors went on to become one of the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s, selling more than 100-million albums worldwide, and receiving 19 Gold, 14 Platinum and five multi-Platinum albums in the U.S. alone. “L.A.Woman,” “Break On Through to the Other Side,” “The End,” “Hello, I Love You,” and “Light My Fire” were just some of the band’s iconic and ground-breaking songs. After Morrison’s death in 1971, Manzarek went on to become a best-selling author, and a Grammy-nominated recording artist in his own right. In 2002, he revitalized his touring career with Doors’ guitarist and long-time collaborator, Robby Krieger.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today,” said Krieger. “I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him.”
Ray Manzerak's use of piano and various keyboards brought an instantly identifiable sound to the band. In an era when guitars were the dominant factor in rock his classically influenced invention set the The Doors aside from others. Yet despite the originality it obviously brought to rock music at the time it remained unique to the Doors sound, and although their music has gone on to influence decades of groups since few if any have incorporated the keyboard and piano in such a lead role. That in itself speaks volumes for the musical skill and artistry of Ray Manzerak.
Here is Spanish Caravan live at the Hollywood Bowl in 1968.
