Ray Manzarek: Favorite The Doors keyboard moment - Progressive Rock Music Forum

My favorite Manzarek moments is his gentle playing on Riders on the Storm and his fabulous organ work on When The Music's Over.

Though got to admit I'm neither a fan of The Doors nor of Ray.

In a decade full of memorable organ riffs (Green Onions, In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, 96 Tears, She's About A Mover), it's too bad that the most iconic -- Light My Fire -- and it's creator are largely forgotten, swept aside by the Emerson's and Wakeman's and Lord's that ensued. Not surprising however.

Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.

Riders of the Storm is smooth.
Soft Parade has it's progressive moments.
Light my Fire is classic.

Everything on The Doors album has great keyboard work really

The Wrinkler wrote:

Riders of the Storm is smooth.
Soft Parade has it's progressive moments.
Light my Fire is classic.

That would be also my top three

let's just stay above the moral melee
prefer the sink to the gutter
keep our sand-castle virtues
content to be a doer
as well as a thinker,
prefer lifting our pen
rather than un-sheath our sword

The organ on Hyacinth House has such a beautiful tone.

The awesome intro to Changeling.

The piano in The Spy.

The creepy organ in Not to Touch the Earth.

Theres many more, but I must go now.

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.

I thought Manzarek was the most important member of the Doors, in terms of the sound and atmosphere the band produced. Jon Densmore and the guitarist (name escapes me) could have been replaced by virtually anyone at the time. Morrison had a unique voice and approach to writing lyrics, I guess.

Fave Ray moments 'The End' and 'Riders on the storm'

Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!

Ronnie Pilgrim wrote:

Blacksword wrote:

I thought Manzarek was the most important member of the Doors, in terms of the sound and atmosphere the band produced. Jon Densmore and the guitarist (name escapes me) could have been replaced by virtually anyone at the time. Morrison had a unique voice and approach to writing lyrics, I guess.

The man whose name escapes you is Robby Krieger and he wrote their biggest hits, such as "Light My Fire" and "Love Her Madly." I think he was the best member of the band, a textbook case of an overnight sensation. And it was "Light My Fire" that made them one.

Personally, I think Manzarek is overrated and don't care for his keyboard work.

I don't think Manzarek is as skilled a musician as some other keyboardists whose names frequent this site, but he did excel at setting an atmosphere and mood in which boththe lyrics and guitar seemed at times to float. Regarding Robbie Krieger, I agee that he is a gifted musician. He was quite young when they made their first record, and I think his playing really matured as they progressed. I've heard some of his post-Doors work and found it quite good as well.

Ronnie Pilgrim wrote:

Manzarek's style did define The Doors, once they were established. And I didn't jump on this thread to bash him, either. But if "Light My Fire" didn't open the door for The Doors LOL

that might have become a moot point. Therefore saying Krieger could have easily been replaced is rather questionable.

I agree: Krieger could not have been replaced. He was not a generic guitarist by any means, and his creative contributions were, as you point out, important both for their musical content and for their impact on the band's career.

Imho, the two fast organ solos in Take It As It Comes are pretty hard to beat Clap

Manzarek may not be on a par with Minnear, Emerson and Wakey technically speaking, but he's got the psych groove and unique sound!

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