RIP Ray Manzarek (the Doors) - Progressive Rock Music Forum

The Doors are, to me, the most important American band from the 60's, and Ray was the most important part of the band's sound. Sad news indeed.

R.I.P. Ray, and sincere condolences to everyone close to him.

And Thank You for such magical music.

Edited by Melomaniac - May 21 2013 at 08:17

"One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio

Of all the papers, the LA Times--the local rag--has had the best spread on Ray. Makes sense:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ray-manzarek-photos-20130520,0,147206.photogallery

"There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson

Terrible news Cry

Just recently watched Live at the Hollywood Bowl in cinema...

This night wounds time.

R.I.P. once again, Ray, the Polish member of the band... Unhappy

"Music is much like f**king, but some composers can't climax and others climax too often, leaving themselves and the listener jaded and spent."

Charles Bukowski

The Bearded Bard wrote:

Sad news.

Loved his work. RIP, Ray.

I know I'm a bit late to the party, but wow, rest in peace Ray. A legend. One of my favourite musicians ever. I was really in shock when I found out - way too early to go, way too early. The Doors have been one of my favourite bands since I was like really young. Very sad. Unhappy

Tom Ozric wrote:

I wonder if Ray ever used a synth during his days in The Doors ??

According to Ray's memoir, "Light My Fire. My Life With The Doors", he himself never used synthesizers for the Doors albums.

But during "Strange Days" sessions "Paul Beaver brought his huge modular Moog system into the studio... [It was] one of the first uses of the Moog synthesizer in rock".

The problem was it's too difficult to repeat necessary sounds on Moog. Again, according to Ray, "We used the electronic wind sound Beaver had created on "Spanish Caravan"* and then another sound on Jim's voice - ... - on the title cut, "Strange Days"".

When Ray tells about recording "The Soft Parade" album he adds: "Had synthesizers been more advanced, more user-friendly back then, I would have scored the whole thing by myself. But after that Paul Beaver episode with the modular Moog, well, forget synths".

* - Looks like "Spanish Caravan" was recorded during "Strange Days" sessions. Confused

Edited by NotAProghead - May 26 2013 at 07:59

Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)

^ I thought there are synths on "Horse Latitudes", but according to Ray all its sounds were made by Yamaha piano (Ray pulled strings), Robby's guitar and screams and noises by Jim, John Densmore, Ron Krieger (Robby's brother), Alan Ronay and Pamela Courson.

By the way, Ray had numerous talents. We all know his contibution to the Doors' music, his sensitivity to good lyrics. But he's also a great storyteller (reading his book "Light My Fire. My Life With The Doors" is a real pleasure) and a talented filmmaker (he directed some Doors videos, his UCLA student movies "Induction" and especially "Evergreen" prove my point, both published on this DVD: http://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=34398; in 2000 he directed the full-length movie "Love Her Madly": http://www.mcclure-manzarek.com/lovehermadly.html).

Yeah, the world became an emptier place without Ray.

Edited by NotAProghead - May 26 2013 at 16:04

Who are you and who am I to say we know the reason why... (D. Gilmour)

Interesting. In some ways, I enjoy the 2 post-Morrison albums more than the earlier ones, and it's thanks to Ray. A song like 'The Mosquito' is a knock-out. As is 'Verdilac' and I love the gentleness of Densmore's 'Piano Bird'. More Jazz oriented than the previous acid-psych stylings. 'Other Voices' is superb. Always will be one of my fave keyboardists. Jim was an inspired poet, but too much of a drug fiend to hold it all together. Shame.

Sad news. Rest in peace.