Ray Manzarek, the influential keyboardist well known for his work with iconic Us rock band ‘The Doors’, has passed on to the great beyond aged 74.
Manzarek was in Rosenheim, Germany, being treated for bile duct cancer.
Manzarek’s life reads sort of a rock n roll fairy story, with all the pieces falling into place at precisely the right time.
Ray manzarek had taken piano lessons ever since his childhood in Chicago, Illinois, but he in addition had a passion for movies. It was this passion that led young Manzarek to enrol in UCLA (University of California) and move to Los Angeles in 1962.
At first, Ray performed in a band named ‘Rick & The Ravens’ together with his brothers Rick and Jim. The group was moderately successful, releasing 3 singles.
Whilst studying at UCLA, Ray manzarek met upcoming Doors singer/poet Jim Morrison and the two decided to form a band together in 1965. He also met his future companion, Dorothy Fujikawa, at UCLA. The pair were married in ’67.
Manzarek and Morrison teamed up with guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, forming ‘The Doors’ (they procured the name from your book by Alduous Huxley).
Because of the scarcity of a bass player, the multi-talented Ray manzarek usually played the bass notes on his piano.
One year after forming, The Doors released their debut record on Elektra records; it was, obviously, a success.
The Doors went on to make numerous more albums, taking an iconic spot in the history of Rock n Roll and inspiring a generation. The group has ever since sold more than one hundred million albums worldwide.
In 1971, lead singer Jim Morrison died under mysterious circumstances in Paris, France. The band continued for 2 more victorious records and tours, before disbanding in 1973.
Following the group’s break up, Manzarek went on to become a record producer and also a Grammy-nominated solo artist in his own right, in addition to playing and recording with such high-profile Doors fans as ‘Echo & The Bunnymen’ and Iggy Pop.
In 2002, following a couple of of intermittent reunion shows, Ray manzarek and Robby Krieger tied up with ‘The Cult’ musician Ian Astbury to create ‘The Doors of the 21st Century’. The band, even though a extremely successful live show, also suffered from controversy, due to a grievance from former Doors drummer Densmore.
Additionally, Ray manzarek’s autobiography ‘Light My Fire’ made him a bestselling author upon its release in 1998.
He died with his wife Dorothy and his brothers at his bedside.
SOURCES:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22604798
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ray-manzarek-doors-keyboardist-dead-at-74-20130520
Legendary musician Ray Manzarek, passes away at 74
No comments:
Post a Comment