Overshadowed, understandably, by the news Monday of the massive tornado in Oklahoma, was the passing, at the age of 74, of Ray Manzarek, legendary keyboardist for The Doors.
I’ve not been the biggest Doors fan over the years, but every time I do hear their music, whether by choice or by accident, I do have a predictable thought that I REALLY like them and wonder why I don’t listen to them more often.
Anyway, Manzarek, in my opinion, was the key ingredient to the band’s sound. Bucking all convention, The Doors did not have a bass player, and so Manzarek performed double duty, playing bass lines with his left hand on one small keyboard and swirling organ arpeggios on another keyboard with his right hand. Guitarist Robbie Krieger and drummer John Densmore were certainly distinctive to some degree or another, but when I think of Doors music I first and foremost think of Ray Manzarek’s work.
For an accompanying video, I’ve chosen one of my personal favorite Doors songs, When The Music’s Over.
Thanks, Ray, for all of the great music!
Fish & Bicycles 
Reblogged this on Das Culturas.
http://blogue-documenta.blogspot.pt/2013/05/ray-manzarek-tocou-cantou-e-encantou.html
Ray’s playing was a staple of The Doors. He’ll certainly be missed after such a long and fruitful career helping to create such haunting music. The Doors’ songs opened my mind to other realms of possibilities and cleansed my perception. I paid tribute to Ray when I heard of his passing by creating a new portrait of him and some melting doors which you can see on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2013/05/in-memoriam-ray-manzarek.html Drop by and let me know how The Doors influenced you too.
Hello! Thanks for your addition to my tribute to Ray Manzarek!
I can’t say that The Doors specifically influenced me in any particular way. I was deeply influenced by a lot of the music of the 60s and 70s.
Cheers!
Ray was definitely the main ingredient to theDoors’ sound.
I can’t imagine being the band for a guy like Morrison. Ray could have been easily overshadowed by MrMojoRisin, but instead drew from the imagery that Jim presented on every song.
Mood….Ray was all about mood.
He also, in later years was the spokesman for keeping theDoors’ legacy alive….speaking of Jim like a king.
The Lizard King!
Sadly missed.
Hi! Thanks for your thoughts on Ray. I agree that when those two got together it was a very special match.