Ray Manzarek Passes Away at 74

[Kuzeh]

From the official The Doors FB



https://www.facebook.com/thedoors

"Ray Manzarek, Founding Member of The Doors, Passes Away at 74

Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, passed away today at 12:31PM PT at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany after a lengthy battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his wife Dorothy Manzarek, and his brothers Rick and James Manczarek.

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."

Manzarek is survived by his wife Dorothy, brothers Rick and James Manczarek, son Pablo Manzarek, Pablo's wife Sharmin and their three children Noah, Apollo and Camille. Funeral arrangements are pending. The family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please make a memoriam donation in Ray Manzarek's name at www.standup2cancer.org"

 

[pixletwin]

Sad stuff. I got to meet the man a loooooong time ago. One of the nicest "celebs " I have ever met. Very down to earth and easy to talk to.

 

[Wolfgang]

The Doors were one of the greatest band that rocked the world.

R.I.P. Ray...

 

[OSCORP]

RIP..............

 

[pixletwin]

I actually got the opportunity to meet him and spent the better part of an evening talking to him. He was a really nice guy and immensely talented. RIP.

 

[SixMillionDollarMan Guy]

Oh man, this is sad news indeed.

Was introduced to the Doors as a kid in the 70s and they became my all-time favorite music artists along with Elvis.

RIP Ray

 

[ebor]

The true genius behind the doors sound.

RIP Ray

 

[batfan08]

RIP, sir. The Doors was one of the greatest bands to ever have existed.

 

[SixMillionDollarMan Guy]

The true genius behind the doors sound.

RIP Ray

Yep, Manzarek was the engine that drove them.

Here's Manzarek and Krieger still pounding it out in 2011 (Paris - "Light My Fire").


[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYqVeiyO3wg[/ame]

Gawd, I loved the Doors!

 

[Kuzeh]

Man, he was really one of my biggest influences when it comes to playing music... I am a keyboardist myself and Ray's style was always something I admired and loved... ugh... sad day for me...

 

[fistfulmetal]

So sad to hear about this. He will be missed.

 

[Godfather1408]

Man, he was really one of my biggest influences when it comes to playing music... I am a keyboardist myself and Ray's style was always something I admired and loved... ugh... sad day for me...

I couldn't agree more I spent years learning how to play Keyz like him R.I.P ray.

 

[EVILFACE]

A very talented and underrated musician.

 

[devilof76]

I'd love to have heard the conversation he had with Morrison once he reached the other side.

RIP Mr. Manzarek. You guys were my favorite for a long, long time (which seems even longer when you account for the multiple 'time dilations').