The Doors, one of the most successful rock bands of the 1960s and early 1970s—thanks to an irresistible grab-bag of dark, psychedelic rock and blues jams making up their oft-played and sold greatest hits—lost another member today: founding member and keyboardist Ray Manzarek, who died of bile duct cancer. He was 74. The other founding member of the Doors, charismatic frontman Jim Morrison, famously died under mysterious circumstances 1971 at the age of 27, in Paris.
Manzarek passed at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, according to CBS, and was with his family. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and son, Pablo, who that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Mazarek’s name to Standup2Cancer.org.
Manzarek co-founded the Doors with fellow UCLA student Jim Morrison in the mid-1960s, and almost immediately found great success with their fusion of hard rock, blues, psychedelia, cabaret, and poetry, best exemplified in such hits as “ Light My Fire,” “Break on Through,” “People Are Strange,” “Roadhouse Blues,” and “Riders on the Storm,” all of which (and more) went on to become classic rock radio staples and the soundtracks to several films. The band’s unique style—no bass, with heavy use of Manzarek’s keyboards—was unique amongst their peers, with Manzarek having much to do with the band’s musical direction.
Following Morrison’s 1971 death, Manzarek fronted a handful of Doors records before the band collapsed. He went on to release solo records, produce other bands (notably, the L.A. band X), write, and work on films.
What is your favorite Doors song?