About
Ray Manzarek was an American keyboardist and musician, best known as a co-founder and keyboardist of the rock band The Doors. Born in Chicago, he met Jim Morrison at UCLA film school and formed the band in 1965. His innovative playing, combining Vox Continental organ and Fender Rhodes piano bass, allowed the group to perform without a bassist. With The Doors, he recorded six major studio albums, including The Doors (1967) and L.A. Woman (1971). After Morrison's death, he pursued a solo career and produced artists like the punk band X. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He died in 2013 of bile duct cancer.
* 1939-02-12 — † 2013-05-20
Major works
- The Doors (1967)album
- Strange Days (1967)album
- Waiting for the Sun (1968)album
- Morrison Hotel (1970)album
- L.A. Woman (1971)album
Key milestones
- 1965Co-founded The Doors with Jim Morrison, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore.
- 1993Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doors.
- 2007Received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award with The Doors.
Themes
Psychedelic rockMusical improvisation1960s countercultureInstrumental innovationArtistic collaboration
Sources: namm.org · grammy.com · raymanzarek.com