Well….I was saddened yesterday when, amid the carnage in Oklahoma, the news came out that Ray Manzerek of the Doors had died….I remember the times when I was a kid in the 60’s listening to AM radio to see whether the version of “Light My Fire” was going to be the three minute short or the 6 minute long version where Ray’s work on the organ would shine and getting goosebumps when the bridge led us to that long version…I just loved the way he played the organ and injected a playful carnival atmosphere into “Whiskey Bar” all the while playing rhythm and bass at the same time on his Vox….but, the thing that still gets me to this day is his piano work on “Riders on the Storm” all at once a great jazz riff but also a fusion of the rock expansion of the time into those different genres and making them seem natural and right. For a band whose lifetime was a scant 5 years, I still see the Doors as pioneers and still have them in many, many of my playlists that I use daily….I’m a sucker for a good organ player from Lee Michaels to Gregg Allman….and Ray was better than good….so, Rest In Peace, Ray…and thanks….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Well….I was saddened yesterday when, amid the carnage in Oklahoma, the news came out that Ray Manzerek of the Doors had died….I remember the times when I was a kid in the 60’s listening to AM radio to see whether the version of “Light My Fire” was going to be the three minute short or … Continue reading RIP Ray Manzarek…<\/span>