Raymond Daniel Manczarek, Jr., popularly known as Ray Manzarek, was born on February 12, 1939.
He was best known as the co-founder and keyboardist for the phenomenally popular and highly influential rock band, the Doors, from 1965 until 1973.
I personally was fortunate enough to see Manczarek with Robby Krieger in 2003, when they got together to form a new version of the Doors, officially called the Doors of the 21st Century, with Ty Dennis on drums, and Ian Astbury serving as frontman. Astbury had changed his look so as to resemble Jim Morrison. He wore dark shades so that his eyes did not show, and his hair and style of dress was very reminiscent of the late lead singer of the original Doors.
Manczarek was the one who did most of the talking in between songs, as I remember it. He was critical of Bush and the Iraq invasion, which had taken place just weeks before. This was just before George W. Bush would make his infamous "Mission Accomplished" speech, when everyone was marveling at the incredible success story of the invasion, which was assumed, of course, to prove that it had been a good idea. In effect, Manczarek said fine, okay, we won the war. Let's just get the troops back home as quickly as possible. Surely, there was a wide range of opinions from those in attendance at the show (I was with my aforementioned friend, Glen (not his real name), who as I mentioned in my post on April 30th (about the ten anniversary of a Pearl Jam show that he ultimately had not gone with me for), was more or less pro-Bush at the time.
Manczarek did speak out about issues that mattered to him, which was keeping in the spirit of the original Doors. His skills on the keyboard brought a crucial element to the Doors, who were one of those rare bands without a bassist.
I was greatly saddened to hear of his passing, and understand that he died by the side of his wife, and his two brothers.
Rest in Peace, Ray (February 12, 1939 - May 20, 2013)...
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