Ray Manzarek, founding member and keyboardist of the iconic '60s rock band The Doors, has died in Germany after a long battle with bile-duct cancer. He was 74. The Doors' official Facebook page confirmed the news.
Manzarek wasn't the best-known member of the band. That would be frontman and singer Jim Morrison, who died mysteriously in 1971 of what appeared to be a drug overdose. But Manzarek's virtuoso keyboard skills were essential in creating the sound of The Doors, especially that slithering electric harpsichord riff that provides the backbone to their most famous song "Light My Fire." He also contributed to "Break On Through to the Other Side," "Hello, I Love You," "L.A. Woman," and "The End," which opens Apocalypse Now.
Manzarek wasn't the best-known member of the band. That would be frontman and singer Jim Morrison, who died mysteriously in 1971 of what appeared to be a drug overdose. But Manzarek's virtuoso keyboard skills were essential in creating the sound of The Doors, especially that slithering electric harpsichord riff that provides the backbone to their most famous song "Light My Fire." He also contributed to "Break On Through to the Other Side," "Hello, I Love You," "L.A. Woman," and "The End," which opens Apocalypse Now.