Wednesday 22 May 2013

Tribute to the Doors

The death of Ray Manzarek, keyboard player of the legendary band The Doors, is really sad. As a teenager, I was fascinated by their transcendental lyrics and songs, listening to them again and again and reading all the books mentioned on Jim Morrison's biography. I was seduced by his mind and inspired by their brilliant music, as many continue to be today.


The Doors
Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore and Jim Morrison


A documentary about The Doors was shown at the British Film Festival in 2010 and much has been written in order to lift the veil of mystery surrounding them, but it's impossible to conceptualise what their music communicates. We can focus on one instrument or just the words but it's the fusion of the four elements that creates magic.






On this video, Ray Manzarek speaks about how Riders on the Storm came up, an excerpt from the documentary "Mr. Mojo Risin - The Story Of L.A. Woman". For further insights about him and The Doors it's worth reading his memoir. There was always this subversive quality about their music, challenging perceptions and fixed behaviours. Somehow it feels like a wake-up call.






Now there's so much noise around that we almost forget how music can uplift the mind, particularly when combined with poetry. The Doors are unique and Ray Manzarek's jazzy narratives are timeless. Their legacy lives on.   

"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite." William Blake



The Doors
The Doors



Other related blog posts:  
David Bowie Rocks!
Philip Glass: Music Artist
George Harrison by Scorsese