WBLM Remembers The Doors’ Ray Manzarek On His Birthday

Legendary Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek would have been 82 today.  He was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 12, 1939. We’ll celebrate Ray on his birthday with plenty of music from the Doors on WBLM.

Let’s remember the music and mad keyboard genius of Manzarek. His right hand was playing melodies with crazy fingers and his left hand was pounding out the bass thunder. Every time we listen, it's still mind-blowing.

The closest The Doors ever came to Maine was for an historic appearance in concert at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on August 9, 1967.

Ray Manzarek returned to New Hampshire one more time 38 years later with the "Doors of the 21st Century" along with founding Doors member, guitarist Robby Krieger.  Ian Astbury of the Cult was on vocals channeling "The Lizard King" in the summer of 2005. It's pretty amazing how much Ian looks like Jim in this photo.

Drummer John Densmore was a guest in the WBLM Studio promoting his book, The Doors Unhinged on the Saturday morning show, Psychedelic Breakfast. He was super kind and effusive during his time on the air with us. I'll certainly never forget being around his incredible vibes and listening to his legendary stories.

That visit was on Record Store Day 4/20 2013. It was just a month later when Ray passed away. Sadly, Ray Manzarek died of cancer in May of 2013 at the age of 74.

John had this to say,

"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words."

The Doors were a main attraction along with the Who and Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wight Festival a year after Woodstock in August of 1970. This is thought to be the final Doors concert captured on film and was released in 2018.

The video quality is beautiful and the performance is "stoned immaculate".

Enjoy. And on behalf of everyone in Blimpville, thank you for the music Ray.