That cosmic force that connects us all to film, music and life never ceases to amaze. A week or so ago, Terri and I were mindlessly banging around on Pluto (the channel, not the planet), when we stumbled upon Val Kilmer's star turn as Jim Morrison in the film "The Doors." And, I commented how dead on both Val's Morrison and Kyle McLaughlin's portrayal of Ray Manzarek were (if you've never seen the movie, treat yourself some time).
While the Doors were Jim's band, it was Ray's keyboard stylings that let you know, without ever hearing the song before, that it was the Doors. Tracks like "Touch Me" and "Riders on the Storm," you just knew.
Ray departed terra firma last week after battling cancer. On this Music Friday, we say farewell with two videos. Most people are unaware the Manzarek, Krieger and Densmore went on to record two more albums as The Doors (the first appropriately named "Other Voices"). This is one of the only known videos of them in concert in Germany in 1972. Enjoy the whole set, if you like, but "Love Me Two Times" (about the 17:45 minute mark) is pure Ray.
The other is Ray and Robby jamming with Daryl Hall and Band a decade ago with "Break on Through."
Gonna miss that sound.
Ray on the genesis and bringing to fruition of “Riders on the Storm” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3deQXzV-qTk
Posted by: Bill Geist | June 06, 2020 at 00:13