Died On This Date (May 20, 2013) Ray Manzarek / Keyboardist For The Doors
themusicsover Ray Manzarek
February 12, 1939 – May 20, 2013
Ray Manzarek was the co-founder and keyboardist for legendary rock band, the Doors. Born in Chicago, Manzarek moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA film school during the early ’60s. It was there that he met Jim Morrison who told him he had written some songs and sang him a rough version of “Moonlight Drive,” and the Doors was born. In January of 1966, John Densmore and Robby Krieger were added to the mix, and the group soon became the house band at The London Fog in Hollywood. Unfortunately, the group did very little to bring new patrons into the dingy bar so they were eventually fired only to be picked up by the Whiskey a Go Go the very same day. Their first gig at the Whiskey was opening for Them which got them some notice, and lead to a contract with Columbia Records. After languishing there for a few months they asked to be released from their contract and were soon signed by Jac Holzman to Elektra Records. The band’s first album, simply titled The Doors debuted in January of 1967 and soared to #2 on the Billboard charts on its way to selling over 12 million copies. The album included the band’s biggest single, “Light My Fire.” The Doors went on to become one of the most important rock bands all time thanks to their brilliant compositions and Morrison’s dynamic stage presence. After Morrison’s untimely death in 1971, the band forged on as a trio until calling it quits in 1973. In later years, the Doors occasionally reformed for special engagements. Outside of the band, Manzerek released several solo albums and formed a group he called Nite City. He also collaborated with the likes of X, Echo & the Bunnymen, and Iggy Pop. On May 20, 2013, Ray Manzarek died from bile duct cancer. He was 74.
What You Should Own
Keyboardist Jake Brockman was a longtime touring member of Echo & the Bunnymen, when he joined the band in 1989. Prior to his official tenure in in the band, Brockman was affectionately known as the “Fifth Bunnyman.” He played with the band during their “golden” years, but his first album as a full time member was 1990’s Reverberation. The band broke up following its release. 53-year-old Jake Brockman was killed on September 1, 2009 when his motorcycle collided with an ambulance on the Isle Of Man. Original Echo & The Bunnymen drummer 
Michael Lee was a respected English drummer who, after a short career as the with ’90s rock band, Little Angels, began recording and touring with many of the era’s greatest musicians. His first gig of magnitude came in 1991 when he toured as part of the Cult’s band. In 1993, he began working with Robert Plant on record and on tour. That lead to a Led Zeppelin reunion of sorts when Plant began collaborating with Jimmy Page as Page and Plant. While working with Plant, Lee co-wrote “Please Read the Letter” which won a Grammy for Plant and Alison Krauss in 2009. Throughout his career, Lee also collaborated with a reconfigured Thin Lizzy, Quireboys, Lenny Kravitz, Ian Gillan, and Echo & The Bunnymen. Michael Lee died of an epileptic seizure in his home at the age of 39.