Ray Manzarek 1998 Interview Fresh Air NPR Radio

[@J.R.65]

Ray is sitting with Jim among the gods, and Ray has the opportunity to tell Jim, I love you man🎹🎼🎵🎶❤. R.I.P. They will never die, they will live forever🎤🎹

[@techtipsuk]

Nice thought how ever unlikely it is.

[@joaquindelarosa1215]

@@techtipsuk You never know. NDEs are similar to that scenerio.

[@El_Hicks]

Wrong. He's already been born in a new body, just like Jim did long ago.

[@donenglish9540]

Very, very true. God love them both. RIP

[@michaelfrawley171]

Wrong!!!....the gods are sitting amongst Jim & Ray

[@zyrrhos]

I live in Los Angeles and ran into Ray at a DVD store on Pico Blvd. called Laser Blazer in the early 2000s. I would go there every Tuesday to load up on new releases. I saw someone with their back to me with a stack of DVDs that matched mine and made some offhanded comment that I can't exactly remember. He turned around and we started talking about film and the whole time I was thinking _"Oh my God, I'm talking to a legend."_ I finally worked up the nerve and casually said, _"I'm a big fan of your music."_ He was very gracious and we continued to talk about film and "Jimbo" and Ray's refusal to watch _The Doors_ by Oliver Stone because he felt like it didn't honor the memory of Jim. I countered that the movie had its merits and turned on a lot of young people to their music, which he appreciated. We talked about when he knew it was over, when the spirit had left Jim. He seemed very protective of him, like an older brother. Anyway, his wife Dorothy finally walked up, he introduced her and they left. Sweet guy.

[@31minutesago]

Stan Stedanko Youre a small man

[@kimberlyhollingsworth7983]

What a beautiful magical gift from the Universe!! Thank you for sharing that gracious moment in history!... so sweet to hear how protective he was about Jim.

[@cherylnewland6538]

What A Moment that must've been! Ray was A Genius And Created History with his Musical Talent and Talents of Jim Morrison, Robbie Krueger and John Densmore!! This Band shaped my Childhood, along with the rest of my Life! You Are A LUCKY MAN DUDE!!

[@zyrrhos]

@Stan Stedanko Oh Stan... who hurt you as a child?

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

I've seen this exact comment somewhere else on KZbin.

[@theguy81642]

Who needs actual video when you have Ray Maz telling you a story, a freaking brilliant man.

[@deevineinterventions]

I could literally listen to Ray all darn day!!!!

[@kimberlyhollingsworth7983]

Amen to that!

[@elizabethlee339]

My hero. He passed away before I could even appreciate him😔.

[@kelvinlewis4065]

@Funk Enstein The one of the sounds of my life .. I,m from UK ..The background music through my life ...Love this band !! so much

[@kimberlyhollingsworth7983]

So many is us were born too late, yet we are so fortunate he left us so many of his interviews and philosophy and history stories. He is a like a spiritual guide as well as any other role. I miss him so much, yet I do feel his energy here still.❤️

[@danesteviz]

My God what a lesson in the origins and formation of the chord structures of Light My Fire. I've heard the song my whole life (60 yrs) but to have it described the way only Ray can just made my night R.I.P. Ray.

[@dbutterfly1980]

He is amazing!

[@jac2623]

Agree. Who knew he came up with the intro from Bach and the long solo from Coltrane? A fantastic explanation of putting a song together. They were one of the best from the 60's and their music still reverberates.

[@CableBoogie]

that turn around !

[@pikespeak81]

What a great soul. RIP Ray Manzarek.

[@MarkTitus420]

He writes exactly how he speaks! His book 'Light My Fire' is an awesome book about Ray and Ray's life with The Doors. I love how he has nothing but love and positivity to say about everything and everyone - God rest his soul.

[@radiodlowam]

He was so positive that he couldnt notice Jim's problems and help him. When Jim wanted to quit because he couldnt take it anymore he pushed him to record another album, thats when it went so much worse. He was thinking a lot about his career, but not so much about his friend.

[@tomc642]

I recorded this on cassette years ago. What a fantastic story teller and musician. Ray was pure genius,

[@aussiecoastie72]

Ray was a wonderful story teller 😉 ... and an amazing 😉 musician .

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

My god that guy was brilliant!

[@paradise8876]

It's 20 may 2020, 7yrs ago today we lost Ray .... god bless him.

[@shapursasan9019]

"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words. Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother." - John Densmore

[@listercat1]

This makes me happy...in a sad way. Densmore and Ray had a choppy relationship; hopefully they were able to mend fences in time

[@johntillson619]

I still remember (and will always remember) this interview when it was on Fresh Air. By far the coolest rocker ever interviewed. You can just feel his love for music and creative process. Can you imagine Ray being a music teacher available to the world? There would be 6 billion musicians on earth...

[@spacealienjesus709]

Ray was the heart and soul of The Doors. RIP

[@fotis1964]

Jim Morrison was. Ray was the heart of music section.

[@berry1057]

My grandma was with one of The Doors members when they were on tour in California in the 60's and had my dad, for some reason she would never tell us which one but I really think it's Ray. My dad looks so much like him, and by hearing Ray's voice I can hear so much of me and my dads in it. The way we put an emphasis on certain words than others and talk with drama / life is completely shown here it's crazy how similar it is

[@yankeeapple5615]

A lot of people claim to be the love children of rock stars but when confronted with a dna test they always chicken out for some reason..... If you really think your the grandson of Manzarek I suggest you pursue it.

[@michaelsix9684]

such an awesome band--Ray is a brilliant raconteur--his book is excellent-read it

[@Poetikaliz]

Ray's the best! When he passed away I was at a Poetry reading in Glasgow and felt something happening. I met a lovely English poet at the time also called Ray, coincidence, later I found out after the poetry reading that Ray died. What a band! Best band on this planet by far!

[@31minutesago]

Elizabeth Faitarone I want you

[@Poetikaliz]

@@31minutesago Thank you for your comment. You are very welcome to subscribe to my channel and check my videos. Hava nice time!

[@audiophileman7047]

This is great! Ray was so articulate. It was such a treat to hear how Light My Fire was composed and how Ray gave a lot of credit to Robbie. The Doors were truly one of the greatest bands of all time!

[@rockguitarist931]

I loved the bit where he talked about writing songs. For the most part, they only had Jim's poetry and melodies, but they were still able to figure out what chords worked with them. I think they are undoubtedly the best American band of the 20th Century. Jim never told anyone what he was going to do on stage, yet they still managed to put on great shows and kept it together like it had been rehearsed. This interview is a real gem and I'm glad we have KZbin to preserve these moments for those of us who were too young to experience it for ourselves.

[@davidroy6973]

I wish Ray was still with us.....wait ...he still is....

[@captainbeyond165]

Ray is what you call a musician. My god he’s a genius.

[@caesarvalentin7155]

What a voice like a radio broadcaster

[@erinhand]

Very similar to howard sterns voice

[@scorsese1]

The Doors were great. How a great song comes too life. Genius.

[@techtipsuk]

What a fantastic story teller.

[@austindarling9595]

God I love Ray, a music genuis! He's so great and funny rip man ♥️

[@joemomma7069]

Iv listen to this so many times. You gotta love him. RIP Ray❤️

[@dualityofman1253]

What an amazing human being.

[@fransnagel]

"that little turnaround thing". Such humility, the most inspired and defining riff in R&R history

[@NosferatusCoffin]

That and even more so, Dave Davies' riff for "You Really Got Me", "All Day And All Of The Night". etc. The most copied riff ever. BTW, listen to the opening riffs for "All Day And All Of The Night" and "Hello, I Love You." They are exactly the same. Not surprising since Morrison was a very big admirer of The Kinks.

[@kimberlyhollingsworth7983]

I so loved how he explained that step by step!!! Such a gift to all of us who listened!! Thank you Ray! ❤️

[@DarkSkies72]

Such a humble good man. Ray and Jim together again, rocking in Heaven. #RockGods #RIPRayManzarek #RIPJimMorrison 🙏🏼

[@denisethetford9178]

Every Doors fan needs to make a pilgrimage to the beach. I walked it in '89 and felt Jim walking with me. I need to go back and walk with Ray.

[@hughmanatee7657]

What a musicien. WHAT A MUSICIAN!

[@djembelife]

I remember hearing this Terry Gross interview for the first time. I was in my car but when I got to my destination, I couldn't get out. It was Ray Manzarek giving a history lesson in the process of making one the greatest songs ever made. I'm so glad this interview has been preserved. I keep coming back to it over and over again.

[@mckessa17]

Ray was a genius, the whole band way ahead of their time.

[@cherylnewland6538]

There's an interview with The Doors where Jim talks about how he could See the onset of Electronic Music and how he could see just One Person could sit in a studio and play Everything through an Electronic Keyboard. This was a few years before the creation of Synthesizers. Prophetic, A Poet and as Ray would say, "A Renaissance Man"!!

[@mckessa17]

@@cherylnewland6538 Got a chance to see the surviving Doors play in Canada 2010. Ray was the greatest story teller of his past experiences with the band. I loved the guy.

[@cherylnewland6538]

@@mckessa17 Big Envy!! Yes Indeed, Ray Manzarek was an Amazing Storyteller! Also, such a Gentle Soul filled with Musical Genius and Love! I only had 1 chance to see the Amazing remaining musicians and my vehicle decided to drop. I cried on that one!! You, my Friend, were Lucky!

[@Greyswyndir]

@@mckessa17 - The music the Doors put together to enhance Jim's poetry on "An American Prayer" was mindblowingly awesome. It's such a shame Jim had to go and die on us. We lost him before he really got the chance to grow into a mature, wiser man.

[@fotis1964]

Indeed. Actually it was an ancient greek theater with sacred ceremonies of Dionysos (in greek) and shaman spirituals of indians. I wonder how come so far haven't been made a theatrical presentation of The Doors.

[@reddragon3733]

A motivational speaker once told me, "Whatever the mind of Man can Conceive and Believe, He can Achieve." Listening to Ray tell the story of how it all came together. Their creative process. Rare joining of great and Talented Musicians. They Conceived, Believed and Achieved! Sometimes I listen to song after song while relaxing on a Sunday morning! Just great music from a Group that has stood The Test of Time. I can only Imagine how much more we would have gotten if Jim came back to the guys from Paris? In a short 4 years not a bad song written. Amazing group of men. Destined to meet and give the World their gifts of Lasting Music. Amen.

[@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488]

Too be fair, jim was done.

[@KillerMcDiller]

Love the Doors, Ray is pure genius. Was lucky enough to see The Doors 21st Century in 2002 and was invited onto the stage by the band during the last song, got to touch Robby & Ray will never forget it. RIP Ray.

[@pikespeak81]

This is so good. Thanks for posting.

[@AdamPlex]

they actually had good interviews back in these days, they asked good questions, touching questions

[@domfarrell9073]

Love hearing Ray speak, hes the master voice. No better.

[@robert.m4676]

Ray was one fourth of my favorite band! Sad he passed at74! At least he didn’t go in his prime and got to enjoy the fruits of his labor! He did more to promote the Doors than anyone! No other keyboard player enhanced their band except maybe lynyrd skynyrd, yes, Deep purple and a few others ! But to hold the bass as well is quite remarkable!!

[@jamesanthony5681]

Always loved listening to Ray.

[@Kelsy27]

He was so handsome. RIP ❤

[@gabriellimalopes6790]

Holy shit, this guy knew how to tell a story, i could listen to this for hours non-stop

[@caesarvalentin7155]

I wish I could retire, live in Pacific island, and to listen to The Door all the way

[@jensvitus]

Beautiful guy...

[@tremelo8508]

Jim seems to have Strange Days (second album) written before the band even began.

[@MemphiStig]

Ray was great, and Terry's an awesome interviewer. And this recording sounds really good. Well done and thanks.

[@712345abcde]

I could listen to him speak for eternity

[@tees926]

a true and brilliant gentleman

[@embelslishments]

"The band that backed Jim Morrison" No, you can't say something like that and claim to know about The Doors.

[@TheMegaGamingWizard]

Exactly, my opinion is they all backed each other up to make magic in music. Unfortunately Jim got most of the fame while the band is always 2nd, i love jim but ray was low key the leader of the group.

[@chuckchesser8540]

Everyone always says Jim got all the attention and he did get the most attention. Its not hard to figure out why. Jim always tried to give the band members equal credit. Ray definately did his share, they all did.

[@bongodave13]

Music industry people tried to get Jim to go solo, but he wouldn't do it. The Doors were a real group, not a bunch of personalities competing for attention.

[@StephenDoty84]

@@bongodave13 Yeah, Jim even asked the band to be reintroduced, I heard, when the announcer said "Here's Jim Morrison and the Doors."

[@Greyswyndir]

@@StephenDoty84 - He dragged the guy back on stage and made him introduce them as the Doors, not "Jim Morrison" AND The Doors.

[@carolelinda6476]

He was such a great talent as well as a terrific story teller.

[@Yakman18]

Wow. My favorite things.

[@Baritone45]

RIP Ray Manzarek

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

I love listening to Ray talk, I was in 3rd grade when they wrote this, still remember the times.....

[@pb12661]

Manzarek was definitely "the musical director" of The Doors.

[@ProfessorTime]

The hand of the cosmic gods was all over the formation of The Doors. Jim and Ray meet on the beach by "accident." Ray meets John and Robbie in a meditation class by "accident." Jim didn't sing and Robbie had never written a song before.

[@szqsk8]

Two Guys from Venice Beach sounds like a surf band. It would have been a terrible band name for the kind of music the Doors eventually made. The Doors was the perfect name.

[@RusstafaB]

Genius my Mum (RIP) who won a scholarship went to the Guildhall school of music sane year as George Martin was a great admirer of Ray's skill as a musician

[@caesarvalentin7155]

Poetic

[@seashift4743]

I love Ray Thank you 🙏

[@StephenDoty84]

The first song Robby ever wrote was "Light my Fire." Imagine that. Of course, Ray and Jim helped it along. But still...

[@andrewmcgregor9691]

Thanks for uploading and very cool story of recording onto your Sony Boombox :). God bless ✌️♥️✌️

[@billm7035]

So many iconic bands seem to be a random union of genius.

[@dougpeters1625]

This is magnificent.

[@TheIndustrialRetrospective]

Yes it is, I'm glad I recorded it!

[@forty_two42]

"Sure enough that's what they wanted to see" I'm cracking up. That's mad funny

[@patrickdelzell4477]

Awesome Interview Thank You

[@duckbrew]

Ray must have told the story at least a million times in the last 47 yrs...lol

[@kaylynthefish6739]

Still sounds like the first time he's told it.

[@harrydeanbentzel]

Love me some Ray

[@leetattoo1976]

GENIUS!

[@JamZorro]

These guys were the life of the party... A kickass band that pushed the boundaries of art and music

[@caesarvalentin7155]

Jim was the muse Ray the electronic engineer.

[@CreatingExcellence]

When NPR used to be great! It’s been horrible for years now.

[@christofficewizard6406]

In some Doors gigs, because Morrison was pissed up, Ray played keyboard bass with one hand, keyboards with the other, and sang as well!!! FUCK ME I struggle to even play a song on the guitar!!! FUCKING GENIUS!!!

[@ladyjane8985]

Ray Manzarek was Made for Fresh Air!

[@darrendouglas3704]

RIP Genuis ,prime example were two minds joined & made music thats up there with other legend duos Paul & John ,Mick & Keith Everyone young & old knows The Doors esp Light my Fire is Doors Satisfaction song

[@buffalobigfoot7982]

Who plans to go listen to Light My Fire after this😀

[@tombaker8045]

and, he walked on down the hall.

[@Hyporama]

"you know how that goes, you've heard it a million times"

[@retrodealer6495]

Now jim & Ray are writing new music. And playing on the other side.

[@RobertSlover]

william blake was a big influence.

[@andrewwilson3365]

This was great

[@jamesdoyle3885]

That was awesome

[@robinjohnson8149]

Ray was the brains of the group. Like he said, "I was the Polock of the group."

[@chadpittman2262]

The heart of the doors

[@dariusdribbles.3981]

A band of genius.

[@torstenlandsson9757]

Robby actually has another story about the intro of light my fire!

[@sofialukac5283]

Did he ever make an audiobook?

[@7beers]

This is not the whole interview.

[@mrsbluesky8415]

Hearing from the actual musician is gold. Usually the closest we’ll get to truth over cynical “journalists.”

[@warmblood58]

You gotta wonder had Jim remained alive what might have happened to The Doors as a band . . . would they have survived and evolved onward to even more great songs?

[@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488]

Jim was exhausted, and running on empty.

[@wildmercuryfilms]

@@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488 *Life In The Fast Lane

[@janebraun4482]

I like Ray telling about how they met on the beach. I also respect and am saddened about the Miami incident. Jim the shaman, I believe Jim was trying to have fun and let the audience 'imagine' things. I believe Ray that nothing obscene ever happened. So wrong they convicted Jim.

[@OlymPigs2010]

...William Blake inspired Neville Goddard who expanded on Blake's Philosophy that "Imagination Creates Reality" !

[@StephenDoty84]

Cathy Young: "So what you are saying is, Jim tried to pull down his pants and expose himself while you played your organ?"

[@bullfrogdaddy]

moonlite drive is probably my least favourite doors song. but they are probably the #1 american band ever!

[@wildmercuryfilms]

Velvet Underground? Talking Heads? The Stooges? Ramones? Pavement?

[@kikiu2619]

The joke of Miami was on Jim...

[@tubemoog]

good - no bass players,,,,,, haha

[@Rocks_Dad]

Sometimes I wonder if Ray didn't have a crush on Morrison. 6ft 135 lbs sounds like a cancer patient to me - I once was that whe I smoked 3 packs of Camels a day

[@lawsonlawson9806]

Space out nut ...booze , drugs, and occult

[@dariusdribbles.3981]

"M&M* lol

[@mickm5097]

Am I bad person because I find Manzerek to be kind of irritating to listen to, yet really love his music ? Maybe because he's had to repeat these stories so much, he seems like he's just reciting them in an overblown manner, like a children's story narrator. He was an amazing keyboardist though, a major talent, and able to keep up with Morrison's on stage antics.

[@dalekelly7639]

I don't know, I've heard a few different interviews with Ray, and I don't get the feeling that he is just repeating these stories. He sounds pretty animated in this interview. He does repeat some similar elements, but really can't expect new versions every time.

[@31minutesago]

Yes

[@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488]

Yes, you are a bad person.

[@mickm5097]

@@rev.jimjonesandthekool-aid4488 I can live with that.

[@bluejackgirlyx]

u should rename this - ray fucking around on thew piano.....mostly...and a micreo amt of talk.

[@kai326]

You should rename your username to "can't spell shit". Isn't this a funny instance of The Pot (you) calling the Kettle (Ray) black.

[@herbertwells8757]

"Fucking around on thew [sic] piano"? No: demonstrating at the piano, with plenty of articulate verbal explication ("talk"). Abhorrence of technical explanation goes by another name as well: virulent anti-intellectualism.