The Doors "Light My Fire" Vox Organ & Fender Rhodes Piano Bass

Though it wouldn't be a hit until the following Summer, Light My Fire was recorded by The Doors on Sept. 19 & 20th of 1966 making it 50 years old. Played on the same type of keys Ray Manzarek used, a Vox organ and Fender Rhodes piano bass, this is my humble tribute / tutorial video to a song that still holds a unique magic and continues to inspire.
Here are some other Doors / keyboard vids I've posted:
Break on Through:
• The Doors "Break on Th...
Love me Two Times:
• The Doors "Love Me Two...
Queen of the Highway: • Tribute to The Doors' ...
Crystal Ship:
• The Crystal Ship on Vo...

[@1951rlc]

This Kansas boy moved to Southern California in 1967 and graduated high school in 1969, then back to Kansas. This song brings back a lot of great memories, GREAT JOB!

[@robertinixddd1824]

This song makes me feel psychedelic without being psychedelic hahaha what a great talent to play like this. I imagine what you can feel when playing this song, it is simply incredible. Congratulations

[@TK-592]

Such an amazing part from an amazing song. Always brings me to the verge of tears from how good it is.

[@zyrrhos]

For me, no other song captures that place in time better than Light My Fire, and the transportive effect it has of taking me back in time to Sunset Blvd in 1966-67 to almost imagine what it was like to be there when they were making the myths.

[@bigmak_1363]

I listened Oleo from Coltrane a couple of days ago, and i know i have heared somewhere before and i came here. There it is, i knew it! This is amacing.

[@marcusdekker]

Wow, fantastic!!! Ty.

[@matthenderson1397]

You did Ray justice which is a hard thing to do. Amazing brotha.

[@peppef4144]

Fantastico! Guardando questo ti rendi conto della maestosa importanza che ha avuto Ray per la musica dei Doors!!!!

[@jussirantala8530]

Really good! I spent so many hours in my late teens figuring out this solo but never was able to nail it like this.

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@jordanwillrog]

Timings abit off

[@chrisnicini834]

@@jordanwillrogYou're a bit off.

[@Miggy_65]

@@chrisnicini834 😭😭😭

[@aawagga6841]

@@chrisnicini834 absolutely destroyed

[@rumtumbugger]

Wow - I came to this after watching the live Doors version thinking - there's no way he's doing that bass line for real - there must be someone hiding in the wings playing it on bass guitar, bu apparently not. Amazing playing keeping the left hand going under all the other stuff that's going on. Excellent work throughout my friend!

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks so much. I take a beating in the comments for this particular vid so it's nice to hear.

[@sfrejom]

This is mind-bending to me. You people who can play like this are the chaddest chad ever

[@chrisnicini834]

Very chad of you to say, thanks.

[@100chuckjones]

Looks like a difficult passage @ 5:58 (basically the intro). I play guitar and sing myself and there is a certain balance between playing and singing that's very hard to explain. its like being in the middle of a seesaw and at any moment you could fall off. I get the same appreciation when I watch both of your hands doing different things. Amazing job.

[@jasonjmusic7542]

Good work!

[@ricogarciaarxel9851]

I love this song and this cover, I love this part with listen one voice to talk about to the music and the album.

[@Ralphecy]

Ray defined that so well The doors were always on the inside and ya just had to go through a door to get to where they were .

[@rjlohr]

...many thanks Chris! Now I can actually learn this song correctly!!! Yet another example of why KZbin is the uncut bomb/best thing ever devised on the internet...

[@jorgehwang8874]

No doubt this is the best cover of Light my fire on KZbin 🔥

[@melodiousmonk173]

This is breathtaking your editing and creativity is through the roof, I WANT MORE !!!!!!!! Please do the changeling x

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks, glad you like it. I'd like to do The Changeling but if I keep with my formula of using the exact instruments Ray used I'll have to hunt down a Hammond C3 organ (or was it a Porta B?). Maybe I could cover the version he played live in Texas in '70 with his typical Gibson / Piano Bass set up. Hope you check out some of the other keyboard / Doors vids.

[@chrisnicini834]

Dude, what's up with your tempo? Has anybody mentioned it's too fast?

[@VirreFriberg]

lol, you did a great job!

[@chrisnicini834]

Ha, thanks! I have to have a sense of humor about these things or else the comments would drive me crazy.

[@kevinfager.]

I’m not really a musician but when I do play after learning something tempo is the most difficult thing for me to keep track of. I think I start off fairly accurate but then as I get into it...hahaha.

[@toobmaniac]

Hmmm , maybe two clicks of the metronome per minute faster.. I think what they are hearing is your right hand go a bit haywire halfway through the intro .. I play it on guitar usually bringing the bassline up an octave so i can reasonably play the bass and melody as coinciding harmony with one hand !

[@BilltheFifth]

I would say it's too fast and he rushed his right hand in the intro but it's well played.

[@andym1842]

sounds great i just filled in the vocals and everything gived,

[@MrKersey]

Don't pay attentio to malicious comments, as there will always be someone on KZbin (and in life) who will dislike or hate what you do. I think you did a great job here, it's amazing how you control both Vox and Rhodes. Keep up with a good work and keep those videos coming. Cheers!

[@chrisnicini8714]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I’ve never left a negative comment. If I don’t like something I move on & forget it. People really get off on being nitpicky jack asses.

[@bigbermbikerchannel572]

เรย์ Awesome, playing bass and harmonica at the same time. Ray Manzarex

[@cristianovia]

Well done, great stamina on the left hand

[@rollingstones1965]

Thanks for doing this. Great job.

[@chrisnicini834]

Thank you, glad you liked it

[@MoonThe82]

We can go inside music with them...thanks you for your post, great work

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[@MoonThe82]

@@chrisnicini834 your welcome, i try to learn it too with my piano si i watch your post again and again 💪

[@adambuck5808]

This is awesome. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

[@voiceguy3635]

I don't know how you--or anyone does it.I wish I could.Excellent.

[@MoonThe82]

Work for it, it's seems impossible until it's done 👍

[@theironbutterflychannel9400]

Very nice man, looks like you have the exact same setup as Ray did. Same model of Vox and Rhodes. Also the jam room looks so cool.

[@LuisEduardoGalindo]

As very well with Mr Manzarek`s original cut, there is not enough fair justice to the mix of the Fender Rhodes bass keyboard here as well, still GREAT BRILLIANT WORK!

[@tymason5936]

I've been trying to find a video that nails the bassline and has a good angle for me to learn it (seeing as I've only been playing keys/organs for about a year and a half and have been learning largely through The Doors) and now I have a resource! Also, the rushing is OBVIOUSLY just a syncing problem ;) excellent work!

[@davianjanvierto4679]

0:36 You can skip the video intro and get into the music's intro

[@chrisnicini834]

You could skip it but it would ruin the vibe. Thanks for the note though, don't know how people would have gotten to the song without you.

[@howtoplayrayskeyboard1344]

Nice video Chris! Great Job!

[@Nicolas10523]

Increíble!!

[@CityStays]

God you nailed it. Sounds awesome.

[@elhombre6948]

Amazing

[@johnsecena1434]

Deserves more views honestly.

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks John, nice of you to say.

[@smichaelsmusic]

Great job! Wow!

[@DoctorJezz]

Fabulous - I've been playing this for years and you are spot on - better than me ... and I thought I was pretty good before this ;)

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks for the compliment. I've also been playing it for years but when it came time to record this I had to kind of relearn some of the specific passages to synch it up with the album. I had never played the vamping under the guitar solo exactly like Ray did so that took some time and effort.

[@Carl6231]

Great job!

[@javierloya4086]

Very amazing!

[@5metalacid1]

YESSSSSSSS!!!' SO GOOD!!!!

[@chrisnicini834]

Wow, that was fast...thanks! I just posted the link to your request for it on the Love Me Two Times vid. Glad you like it!

[@jennbfigueroa]

Amazing! Thanks for posting. You inspire me!

[@chrisnicini834]

Jenn!!! You found me! This is all your fault you know...teaching me those first few notes on your keyboard in Charlesgate.

[@carlweiderick]

Fantastic! Great job!

[@DJ-sk1jc]

Bro you did great, don’t let anyone tell you anything unless they can prove it. How you nailed the bass line is tremendous.

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@richardc9325]

@@chrisnicini834 I GOT A FUCKING VOX CONTINENTAL

[@ronnieplonk]

People talking about the wrong tempo but I feel like its right. As far as I'm concerned that was the best version of Ray as I could imagine. Strange as those that criticise are not showing how they're better...

[@chrisnicini8714]

Thanks Steve, I appreciate it. Nice to get a positive comment, I've been getting beat up pretty bad on this one. Not sure why...never said I WAS Ray Manzarek or any kind of keyboard perfectionist.

[@chriss3838]

I enjoy your videos. People love to be jerks online. Keep up the great work!!!

[@bryanlee1887]

cap

[@davidmuse1351]

Nice lead in with Olé Coltrane, Chris.

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks. I like throwing in those kind of Easter eggs for people that are in the know.

[@johnsecena1434]

Very very well put

[@ThiagoSallesGarcia]

Esse solo é uma viajem pura!🤤

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks!

[@georgecarlin5047]

I learned the whole damn thing off the record in A flat minor, and now I can never play it with a band.... Damn turned down tapes!

[@emmarossignol4445]

Yeah that's always a huge issue with old records. I think it's because they were recorded on tape? A lot of the old AC/DC albums are a quarter step down from A=440.

[@toobmaniac]

You must not be very proficient on the keys if you can't transpose it !

[@georgecarlin5047]

@@toobmaniac You're right, I'm not.... It's all about muscle memory. It's hard to un-learn the hand positions and moves for me...

[@BilltheFifth]

Can you explain this comment? I'm intrigued...

[@johnrodriguez5872]

@@BilltheFifth the original recording of it is slowed down and detuned from the way it was tracked, so the person commenting had learned it by ear off the recording, but with it not being in tune he cant play live cuz its so much more of a hassle u feel

[@steveevans424]

I'm 666 on thumbs up at 9-30-2019 at 5:10 PST...... So did You know that Satan infused himself into Jim , at Jims invitation and Helped Jim produce this amazing hypnotic music ( IMHO )....Anyways I loved this stuff for going on 50 years now..... THANKS for the analog look through Rays eyes...

[@josephbattaglia3690]

So thats the instrument!

[@alain-michelmace7970]

i just love it

[@tituscarter9688]

The echo in the room is probably just throwing him off. It happens Also I like the interview clip overlays.

[@kimberlyaguirre1778]

Tengo 23 años y amo esta música

[@you2022]

Fantástico!!

[@jailbr3ak_acdc]

Amazing!!!

[@silvertongues2]

Nice work, i’ve only ever learnt bits of this. Have you learnt it by ear or from somewhere else?

[@mattthebassboy]

All you need for a great doors song is a Vox Continental or Farfisa Compact Combo Organ and Fender Rhodes Piano Bass

[@yolomacswaggers4355]

Hey nice video. I have a question. I love the doors and only play bass, and love rhodes bass, so i wanna hear how to get rhodes bass Sound on bass guitar, with pedals, effects or just settings. Please help me, ty all! Nice video. Greetings Caspar

[@chrisnicini834]

I'm not sure about adding effects or pedals to get bass guitar to sound like a Rhodes Bass. I would think technique would help more like not sliding or bending notes at all. Think a bit more staccato than fluid. That and knock off some high end, play with the EQ a bit.

[@eduardomontes9811]

No soy pianista, toco la guitarra pero me tengo que aprender esta canción en el teclado no importa el tiempo que me tarde en aprenderla

[@HermosilloMusic1]

Wooooooaaaaaaaooooooooowwwwww♥♥♥♥

[@hockeypro813]

Awesome video! What is this shot on / effect is being used?! Love the look of the camera with the older aesthetic!

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks for watching. The video was shot on a Canon 60D dslr camera. I set the camera to give it's best film-like look (24 frames per sec, shutter at 50, etc.) Most of the film look comes from different filters, editing techniques and color/light manipulation in Final Cut Pro editing. The projector and static sound effects help to sell it as "old film" as well.

[@robwarrior2120]

still like it

[@formercakid]

Great playing but there is something about the organ tone on the record that doesnt quite match the tone you have set up on the VOX. There are some additional harmonics going on in the recorded version. Was it the nuance of the VOX model he had or was it the amp he was using? Anybody with additional info please chime in.

[@jameslarge434]

He might have been playing on a farfisa on the record but idk

[@chriss3838]

Per Ray he never played a farfisa. Farfisa is more reedy. It's definitely the Continental

[@Gunmetalbluejeeptjs]

🦎👑🔥🔥🔥

[@CarlosVOX101]

Nice !

[@richardc9325]

Also the album version or the slow version is the incorrect speed, this is the correct one

[@chrisnicini834]

I've explained that over and over in the comments but thank you, I'm glad you understand. Had to spar with you on your other comment though. Thanks for watching.

[@richardc9325]

@@chrisnicini834 Im talking about the people who are getting mad at you lmao im not even mad at you

[@jlo13800]

Rotax 850 ETECH in the 2017 skidoo MXZ.

[@rubenpimentelrios8135]

Muy bien broooo un poquito acelerado ,, yo digo que ahorita ala fecha ya la debes sacar ala perfección

[@richardc9325]

it sounds different from the original recording because he isn't using a guitar amp, in the studio they had those big ass guitar amps, plus the IV drawbar is a little too much.

[@chrisnicini834]

Why people hold me to some impossible standard on this video I'll never know especially when I say in the description this is my "humble tribute" not the end-all be-all version but let's get into it: They didn't use big ass amps in the studio for the first album. True, I'm not playing through the amp Ray used on the recorded version of LMF which was a Fender Twin Reverb (normal size 2 x 12" amp) but I am playing through what he used in clubs & ballrooms from early Spring to late Fall of '67 which is the Jordan Boss amp. I assume you are referring to the Acoustic 260 amps with 261 cabs they used during Waiting for the Sun and on. It also doesn't sound exactly like the album because I'm not playing in Sunset Studio in 1966, or playing through the mixing board they had or recording to analog tape or have Bruce Botnick mixing the song nor do I have the skill or originality that Manzarek had....I'm just a fan in a basement and who knows, maybe my IV draw bar wasn't on the exact same click Ray had when he played....he didn't give me a song by song chart of his draw bar settings before he died. What I used sounded good at the time but then I didn't know 5 years later after posting people would still be directing this vid. In your LMF vid you're playing on a synthesizer and not playing the bass part and not trying to stay in time with the album for 7 minutes or trying to figure out what he's playing under the guitar solo nor have any production value to your vid yet I would never, never think to pick apart your video. There are plenty of guys on KZbin that think they are Gods gift to Doors fans...go tell them why they don't sound just like the album.

[@richardc9325]

@@chrisnicini834 Again im talking about the people who are giving you shit im not criticizing you, im talking about those comments that say "it doesn't sound like the original". I've only been playing keyboard for 2 months, total beginner, and what my approach is to use a midi keyboard controller, with a virtual vox continental on my computer hooked up to my speakers, I'm gonna buy another keyboard with the virtual fender rhodes bass i can play, its a much cheaper option since i could not find a good vox continental online

[@richardc9325]

@@chrisnicini834 i should have worded my comments different but you just gave me valuable information on what they used, when i learn the last bass parts i will upload a full video

[@chrisnicini834]

@@richardc9325 Ha....it's cool, sorry...when it comes to this video I'm so used to playing defense I sometimes overreact. As you can tell by the comments I've gotten beat up a few times. The real mean, brutal comments I've deleted. As far as your video, if you've only been playing for 2 months you're pretty amazing. Can't imagine how good you'll be in a year!

[@richardc9325]

@@chrisnicini834 I'm obsessed with sounding like the original recording, lots of people say your tempo is too fast because they think the slow version is the correct speed, when its not. I use a software called Arturia Vox Continental V. I watch all your videos, my favorite is the crystal ship

[@gabrielvives13]

Very good job love it !! Did you try to play with chords Am7 and F#m7 ? ^^ it's quite cool too

[@chrisnicini834]

Thanks! I do go back and forth between Am7 and F#m7 in the last verse around 6:35.

[@orlandolabra3112]

vas a destiempo

[@chrisnicini834]

me alegra que te guste

[@richardc9325]

i got a vox continental

[@Nikola-eu9nu]

1:40 - 3:50 ..... mind blowing, and yeah, your tempo is out at some parts... it's kinda tradition to mention tempo :P

[@acey6647]

Any sheet music for this?

[@chrisnicini834]

I don't have any sheet music for it. There's sheet music out there for the album cut of the song but none for this unused version.

[@Mark-n7q1g]

your Making Metalica and Kiss look fly shit on a cave wall

[@chrisnicini834]

Ha, Thanks! Now that's a unique compliment!

[@aldoarellano2379]

excelente pianista

[@knowledgeseeker-wf1zu]

Great stuff--try some of the songs by the Animals-where Alan Price does his 3 handed organ solo's

[@chrisnicini834]

Funny, I love the Animals original lineup, was obsessed by them when I discovered the double disc complete recordings CD. When you watch clips of Alan Price on Ed Sullivan and a bunch of the British music shows he's just incredible. So manic and soulful and blazing...I wish I could pull off his style but I can never quite capture it. That intro to Worried Life Blues on the Vox...gives me shivers down my spine.

[@knowledgeseeker-wf1zu]

Yeah it does me do--- sometimes I get it right -when I play it -the way he builds up the intensity of the solo's -fluttering the keys -he got great sounds out of his equipment---that's why I started playing the organ because of Alan Price -I first heard them at the age of 8 in 1964 -no more Beatles for me--The House of the rising sun -rose the hair on the back of my neck--

[@rafaeltrevino7096]

I have that sample for cronos

[@dustinmahan1495]

Sounds like Jesus music

[@chrisnicini834]

Ha, well The Doors sure give me a religious experience.

[@karendalsadik7119]

Actually they are jazz-rock so they improv.

[@djw315mw2]

I like the original tuning and tempo better. Still an amazing job tho.

[@sobchac]

ЁПТ Аплодисменты!!!

[@xx_me0w_xx3]

Not quite my tempo

[@robwarrior2120]

wrong tempo

[@chrisnicini834]

I got that criticism a few times on this...am I playing out of tempo with the song or is it the fact that I'm playing to the remastered version of the song which was sped up a half-step to the correct speed? I'll admit there's a spot or 2 where I probably fall out of sync...is that what you mean?

[@donguillepy]

Oh, come on!!! I think Chris did an AWESOME job, he absolutely nailed it. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Hawk170122]

I could do that if I wanted....😉🤪🤣

[@fedegutierrez1]

tempo dude!!!! but awesome interpretation!!

[@chrisnicini834]

Weird, you're the 1st person to mention the tempo. Thanks though.

[@SightCentralVideos]

You’re rushing and making mistakes.

[@chrisnicini8714]

You’re nitpicky & have great people skills.

[@ileonardog]

what a bad interpretation !!!

[@chrisnicini834]

Antagonizing me isn't going to get your boring vids any more views. Jealousy make you post your hateful little comment Liberace?

[@ВикторияЛи-в2и]

Amazing 👏

[@philipandersson4932]

So nice !

[@chrisnicini8714]

Thank you!

[@randallaxel4111]

Amazing!