Ray Manzarek, The Doors' Keyboardist, Dies At 74

Ray Manzarek, who served as The Doors founding keyboardist, died after an enduring battle with cancer on Monday in Germany, his publicist confirmed in a statement. He was 74.

Manzarek met Jim Morrison on Venice Beach in California on a chance encounter, and eventually founded The Doors in 1965, which went on to include drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger The iconic American rock band achieved worldwide success, selling 100 million albums and earning multiplatinum status in the U.S. for five of their records.

Although frontman and lyricist Morrison died in 1971, Manzarek and the other two surviving members continued to play as a group for two more years. In later years, Manzarek and Krieger continued to keep the music alive, touring together under their individual names but performing solely Doors songs. The Doors were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today," said Krieger. "I'm just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."

In his post-Doors days, Manzarek also went on to produce the Los Angeles punk band X.

Manzarek is survived by his wife Dorothy, his son Pablo, brothers Rick and James, and three grandchildren.

Get Uinterview's FREE iPhone App For Daily News Updates here.

Get the FREE Uinterview iPad app here and watch our videos anywhere.