# Ray Manzarek

> American keyboardist (1939–2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q108912](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q108912)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Manzarek)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ray-manzarek

## Summary

Ray Manzarek was born February 12, 1939, in Chicago.[1][2][3][4][5] He worked as a director, keyboardist, composer, poet, record producer, and pianist.[6][7][8] His field included music, rock music, and keyboard instrument performance.[9]His education included the University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, DePaul University, and St. Rita of Cascia High School. His genres included blues rock, rock music, and jazz.[10][11][12]He was a member of The Doors, Rick & the Ravens, Manzarek–Krieger, and Nite City. His awards included the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He died May 20, 2013, in Rosenheim.[1][13][2][3][4][5].

## Summary
Ray Manzarek (1939–2013) was an American keyboardist, composer, and singer best known as a founding member of the rock band The Doors. A multi-instrumentalist and creative director, he also worked as a record producer, poet, and pianist, contributing significantly to the blues rock and jazz genres. His career spanned from 1961 to 2013, during which he was affiliated with the Elektra record label and later performed with the band Manzarek–Krieger.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 12, 1939
- **Died:** May 20, 2013
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); DePaul University; Q1179603; Q7591608
- **Known for:** Founding member and keyboardist of The Doors; work in blues rock and rock music
- **Employer(s):** The Doors; Manzarek–Krieger; Elektra (record label)
- **Field(s):** Music; Rock music; Q115160929

## Contributions
- **The Doors:** Manzarek was a founding member of the American rock band The Doors, which formed in 1965. He served as the keyboardist for the group, which was signed to the Elektra record label.
- **Manzarek–Krieger:** He was a member of the American rock band Manzarek–Krieger, a project that began in 2002.
- **Musical Genres:** His work contributed to the development and popularity of blues rock, rock music, and jazz.
- **Multidisciplinary Work:** Beyond performance, Manzarek worked as a director, composer, poet, record producer, pianist, and singer.
- **Instrumentation:** He was associated with the Rhodes piano, an electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes.

## FAQs
**What bands was Ray Manzarek a member of?**
Ray Manzarek was a member of The Doors, an American rock band formed in 1965, and Manzarek–Krieger, an American rock band formed in 2002. He was also affiliated with the groups Q1760428 and Q7041219.

**What instruments did Ray Manzarek play?**
He was primarily a keyboardist and pianist. He was also associated with the Rhodes piano, an electric piano.

**Where did Ray Manzarek receive his education?**
Manzarek attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and DePaul University. He was also educated at Q1179603 and Q7591608.

**What record label was Ray Manzarek associated with?**
He was associated with Elektra, an American record label founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman.

**What awards did Ray Manzarek receive?**
He received an award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

**What were Ray Manzarek's primary occupations?**
Manzarek worked as a director, keyboardist, composer, poet, record producer, pianist, and singer.

## Why They Matter
Ray Manzarek matters as a pivotal figure in the history of rock music, specifically through his role as a founding member and keyboardist of The Doors. His musicianship helped define the sound of one of the most influential American rock bands of the 1960s. By bridging Beat literature and rock music—a connection noted in relation to writer Jack Kerouac—Manzarek contributed to a cultural synthesis that influenced the trajectory of popular music. His diverse roles as a composer, director, and producer demonstrated a multifaceted creativity that extended beyond performance into the broader mechanics of music production and artistic direction.

## Notable For
- Founding member of The Doors (inception 1965)
- Member of Manzarek–Krieger (inception 2002)
- Recipient of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award
- Career work period from 1961 to 2013
- Affiliation with Elektra Records
- Contributions to the blues rock, rock music, and jazz genres
- Occupations including director, composer, poet, record producer, pianist, and singer
- Association with the Rhodes piano
- Education at UCLA and DePaul University

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Raymond Daniel Manzarek Jr. was born on February 12, 1939. He pursued higher education at several institutions, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a public research university founded in 1919. He also attended DePaul University, a private Catholic university in Chicago founded in 1898. Additionally, his educational background includes time spent at Q1179603 and Q7591608.

### Musical Career and The Doors
Manzarek was a keyboardist and pianist who played a central role in the American rock band The Doors. The band was formed in 1965 and was associated with the genres of blues rock, rock music, and jazz. The Doors were signed to Elektra, an American record label founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman. Manzarek's work with The Doors established him as a significant figure in the rock music scene. He was also associated with the Rhodes piano, an electric piano invented by Harold Rhodes.

### Later Projects and Affiliations
Following his tenure with The Doors, Manzarek continued his musical career as a member of Manzarek–Krieger, an American rock band that began in 2002. He was also affiliated with other musical groups identified as Q1760428 and Q7041219. His professional work period spanned from 1961 until 2013.

### Creative Roles and Influences
In addition to his performance skills, Manzarek held various creative occupations throughout his career. He worked as a director, composer, poet, record producer, and singer. Structured data indicates that his work was influenced by Q160534. He is also noted for bridging Beat literature and rock music, a connection highlighted in the context of his relationship with writer Jack Kerouac.

### Legacy and Recognition
Manzarek's contributions to music were recognized with an award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He maintained a personal website at http://www.raymanzarek.com/. He passed away on May 20, 2013. His field of work encompassed music, rock music, and Q115160929.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. NNDB
4. Czech National Authority Database
5. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/505/000063316/)
6. Discogs
7. Rate Your Music
8. [Source](http://www.mtv.com/artists/ray-manzarek/discography/102066/)
9. [Source](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-21/ray-manzarek-performs-on-stage-in-2004/4702252)
10. [Source](http://thesuperslice.com/2013/05/20/ray-manzarek-1939-2013-dead-at-74/)
11. International Standard Name Identifier
12. MusicBrainz
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. IMDb
15. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
16. Find a Grave
17. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
18. filmportal.de
19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
20. CONOR.SI. CONOR.SI
21. BBC Things
22. [Source](http://iswcnet.cisac.org)
23. Library of Congress Control Number
24. Genius API
25. Quora
26. Carnegie Hall linked open data
27. The Movie Database
28. ACE Repertory