Ray news only

December 30, 2004 The Doors to support slumlord lawsuit <> Ray comments on John's lawsuit
The Doors will support the residents of the Morrison Hotel in their slumlord lawsuit. According to an on-line story, the band members will select and re-mix one of the songs from the Morrison Hotel album, and the proceeds will go to the legal fund for the Morrison Hotel residents. read it

Ray Manzarek is hopeful that The Doors of the 21st Century will be able to perform as The Doors by the time they tour Australia in February 2005, according to another on-line story. D21C are awaiting the judge's final ruling on that issue as part of the anticipated outcome of John Densmore's lawsuit against Ray, Robby, and Ian. read it

December 14, 2004 Robby, Ray & Ian on L.A. radio tonight <> memorabilia contest
Robby, Ray and Ian will be in-studio guests of legendary deejay & Doors fan Jim Ladd tonight on L.A.'s KLOS 95.5 radio station beginning at 10:00 p.m. KLOS does not stream live, so this is bad luck for those not in SoCal.

Ray Manzarek's webmaster has announced a contest with chances to win all kinds of memorabilia from Ray's personal collection. There are musical sound bytes and album sources to be identified. The contest ends on Ray's birthday. For contest rules or to enter, go to: http://www.raymanzarek.com/contest.html

December 12, 2004 Ray criticized in press
Ray Manzarek has been making news in the Australian press, being criticized by the anti-drug campaigners for his remarks about drug use. read it

November 23, 2004 AP photo of Ray
A photo of Ray Manzarek.playing in Mexico City was used by Associated Press see it

November 22, 2004 new Rolling Stone issue
Rolling Stone Magazine's latest issue (cover: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time) includes two songs by The Doors in that list. The issue also includes "My Top Ten" by Ray Manzarek. read it

November 4, 2004 Ray to do film score
Ray Manzarek has agreed to do the music score for a new movie script called ''Tooty's Corner'' -- a film penned by Chicago author Mike Maione and Ryan Wiskes. The movie is about a group of South Side guys growing up in the 1950s -- hanging out on a corner dubbed Tooty's. Both Ray and the author were '50s graduates of St. Rita High School. This is according to a story in today's Chicago Sun-Times on-line at: http://www.suntimes.com/output/zwecker/cst-ftr-zp04.html

October 16, 2004 Ray in CD Anthology
Ray Manzarek and Michael C. Ford perform "Xtreme Unction" on the 'Hen House Studios Anthology 4, 2004' CD just released by Hen House Studios according to their latest news update. more info

October 15, 2004 Ray will perform at a John Kerry event
Ray Manzarek performs in a special musical evening with poet Michael McClure and guitarist Roy Rogers to support Democratic candidates John Kerry & John Edwards at San Francisco's Matrix Fillmore, 3138 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, California on Tuesday evening, October 19th. For more information, go to Ray's website at: http://www.raymanzarek.com/musforkerry.html

October 14, 2004 Ray on TV show
Ray Manzarek is the featured guest on LA's KCLS channel 58 on Tuesday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. "Between The Lines" is a 30-minute show from 2003 and focuses on interviews with authors.

September 15, 2004 "Off The Record" in October
Ray, Robby, and producer Bruce Botnick are the subject of "Off The Record" with Joe Benson on Sunday, October 17th, featuring music of The Doors and conversation. In L.A. the show is on at 10:00 pm on Arrow 93.1 FM, but the following link lists many other major markets for this syndicated radio program: http://unclejoe.com/onair/OTR.htm

July 26, 2004 Ray mentioned in Rolling Stone about political activism
Ray Manzarek is mentioned in the August 5th issue of Rolling Stone (cover: Doonesbury cartoon) This comes in a story on page 35 entitled "Musicians Unite to Get the Vote." "...Other artists are stepping up, too. Musicians for Kerry (musiciansforkerry.com) is booking performers including Phil Lesh, the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ray Manzarek of The Doors at fund-raisers...." (thanks, Lorie)

July 18, 2004 Ray interview
Ray Manzarek gave an interview to Glasgow's Evening Times prior to The Doors of the 21st Century show there on July 13th. (thanks, Alec) read it

July 3, 2004 Ray disputes that Jim was bisexual
Ray Manzarek disputes claims of Jim Morrison's bisexuality as alleged in Stephen Davis's new book. According to Ireland on-line: The Doors keyboard player Ray Manzarek has rubbished claims in a new book that the band's late frontman Jim Morrisson was bisexual. Manzarek has slammed author Stephen Davis for allegations in his book Jim Morrisson: Life, Death that Morrisson enjoyed intimate relationships with both men and women. He says: "I saw him with lots of girls but no men. If Jim was bisexual, he did a brilliant job of hiding it. "I never had sex with Jim and to the best of my knowledge neither did anyone else in the band."

June 12, 2004 correction to translation of Italian story
Several Doors fans from Italy who visit this website have written me to advise that the English translation of the story about the Genoa Poetry Festival is at fault in the mis-translation, resulting in the curious statement: "...former drummer with The Doors Ray Manzarek". According to both of them, the original Italian text does correctly refer to Ray as the keyboard player, not the drummer. (thanks, Faith and Marco)

June 11, 2004 Italy story thinks Ray is the drummer
"...former drummer with The Doors Ray Manzarek" is an intriguing and confusing quote from an online story from Italy about the Genoa International Poetry Festival from June 17 to June 30. If this is really Ray that is appearing, he's going to have a very busy month sandwiching this in between D21C dates in Denver and Las Vegas later this month. On the other hand, John Densmore has worked with several poets and participated in poetry events over the years, so maybe this is intended to reference him, instead. I guess time will tell. (thanks, Beverly) read it

June 1, 2004 Ray argued to raise minimum voting age
Ray Manzarek argued to raise the minimum voting age to 35, according to today's Santa Cruz Sentinel in a story about a Bed & Breakfast there. The story says Ray was a guest recently at the Compassion Flower Inn in Santa Cruz. Undoubtedly he was there for the screening of his films on closing night of the Santa Cruz Film Festival. According to the story, it sounds like the discussion occurred during breakfast! (thanks Beverly) read it

May 19, 2004 Golden Scarab out mid-may in U.K.
Ray Manzarek's 1974 release "Golden Scarab" is to be released mid-May in the U.K. on Cherry Red, according to the June 2004 issue of ICE, page 33 (cover: Brian Wilson). [note, the magazine erroneously identified the artist as Ray Minaret] A Google search brought up this site which indicates the release date was earlier this week, on May 17th.

Ray Manzarek appeared in a 14-minute 1964 UCLA student film by a fellow student named Jose Gonzalez. "The Wino and the Blind Man" features another UCLA student as a wino, and Ray Manzarek (spelled Manczarek in the credits) as a blind man. See the screenshots and storyline on Ray's website at: http://www.raymanzarek.com/wino.html

May 12, 2004 screening of Ray's films at film festival
Ray Manzarek's "Love Her Madly" film will be screened on closing night of the Santa Cruz Film Festival on Friday, May 21st, according to www.raymanzarek.com more info

May 3, 2004 Ray interview in Wisconsin State Journal
A Ray Manzarek interview ran yesterday in the Wisconsin State Journal (thanks, Don) read it

April 18, 2004 Ray & Michael McClure appearance in Denver at CU
Ray Manzarek and Michael McClure make a joint appearance at the University of Colorado in Denver on Thursday, April 22nd, according to http://www.raymanzarek.com/index.html Their appearance on the Auraria Campus at King Center Concert Hall begins at 6:30 p.m., and is free for CU-Denver students, $15. general admission. http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/cam/events/cu-denverlive/

April 16, 2004 mention about Ray directing "Riders On The Storm"
Ray Manzarek is mentioned in today's Hollywood Reporter regarding directing an upcoming Indie feature entitled "Riders On The Storm". (thanks, FER) read it

April 12, 2004 Ray & Michael McClure will appear in Denver
Ray Manzarek and Michael McClure make a joint appearance at the University of Colorado in Denver on Thursday, April 22nd, according to http://www.raymanzarek.com/index.html No other details are available at this time.

April 8, 2004 reminder about "Off The Record"
Robby, Ray, and Bruce Botnick are the guests on the nationally syndicated "Off The Record" radio program on Sunday, April 11th. To see a partial list of stations who carry this program, go to this link and scroll down the list on the right side of the screen: http://unclejoe.com/onair/OTR.htm

March 27, 2004 "Mayor of the Sunset Strip" movie in theaters now
Ray Manzarek and Danny Sugerman were interviewed in 1998 for inclusion in a movie that was underway documenting the life and career of renowned Los Angeles deejay Rodney Binghenheimer. I saw this film when it previewed a year ago, and can confirm that Ray and Danny interview clips appear several times. The music and film celebrities who participated in this film to discuss Rodney's contributions are truly a "Who's Who" ... they can be found listed under 'Production Notes' on the website for the film, which is: www.mayorofthesunsetstrip.com Although this movie is in limited release as of its opening yesterday, it will see wider release. Current limited engagement theaters are also listed on the site. read review

March 18, 2004 Ray to perform at benefit for John Kerry
Ray Manzarek will perform at a benefit for presidential candidate John Kerry at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, California on March 29th. Other performers include Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, Carlos Santana, Boz Scaggs, John Fogerty and Roy Rogers. This news came from http://www.raymanzarek.com/appear.html

March 11, 2004 Doors on 'Off The Record'
Robby, Ray, and Bruce Botnick will be the featured guests on the syndicated "Off The Record" program on April 11th. This link has a partial listing of stations that air the nationally syndicated OFF THE RECORD with Joe Benson: http://unclejoe.com/onair/OTR.htm

February 17, 2004 review of Ray's appearance last weekend
Ray Manzarek did an evening of spoken word and music last Saturday night in northern California, his new home. A review of that appearance can be found at www.raymanzarek.com go here

February 12, 2004 Ray turns 65 today
Ray Manzarek turns 65 today. May we all be as strong, healthy and energetic when we get there. Thank you to Ray for your tireless efforts in bringing the music of The Doors to new audiences around the world for the last year and a half.

February 11, 2004 story about Ray's new home in NoCal
Ray & Dorothy Manzarek left the L.A. life last June when they moved to northern California's 'wine country.' A story in today's on-line edition of the San Francisco Chronicle details the re-modeling of their new home, which was completed before they moved in. go here (thanks, Brian)

January 24, 2004 review of Ray's show at McCabes
Ray Manzarek appeared last night for a sold-out evening of spoken word and music in Santa Monica, California. at McCabes Guitar Shop. At one point he was joined onstage by beat poet and frequent collaborator, Michael C. Ford. The program consisted of story-telling, performance, improvisational playing, and question and answer session. read more

January 22, 2004 Ray at McCabes is 'sold out'
Ray Manzarek's return to McCabes Guitar Shop in Santa Monica, California tomorrow night for an evening of spoken word and music is now "sold out".

January 16, 2004 Ray's pick for #1 greatest album
In November 2003, the December 11th Special Collectors Issue issue of Rolling Stone listed their results of "500 Greatest Albums Of All Time" which included The Doors at #42, L. A. Woman at #362, and Strange Days at #407. A number of musical celebrities were selected to identify their personal favorites. On page 131 is an inset box with Ray Manzarek talking about "My Number One." read Ray's pick

January 3, 2004 Ray interviewed in new book
This Is Rebel Music: The Harvey Kubernik InnerViews (University of New Mexico Press) is the latest project from this well known Los Angeles journalist and insider. Released on December 1st by UBC Press, it includes an interview with Ray Manzarek in addition to many other rockers. Harvey also produced Ray's 1996 spoken word double CD, "Myth and Reality." To learn more or for ordering info, go here