Post by TheWallsScreamedPoetry on Jun 21, 2011 14:42:11 GMT
The Doors: When The Music's Over
HELPING HIMSELF to one of my British cigarettes and inhaling deeply, Ray Manzarek coldly and without emotion spoke about why The Doors finally decided to call it a day.
It was, he said, a mutual decision between the three remaining members of what had become a cult band both here and in Europe. "I got the seven year itch," he said. "It was just time to put The Doors to bed. Some things can go on for a long time and others can't, and The Doors without Morrison weren't The Doors were they.
"We were over in England when we decided to pack in the group. Everybody just decided they wanted to pursue their own musical ideas instead of staying together. We went over to England to try to get some new ideas and new blood into the band, be it a new singer, new bass player, new guitarist or whatever, but it didn't happen. It just wasn't right."
Manzarek, the keyboard player from the Doors, is now making a solo album of his own material with drummer Tony Williams, bassist Jerry Shepp – a Presley sideman – and guitarist Larry Carlton. When it is completed this foursome will go out on the road and play together as a group.
The album, says Manzarek, is a story contained in eight songs which roughly captures his experiences during seven years in one of the most controversial bands of the sixties.
"It's a project I've been living for a long time though I've only been getting this album together for the past six to eight months. I've finally got to the point with my music where all the things that have happened to me are the things I'm going to be singing and playing about. It's an absolutely personal trip, but I hope other people can identify with it."
As yet, Manzarek has no record outlet. His contract with Elektra – The Doors label – has run out, and he's looking for a new label to take the album to. Already he's had offers, both from record companies and other bands requiring a keyboard player, but right now he's biding his time until the right one comes along.
"Soon we're going to go out on the road, me, Tony, Gerry and a couple of extra percussionists from LA, and play the music wherever people will listen. In a way I'm forming a group because we're recording and playing together, but everybody else has other commitments too. Tony has the Tony Williams Lifetime, and Larry is signed to Blue Thumb making his own records for them."
Despite the personal experiences related on the album, Manzarek considers it to be commercial. Each song, he claims, stands up on its own. "I'm looking to make the best music I can, and there's a lot of things on the album which will appeal to a lot of different listeners."
"Basically it's rock and roll, and I will always consider myself a rock and roller. But I've been in rock and roll too long to just play straight uncomplicated stuff – it's rock and roll the way I see it."
Manzarek already has songs written for another albums with the same musicians and a third comprising the soundtrack of a movie he's hoping to make.
"On the first album I've tried to bring in lyrics that relate to a lot of things. There are quotes from a few Doors songs sprinkled throughout, and quotes from my favourite authors and other musical sources I've been into – Chicago blues Russian classical music, African rhythms and songs, Brazilian rhythms and even oriental music."
Early November is the time Manzarek has set aside for touring, and the release of the album, he hopes, will coincide.
"I'm a free agent looking for a company now, just waiting for the right record company to say the right words to me. I'm looking for a small company with something going for them rather than a larger company that will treat me like a machine."
"Actually The Doors had three more records to go on their current Elektra contract. We assumed that if the band dissolved, then the contract was null and void. John and Robbie (Densmore and Kreiger) also have a band together and they're in the process of signing with somebody too."
Chris Charlesworth, Melody Maker, 13 October 1973
HELPING HIMSELF to one of my British cigarettes and inhaling deeply, Ray Manzarek coldly and without emotion spoke about why The Doors finally decided to call it a day.
It was, he said, a mutual decision between the three remaining members of what had become a cult band both here and in Europe. "I got the seven year itch," he said. "It was just time to put The Doors to bed. Some things can go on for a long time and others can't, and The Doors without Morrison weren't The Doors were they.
"We were over in England when we decided to pack in the group. Everybody just decided they wanted to pursue their own musical ideas instead of staying together. We went over to England to try to get some new ideas and new blood into the band, be it a new singer, new bass player, new guitarist or whatever, but it didn't happen. It just wasn't right."
Manzarek, the keyboard player from the Doors, is now making a solo album of his own material with drummer Tony Williams, bassist Jerry Shepp – a Presley sideman – and guitarist Larry Carlton. When it is completed this foursome will go out on the road and play together as a group.
The album, says Manzarek, is a story contained in eight songs which roughly captures his experiences during seven years in one of the most controversial bands of the sixties.
"It's a project I've been living for a long time though I've only been getting this album together for the past six to eight months. I've finally got to the point with my music where all the things that have happened to me are the things I'm going to be singing and playing about. It's an absolutely personal trip, but I hope other people can identify with it."
As yet, Manzarek has no record outlet. His contract with Elektra – The Doors label – has run out, and he's looking for a new label to take the album to. Already he's had offers, both from record companies and other bands requiring a keyboard player, but right now he's biding his time until the right one comes along.
"Soon we're going to go out on the road, me, Tony, Gerry and a couple of extra percussionists from LA, and play the music wherever people will listen. In a way I'm forming a group because we're recording and playing together, but everybody else has other commitments too. Tony has the Tony Williams Lifetime, and Larry is signed to Blue Thumb making his own records for them."
Despite the personal experiences related on the album, Manzarek considers it to be commercial. Each song, he claims, stands up on its own. "I'm looking to make the best music I can, and there's a lot of things on the album which will appeal to a lot of different listeners."
"Basically it's rock and roll, and I will always consider myself a rock and roller. But I've been in rock and roll too long to just play straight uncomplicated stuff – it's rock and roll the way I see it."
Manzarek already has songs written for another albums with the same musicians and a third comprising the soundtrack of a movie he's hoping to make.
"On the first album I've tried to bring in lyrics that relate to a lot of things. There are quotes from a few Doors songs sprinkled throughout, and quotes from my favourite authors and other musical sources I've been into – Chicago blues Russian classical music, African rhythms and songs, Brazilian rhythms and even oriental music."
Early November is the time Manzarek has set aside for touring, and the release of the album, he hopes, will coincide.
"I'm a free agent looking for a company now, just waiting for the right record company to say the right words to me. I'm looking for a small company with something going for them rather than a larger company that will treat me like a machine."
"Actually The Doors had three more records to go on their current Elektra contract. We assumed that if the band dissolved, then the contract was null and void. John and Robbie (Densmore and Kreiger) also have a band together and they're in the process of signing with somebody too."
Chris Charlesworth, Melody Maker, 13 October 1973