Post by darkstar on Sept 8, 2005 12:10:38 GMT
USA TODAY Chat Transcript Thursday, January 17 2002
01/21/2005 - Updated 06:31 PM ET
Ray Manzarek
'The Poet In Exile': Ray Manzarek
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2:30 p.m. ET
Former Doors lead singer Jim Morrison died in his late 20's and is buried in Paris's Pere Lachaisse cemetary - right? What if his death was faked in order to allow the Lizard King to escape to a peaceful, happy life? What would he be doing now? That's the premise of The Poet In Exile: A Journey Into the Mystic, a new rock and roll novel by former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. He'll be online taking your questions and comments about the book and his memories of playing with one of the most influential bands of the 1960's.
Missed the live chat? Read the transcript below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Being a Doors fan from way back, I have read a number of books about the band, and each of the individual members. Of the ones that you have either read or are aware of, which ones come closest to capturing the facts of that time, and likewise, which ones should be avoided? Thanks, Steve.
Ray Manzarek: I would say the book by Ray Manzarek called "Light My Fire -- My Life with the Doors" gives the truest account.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: I would avoid books by people who never met Jim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effingham, IL : Are people born with the type of charisma that Jim Morrison possessed or is it an acquired trait? Was Jim aware of this incredible "power" he had?
Ray Manzarek: He acquired it after he opened the doors of perception, and so can you, buddy from Illinois.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presque Isle, Maine : Why did the band not have a bass player? Did Jim Morrison have the idea not to?
Ray Manzarek: My left hand was the bass player. I played the keyboard bass. It sounded full and fat, big and round in concerts. "Lefty" will be mad to hear you say we never had a bass player.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York, NY : Aren't you concerned that writing a book like this will stir up the conspiracy theorists?
Ray Manzarek: No. I think it's a very important spiritual journey that the poet takes, and we can all learn from his adventure. Who cares about silly conspiracy theories?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit : What do you think of the current state of rock music? Do you (like many people) see U2 as the last great arena rock band?
Ray Manzarek: I like electronica, trip hop, acid jazz, and trance. That's what I'm listening to today. I think electronica is the wave of the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: Yes, U2 is great.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston, MA : What really happened onstage that led to Jim Morrison's arrest on obscenity charges?
Ray Manzarek: Jim Morrison was arrested twice. In New Haven, the charges were inciting a riot. In Miami, he was not arrested on stage. Not until four days later was he charged with public profanity, public drunkenness, indecent exposure, and simulation of oral copulation. Think about those weird charges.
Now what really happened is explained in my book "Light My Fire: My Life withe the Doors". I tell you all about New Haven and Miami.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City, Missouri : Are there any opportunities for me to see you perform in my area?
Ray Manzarek: I was just in Chicago and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last week, playing and talking and signing my new book "The Poet in Exile". Wish you could have been there. But log on to thedoors.com. That's our Web site. They'll tell you where I'm going to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Ray: Once and for all, is Jim really dead or have you guys been jamming in secret all of these years? Brooklyn, New York
Ray Manzarek: Read my new book "The Poet in Exile". It's all about what would have happened to Jim had he lived.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denver, Colorado : I read your latest book and really liked it... do you have plans to write more fiction?
Ray Manzarek: Yes, and thank you. I will have a new book in the works in the next two months. Of course, they take about a year to write, but I plan on writing one about three college students on spring break who go to the desert in search of peyote....and find it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEMPE, AZ : WHAT NEW BEAT WRITER'S DO YOU RECOMMEND, SEEMS THE BEAT MOVEMENT HAS GONE UNDERGROUND AND LEFT PEOPLE OUT OF THE PIPELINE LOST?
Ray Manzarek: There are no new beat writers. That only existed in the 50s. However, read Alan Ginsburg, Michael McLure, Gary Snyder, Lou Welch, Philip Whalen, and of course, Jack Kerouac. It's up to us to be the new Beat writers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evansville, IN : Ray, first off thank you for the music. Second, thank you for the books. Now that's out of the way, is there any plans of you, Robby and John recording new material with any singers? Ever thought about collaborating anymore with Eddie Vedder? Thanks, Tommy Reid
Ray Manzarek: We're thinking about it. John and Robbie and I will actually rehearse together when I finish my book tour for "The Poet in Exile". Did you see the VH-1 storytellers special?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: We worked with a lot of cool guys.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York, NY : What would you believe to be the singlemost important contribution the Doors made to music?
Ray Manzarek: Opening the doors of perception, or advocating opening the doors of perception.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larpeer, MI : Ray, Obviously all of the performers you worked with on the VH-1 special are talented and successful muscicians -was there one or two that you especially enjoyed working with? Thanks, Mark
Ray Manzarek: They were all great. Each one had his own unique personality, but I particularly like Ian Astbury.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terre Haute, IN : Sorry to ask a question that you have probably been asked a million times but how accurate, in your opinion, was the movie "The Doors," considering you were there? Thanks, Jason
Ray Manzarek: Not accurate, in that Jim Morrison was made out to be a jerk. Val Kilmer did a good job of portraying Jim Morrison, but Oliver Stone made Jim seem insane and weird and a complete burnout. Jim was actually very funny, very warm, spiritual, poetic, and artistic. Oliver Stone missed that aspect of Jim. I'm going to someday give him a new place to make poopoo from, if only in the psychic sense. Ha ha ha.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermosa Beach, CA : Were the Doors ever the house band at the old Flying Jib in Redondo Beach? I seem to remember seeing you guys play there in . . . late 60s. Could have just been the drugs!!
Ray Manzarek: Probably the drugs. But Rick and the Ravens played the Flying Jib. That's my brother's surf band.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexandria, VA : One more try: do you believe the shaman in Jim? -Thanks, Pam
Ray Manzarek: Yes I did. It's obviously there, and you can see it in the movie. That's one of the parts I liked about the movie. I also liked the music and the color and the excitment in the movie, and the whole Indian mystical thing. I mean American Indian, of course.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London, England : I saw you play with Michael McClure at The Bottom Line? Do the two of you plan to do any shows in the UK?
Ray Manzarek: Not at the moment, but we would love to come over to the U.K. You guys understand poetry. It's a little hard here in the U.S. But maybe towards the end of 2002.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington, DC : Do the Doors take any responsibility for promoting drug use and irresponsible sexuality?
Ray Manzarek: Absolutely not. We promote the use of consciousness expansion substances. Drugs are heroin, cocaine, crystal meth. They're very bad for you. You should only open the doors of perception through hallucinagenics like mushrooms, peyote, mescaline, and other such things. But don't take them if you're at all afraid. If you're a good religious person, maybe you shouldn't take them either. However, if you want to find out the real meaning of life and that you're God and we're all at one with the universe, study yoga, meditate, or drop acid. No illicit sex. Keep your willy zipped up. We don't advocate promiscuity; we advocate love. Just like Jesus said "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself"!
www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-01-17-manzarek.htm
01/21/2005 - Updated 06:31 PM ET
Ray Manzarek
'The Poet In Exile': Ray Manzarek
Thursday, Jan. 17, 2:30 p.m. ET
Former Doors lead singer Jim Morrison died in his late 20's and is buried in Paris's Pere Lachaisse cemetary - right? What if his death was faked in order to allow the Lizard King to escape to a peaceful, happy life? What would he be doing now? That's the premise of The Poet In Exile: A Journey Into the Mystic, a new rock and roll novel by former Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. He'll be online taking your questions and comments about the book and his memories of playing with one of the most influential bands of the 1960's.
Missed the live chat? Read the transcript below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Being a Doors fan from way back, I have read a number of books about the band, and each of the individual members. Of the ones that you have either read or are aware of, which ones come closest to capturing the facts of that time, and likewise, which ones should be avoided? Thanks, Steve.
Ray Manzarek: I would say the book by Ray Manzarek called "Light My Fire -- My Life with the Doors" gives the truest account.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: I would avoid books by people who never met Jim.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effingham, IL : Are people born with the type of charisma that Jim Morrison possessed or is it an acquired trait? Was Jim aware of this incredible "power" he had?
Ray Manzarek: He acquired it after he opened the doors of perception, and so can you, buddy from Illinois.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presque Isle, Maine : Why did the band not have a bass player? Did Jim Morrison have the idea not to?
Ray Manzarek: My left hand was the bass player. I played the keyboard bass. It sounded full and fat, big and round in concerts. "Lefty" will be mad to hear you say we never had a bass player.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York, NY : Aren't you concerned that writing a book like this will stir up the conspiracy theorists?
Ray Manzarek: No. I think it's a very important spiritual journey that the poet takes, and we can all learn from his adventure. Who cares about silly conspiracy theories?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Detroit : What do you think of the current state of rock music? Do you (like many people) see U2 as the last great arena rock band?
Ray Manzarek: I like electronica, trip hop, acid jazz, and trance. That's what I'm listening to today. I think electronica is the wave of the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: Yes, U2 is great.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boston, MA : What really happened onstage that led to Jim Morrison's arrest on obscenity charges?
Ray Manzarek: Jim Morrison was arrested twice. In New Haven, the charges were inciting a riot. In Miami, he was not arrested on stage. Not until four days later was he charged with public profanity, public drunkenness, indecent exposure, and simulation of oral copulation. Think about those weird charges.
Now what really happened is explained in my book "Light My Fire: My Life withe the Doors". I tell you all about New Haven and Miami.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas City, Missouri : Are there any opportunities for me to see you perform in my area?
Ray Manzarek: I was just in Chicago and at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland last week, playing and talking and signing my new book "The Poet in Exile". Wish you could have been there. But log on to thedoors.com. That's our Web site. They'll tell you where I'm going to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Ray: Once and for all, is Jim really dead or have you guys been jamming in secret all of these years? Brooklyn, New York
Ray Manzarek: Read my new book "The Poet in Exile". It's all about what would have happened to Jim had he lived.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Denver, Colorado : I read your latest book and really liked it... do you have plans to write more fiction?
Ray Manzarek: Yes, and thank you. I will have a new book in the works in the next two months. Of course, they take about a year to write, but I plan on writing one about three college students on spring break who go to the desert in search of peyote....and find it!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEMPE, AZ : WHAT NEW BEAT WRITER'S DO YOU RECOMMEND, SEEMS THE BEAT MOVEMENT HAS GONE UNDERGROUND AND LEFT PEOPLE OUT OF THE PIPELINE LOST?
Ray Manzarek: There are no new beat writers. That only existed in the 50s. However, read Alan Ginsburg, Michael McLure, Gary Snyder, Lou Welch, Philip Whalen, and of course, Jack Kerouac. It's up to us to be the new Beat writers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evansville, IN : Ray, first off thank you for the music. Second, thank you for the books. Now that's out of the way, is there any plans of you, Robby and John recording new material with any singers? Ever thought about collaborating anymore with Eddie Vedder? Thanks, Tommy Reid
Ray Manzarek: We're thinking about it. John and Robbie and I will actually rehearse together when I finish my book tour for "The Poet in Exile". Did you see the VH-1 storytellers special?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment from Ray Manzarek: We worked with a lot of cool guys.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York, NY : What would you believe to be the singlemost important contribution the Doors made to music?
Ray Manzarek: Opening the doors of perception, or advocating opening the doors of perception.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larpeer, MI : Ray, Obviously all of the performers you worked with on the VH-1 special are talented and successful muscicians -was there one or two that you especially enjoyed working with? Thanks, Mark
Ray Manzarek: They were all great. Each one had his own unique personality, but I particularly like Ian Astbury.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Terre Haute, IN : Sorry to ask a question that you have probably been asked a million times but how accurate, in your opinion, was the movie "The Doors," considering you were there? Thanks, Jason
Ray Manzarek: Not accurate, in that Jim Morrison was made out to be a jerk. Val Kilmer did a good job of portraying Jim Morrison, but Oliver Stone made Jim seem insane and weird and a complete burnout. Jim was actually very funny, very warm, spiritual, poetic, and artistic. Oliver Stone missed that aspect of Jim. I'm going to someday give him a new place to make poopoo from, if only in the psychic sense. Ha ha ha.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hermosa Beach, CA : Were the Doors ever the house band at the old Flying Jib in Redondo Beach? I seem to remember seeing you guys play there in . . . late 60s. Could have just been the drugs!!
Ray Manzarek: Probably the drugs. But Rick and the Ravens played the Flying Jib. That's my brother's surf band.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexandria, VA : One more try: do you believe the shaman in Jim? -Thanks, Pam
Ray Manzarek: Yes I did. It's obviously there, and you can see it in the movie. That's one of the parts I liked about the movie. I also liked the music and the color and the excitment in the movie, and the whole Indian mystical thing. I mean American Indian, of course.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
London, England : I saw you play with Michael McClure at The Bottom Line? Do the two of you plan to do any shows in the UK?
Ray Manzarek: Not at the moment, but we would love to come over to the U.K. You guys understand poetry. It's a little hard here in the U.S. But maybe towards the end of 2002.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Washington, DC : Do the Doors take any responsibility for promoting drug use and irresponsible sexuality?
Ray Manzarek: Absolutely not. We promote the use of consciousness expansion substances. Drugs are heroin, cocaine, crystal meth. They're very bad for you. You should only open the doors of perception through hallucinagenics like mushrooms, peyote, mescaline, and other such things. But don't take them if you're at all afraid. If you're a good religious person, maybe you shouldn't take them either. However, if you want to find out the real meaning of life and that you're God and we're all at one with the universe, study yoga, meditate, or drop acid. No illicit sex. Keep your willy zipped up. We don't advocate promiscuity; we advocate love. Just like Jesus said "love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself"!
www.usatoday.com/community/chat/2002-01-17-manzarek.htm