To mark the 50th anniversary of “Light My Fire” hitting No. 1, Fresh Air listens back to an interview with the band’s keyboardist, who died in 2013. Originally broadcast in 1998. Click to listen.
“Is everybody in?” John Densmore of the Doors asked the crowd gathered Friday night at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Standing beside him was his old friend and musical partner, guitarist Robby Krieger, who added, “Let the ceremony begin.” SIDEBAR Ray Manzarek Through the Years » The words were lifted from the band’s 1970 tune “Celebration …
“Basically the Doors were a solid unit because we believed in our music so any little things that came up would just be day-to-day shit.” –Ray Manzarek speaking with Sounds, December 1973.
“To remember the lyrics he would think of melodies and then they would stay in his head. He had melodies and lyrics in his head, and he would sing them a cappella, and we would eke out the arrangements.” – Ray Manzarek on Jim’s songwriting process.