RIP Ray. Your organ part in Light My Fire is a total classic keyboard performance.

Wonderful Wurlitzer electric piano.

R.I.P. Ray Manzerek

Nigel, I would bet my studio that it was a Rhodes, and not a Wurli. I'm sure someone will post a link, or repost some other expert's quote, but my ears tell me it's an early 70s Rhodes with the softer, felt tips. Rubber has amore distinct bite that this song doesn't have. Such a classic song, and performance.

Ray explains Light My Fire during the video...

... and there you have it. In Ray's own words @ 0:42

Another great gone. He helped keep keyboards in the spotlight of rock.

Quite an ear you have there, Dave ...

RIP, Ray ...

Loved how he explained the creation of a song ...

Was just doing some research and saw that this past Wednesday was the 7th anniversary of his passing ...

Yes he passed in 2013, I too say RIP Ray. Love that video of him talking about "Riders on the Storm."

Here's a flash back to August 12, 1967 when I was 15. My cousin a student at Columbia where Simon and Garfunkel were also students took his soon wife to be and another cousin to a concert at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Flushing Meadows.

Not only was Simon and Garfunkel on stage but the Doors were the band that came on first. I'd like to roll back in time knowing what I know and see them again.

I thought Ray passed away some time ago.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Manzarek

He's the reason why I decided to play the organ. I never was able to afford a Vox Continental organ at the time. I had to settle for a Farfisa Compact Duo.... "In A Gadda-Da-Vida" instead. I learned both tunes by heart.

I always preferred the Wurlitzer electric pianos over the Fender Rhodes.... Donny Hathaway. "Riders On The Storm" did sound better on a Rhodes. The Wurly keyboard action was much more comfortable and easy to play.

Now we can experience all four different models in one keyboard or software synth. For a fraction of the price as well. Not to mention not having to cart around a Hammond B-3 and Leslie 122.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were referring to the anniversary of his death rather than current events.

I do miss a great musician tho.... Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.

Yeah you are absolutely correct. I was thinking of Supertramp. But yes Riders On The Storm is definitely a Rhodes piano sound.

LOVE that Supertramp Wurli sound!

Am fond of both the Rhodes and the Whirly. Have both. The Wurlitzer I got in 1959 right after hearing What'd I Say. Had to have one.

When my long time partner's arthritis was too much to continue playing foot pedals, I got the Rhodes finger bass Ray used.

When Tom died, I easily replaced the finger bass with left-hand on a Hammond.

This guy was a real piece of modern music history.


Russ

Russ, just curious how is maintaining the Wurlitzer over the years? Does it require much maintenance?

Don't play it much. Reeds are fragile and hard to find.

Neat old toy, though.

I'd never use this one for a house job.

Do use it occasionally for recording.

r.