Locals Pay Tribute to the Late Ray Manzarek, Co-Founder of the Doors

Keyboardist Ray Manzarek, who co-founded the rock band The Doors in 1965, died Monday at RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, after a long battle with bile duct cancer, which was kept largely secret. He was 74.

Manzarek, who created some of the most signature keyboard melodies in rock history, spent quite a bit of time in the Bay Area in recent years, living in Napa Valley, according to the bio on his website.

Manzarek performed a number of times in Mill Valley in recent years, including a 2011 gig with old friend and poet Michael McClure, as well as saxophonist George Brooks, bassist Kai Eckhardt and drummer Jay Lane, at 142 Throckmorton Theatre. The group also performed at the Sweetwater Music Hall in 2012, and was joined on both occasions by Grateful Dead legend Bob Weir.

"We bow our heads in the passing of Ray Manzarek," 142 Throckmorton Founder Lucy Mercer wrote in an email. "He climbed our stage many times - with Michael McClure, with Ben Fong-Torres. It never took long for the stage to light on fire with poems and piano improvisations - Michael and he had a way of silently conversing - inviting the audience into their private concert. On one night here Ben brought out questions  - curiously probing their book The Doors on the Doors - Ray's stories kept the audience riveted for a few hours. Ben was giddy at the end. Safe journeys Ray - we will miss you."

The Sweetwater also paid Manzarek tribute on its Facebook page: "RIP Ray Manzarek, a true musical legend. We're grateful that you graced our stage last fall. Break on through, brother, and tell Jim we said hello."

Do you have any memories of Ray Manzarek and The Doors to share? Tell us in the Comments below.