Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors

Light My Fire is one of several books I've read about The Doors and Jim Morrison. I picked this one to review not because it is the best, but because it was written by Ray, who was the first to recognize the potential in Jim Morrison - the poetic-singer/songwriter rock-star that required coaxing to emerge. Plus, I liked hearing about Ray's background and musical influences, as well as Jim's, Robby's and John's, which helped make the band so unique. The genius of The Doors and the iconic songs they created was the result of a collaborative effort, a forging of four band members into equal parts like a solid compass, or "a diamond," as Ray describes it. And this synergy, at times as unstable as some radioactive particle, made the experience brilliant and magical. Although each band member was essential, Jim Morrison, as John recently stated, was "the soul of The Doors."I was mesmerized when I heard their debut album in 1967. And I became intrigued with each album and by their story, specifically of Jim Morrison, who still fascinates me. I credit The Doors for inspiring me to become a poet and novelist. They created more than just songs. They were creating art. An amalgamation of musical styles and influences, mixed with poetry, drama and theater. Something oxymoronic, because it was both primeval and new.That said, it takes many viewpoints and perspectives from people who both researched Jim Morrison's trajectory and those who knew him personally to make any sense of who he really was. Some other good sources are: Riders on the Storm (by Densmore); No One Here Gets Our Alive (by Hopkins/Sugerman); Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend (by Davis); Angels Dance and Angels Die (by Butler); Love Him Madly (by Huddleston); The Doors: Unhinged (by Densmore); Jim Morrison: Dark Star (by Jones). I recommend all of these books. Along with Morrison's poetry, The Doors videos, and the Lost Interviews on audio. And of course the music.Jim Morrison was an enigma. Soft-spoken and shy. Boisterous and obnoxious. Smart and articulate. Confusing. Charming. Maddening. Brilliant. A visionary. An alcoholic. You want to love him and hate him all at the same time. He created a myth that strangely turned into a reality. And it destroyed him. The story of Jim Morrison plays out like a Greek tragedy. And one of his own making. If not consciously, he certainly, subconsciously, created the mythical Dionysian images to emerge, evolve and devolve for public viewing.Jim was someone who danced on fire. And by doing so created spectacular art in the process, and was burned out, immolated.R.I.P. Jim and Ray.

After reading almost every decent book on The Doors, I bought this one, which seems to be among the least popular in terms of reviews. I thought this to be among the best book I've read not only on the Doors but on the 60s in general. It's like a crash course in the 60s from a Hippy professor. Ray's book is unlike John Densmore's which book tends to run in circles a bit and focus more on him than the band because honestly Densmore was never really a close friend of Jim Morrison. Manzarek was with Morrison from the beginning and the two were actually good (best?) friends for a while until Jim started to spin out of control and hang with the wrong crowd. Something tells me if Jim hung out more with Ray, he wouldn't have spiraled out of control so quick. In fact, a lot of the time you can hear Ray yelling, 'Jim!!! Stop it!' in the live recordings of the band in concert. Manzarek seemed to have the best connection with Morrison out of the other members of the band.Manzarek gets a bad rap from the other members of the band on occasion because he tends to be a super optimist, which at the time seems to include turning a blind eye to Morrison's alchohol and drug problem. I think those who judge Ray for this don't know how difficult it is to live with an addict. It is not as simple as staging an intervention ... especially when the person is one of the most famous rock and rollers in the world. The thing about this book is Ray writes a bit more flowery than I'd like to read ... he tends to go overboard in terms of the language and tries to be something he is not. (the true mark of an ameteur writer) There are a LOT of parts and passages I found myself reading over though because they were so insightful and poignent. I was not born in the 60s/70s so I did not experience the whole hippy flower child movement. However I feel that Ray captures the spirit well in the book and describes it so I can understand the times.He has some off the wall theories about meditation and buddhism and religion as an earthy thing. But it is interesting philosophy. I especially liked the chapter about LSD because as someone too chicken to take the drug, I feel Manzarek explains its effects both on body and mind very well. Along the way there are a lot of personal stories about he and his wife and the period where The Doors were becoming famous. I feel like the end (no pun intended) was a bit glossed over ... he surely covers the upswing of The Doors much better than the downturn. But then again, there is Ray's optimism in full effect.I honestly have seen a few interviews where I thought Ray to be pompous, full of himself and boring ... but after reading this book, I think my mind has changed. Nobody would ever consider him to be modest after reading this ... and much of it does read as if Ray himself is sitting on a barstool next to you going on and on about stuff. But it is a good read (not the fastest) for the most part and is more interesting than boring. Ray's optimism and insights tend to put you in a good mood and most importantly, understand the situation more. It is doubtful Robby Kreiger will write a book. Densmore's book was so-so. Babe Hill's book that just came out sounds interesting ... but given he was a small part of the 'wrong crowd' that Ray describes, I don't know if I want to buy it or not. Say what you will but there is probably no single person who was closer to Jim Morrison than Ray Manzarek ... so he is the person I would trust to paint an accurate picture.Some of the antectdotes in this book were funny ... such as them going to the grocery store and Jim stealing groceries in his big pea coat in the middle of the summer. Some were poignent such as Ray telling a group of redneck friends of Jim's to leave him the heck alone. And others were surprising such as his admission that Jim Morrison several times tried to get John Densmore kicked out of the band because he did not like him. (taken with a grain of salt because I do know there was a bit of a fued between Densmore and Manzarek.I was lucky to see Ray twice in concert with Robbie the year before he passed away. The love of the music and his energy on stage was really something to see. RIP Ray ... you wrote one of the best books on The Doors and the 60's I've read ... glad he was able to share his story so well before going.

great book for fans of the doors and Jim Morrisons story

One of the best books about Jim Morrison and The Doors. Ray Manzerek is brilliant, even in his writing. Very intelligent and with a unique descriptive capacity. A deep look at someone who lived with Jim for a long time and who clearly understood what was going on around him. An intelligent analysis of Jim's behavior and an honest confession of his inability to change the course of events.

La vera storia dei doors che vuoi leggere..Ho percepito un sacco di amore in questo libro e onesta..

Good read, Ray has a real passion for his story and his writing is like he is talking to you. Well done. Can't wait to finish it.

著者のレイ・マンザレクは、ザ・ドアズの音楽を決定的に特徴付けたキーボード・プレイヤー。また、ジム・モリスンの才能を見出した大功労者である。レイ無くしてザ・ドアズはありえなかった。私はレイの経歴が知りたくて本書を入手した。レイは1939年にシカゴで生まれている。マンザレク家はポーランドからの移民で、レイは３代目。レイたち３兄弟は実直な父親と料理上手な母親の下で幸福に育っている。野球やバスケットボールなどのスポーツも楽しんでいる。レイは７歳か８歳の頃からピアノを始めている。両親はかなりの音楽好きで、マックスウェル・ストリートで黒人のレコードを買ったり、通りで演奏されている音楽を聴いたりしていた。レイ自身も、ほぼ黒人だけのジューク・ジョイントでマディ・ウォーターズのライヴを観ている。レイは、アルバート・アモンズやミード・ルクス・ルイスのブギウギ、マディ・ウォーターズ、ハウリン・ウルフ、ボ・ディドリー（“Who Do You Love”）、ジョン・リー・フッカー、エルヴィス・プレスリー、リトル・リチャード、チャック・ベリー(とジョニー・ジョンソン)、ドビュッシー、バッハ、ビル・エヴァンス、セロニアス・モンク（”Straight, No Chaser”）、ジョン・コルトレーン（"Ole"）、ハービー・ハンコック（”Watermelon Man”）などの音楽に親しんでいる。レイはUCLAで映画を専攻しており、映画についての話もある。「ウエストサイド物語」、黒澤明の作品などを気に入っている。これらの体験から芸術面に進もうと決意し、それはジム・モリスンも同様だったと述べている。ジムは、テネシー・ウィリアムズ（「欲望という名の電車」で有名な劇作家）やイングマール・ベルイマン（「第七の封印」の監督）のファンで、「羅生門」（黒澤明監督）を観ていた。ジムは文学青年で、例えば“End Of The Night”の一節はウィリアム・ブレイクの詩からの引用である。レイが中心となっての、レコード会社への売り込みの苦労の描写がある。何度も落とされているが、挫けなかった。また、レイは従軍経験があり、沖縄に来たことがある。残念な点は索引がないところだが、Kindle版は検索が容易なので、ある程度その欠点を補っている。ちなみにHowlin’ Wolfは10箇所、Chuck Berryは6箇所、Miles Davisは5箇所ある。ザ・ドアズのファンのみならず、1940年代〜70年代の米国の生活に関心のある人には有益。