moderator says, "Greetings and salutations chatters and welcome to tonight's live chat with Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors! It's Monday, November 17 and you are chatting live on the Universal Chat Network. I'm Jeremy Berg and I'll be your moderator for the evening."
moderator says, "Joining me tonight are my partners in crime, Tony Liu and Michael Contreras. Tony, my trusty screener, will sift through the endless array of questions that you, the chat audience, submit. He's the guy who determines whether your questions live or die, so be sure to make um good. Michael spends all of his time slamming away at the keyboard. This guy is so fast he makes "The Flash" look like a snail."
moderator says, "All right folks, let's move onto tonight's live celebrity chat."
moderator says, "Tonight is both an honor and a treat for all of us here at Universal Chat. The reason for this is that Ray Manzarek will be here tonight!!!"
moderator says, "Ray Manzarek grew up playing bass and jazz piano before leaving to attend film school at UCLA. On a hot summer day in July of '65, shortly after graduating with a Master's Degree in Cinematography, Manzarek ran into a former film school colleague on the beach in Venice, California. The friend, Jim Morrison, said he had been writing songs and on request, began reciting the opening lines of "Moonlight Drive." "That's it!" said Manzarek. "Those are the best rock n' roll lyrics I've ever heard." At that moment, The Doors were born."
moderator says, "Six years later, it was suddenly over. But The Doors have forever engraved the cornerstone of rock n' roll with their music. Manzarek, an innovative musician who played bass keyboard and organ while performing with The Doors, has consistently maintained a high degree of visibility as both a producer and musician since the group disbanded. He has produced four albums by the critically acclaimed Los Angeles band "X" and has recorded several solo albums, including a collaboration with Philip Glass."
moderator says, "In 1983, Manzarek turned his attention to the rapidly developing home video industry. Using his technical knowledge learned from his days at UCLA, Manzarek began production on MCA/Universal Home Video's The Doors: Dance on Fire*. He directed this critically acclaimed program along with The Doors: Live At the Hollywood Bowl* and The Soft Parade - A Retrospective*. "Back at UCLA, my goal was not to be a rock musician. I wanted to be a filmmaker," Manzarek said. "Working on those projects gave me an opportunity to combine two of the things I love most: directing and The Doors.""
moderator says, "Ladies and gentleman…….it's chat time!!! Without any further ado, please welcome Mr. Ray Manzarek!!!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #14 from spicoli:
        First off, I have to say that I think you're truly a brilliant person. I noticed that one of your personal favorite Doors song is Lost Little Girl (it's mine to). Can you explain why that one is one of your favorites?
Ray Manzarek says, "It's one third of my trilogy to Jim and Pam:  The Romeo and Juliet of Califonria."
Ray Manzarek says, "I love them very much.,"
Ray Manzarek says, "And miss them very much."
Ray Manzarek says, "But they are together in the ether."
Ray Manzarek says, "That's RObbie's song."
Ray Manzarek says, "It's part of my trilogy called Tragic Love.  The others are Unhappy Girl and"
Ray Manzarek says, "I Can't See Her Face in my Mind."
moderator presents the speaker with question #19 from Smoken:
        Did you find the movie "The Doors" acurate in terms of the bands history
Ray Manzarek says, "No accurate.  It's accurate in terms of the Doors' history, but not accurate in terms"
Ray Manzarek says, "of Jim Morrison."
Ray Manzarek says, "Many things are wrong with the Doors' movie."
Ray Manzarek says, "Jim was not a drunken jerk!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Jim burning up Pam in the closet never happened."
Ray Manzarek says, "Jim throwing a television set at Ray never happened!"
Ray Manzarek says, "The car commercial on TV never happened."
Ray Manzarek says, "The big fight after Ray and Dorothy's wedding never happened."
Ray Manzarek says, "etc., etc., etc. . . ."
Ray Manzarek says, "Big fabrications; Oliver "White Powder Ma" Stone:  That's my nickname for him.  And that"
Ray Manzarek says, "comes from that movie with MIckey Rourke in Chinatown, the Year of the Dragon."
Ray Manzarek says, "They go to THailand to make a purchase from White Powder Ma. . ."
Ray Manzarek says, "Got iT?"
Ray Manzarek says, "Nuff said!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #31 from xhead:
        Do you still sit down by the piano and play Doors songs?
Ray Manzarek says, "Yes as  amatter of fact.  I just played some yesterday!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I played Love Her Madly just for me!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I was going over the chord changes and using a harpochord sound and put that on a chorus; and"
Ray Manzarek says, "it sounded great!  I played it for about a half hour, knocking myself out!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I love the Doors!  Great music!  I enjoy playing it."
moderator presents the speaker with question #32 from KingKikapu:
        I collect lots of live tapes from other bands, and am just starting to get some doors live tapes.  What are the top 5 shows in your opinion?
Ray Manzarek says, "Madison Square Garden;"
Ray Manzarek says, "Detroit Cobo Hall;"
Ray Manzarek says, "Miami, that ONE!"
Ray Manzarek says, "The Aquarius Theatre in Los Angeles."
Ray Manzarek says, "Madison Square Garden is available on the Doors box set."
Ray Manzarek says, "and is called "Live from New York"."
moderator presents the speaker with question #43 from TheChangeling:
        Do you like the web?
Ray Manzarek says, "No."
Ray Manzarek says, "I don't surf often.  I love it, though.  I think it's fabulous.  I can never get on the comjputer."
Ray Manzarek says, "My sojn Pablo's on it all the time."
moderator presents the speaker with question #44 from Holy Sha:
        Why didn't you include the tunes paris Blues, studio version of celebration of The Lizard, or 66' Indian Summer?
Ray Manzarek says, "Indian Summer has already been released on MOrrison Hotel."
Ray Manzarek says, "Celebration of the Lizard, studio, we can't find it."
Ray Manzarek says, "And Paris Blues we're gonna use it some other time."
moderator presents the speaker with question #54 from Mojo/www.the-doors.com:
        Ray, what are your thoughts on noncommercial web sites that feature The Doors, specifically regarding the use of copyrighted pictures, lyrics, etc?
Ray Manzarek says, "I guess there's nothing wrong with it.  Copyrights exist to protect the artists; so if you're using the artist's copyright,"
Ray Manzarek says, "you're violating the artist's work.  As long as you don't sell it, I see nothing wrong with it."
moderator presents the speaker with question #58 from MelvinM:
        Ray, how did "Light My Fire" come about--both lyrically and musically?  I understand that Robby Kreiger wrote the lyrics.  How did you come up with the keyboard arrangement for it?  I think the song still holds up 30 years later.
Ray Manzarek says, "I studied music; I played piano for 20  years."
Ray Manzarek says, "I thihnk that's what you have to do:  you have to practice, practice, practice."
Ray Manzarek says, "So, Robby came in with the song and then we all went to work on it.  The Doors' communal mind"
Ray Manzarek says, "took over.  Johnb Densmore put the latin beats on it; Jim put the second verse in it."
Ray Manzarek says, "I put the solos and the introduction to it and Robby was the original song writer.  And that's how"
Ray Manzarek says, "it all cam e about."
Ray Manzarek says, "There was a period of time where we had individual credits on songs staring with the Soft Parade."
Ray Manzarek says, "It was a communal group mind that created the songs.  Sopmeone would come in with the basicd idea and"
Ray Manzarek says, "then the other three guys would go to work on it and create the final version.  So we all did it"
Ray Manzarek says, "together."
moderator presents the speaker with question #60 from parasite:
        are there plans to release further unreleased materials in the future?
Ray Manzarek says, "Not at this particular time, but we do have other stuff."
Ray Manzarek says, "And. . . we may . . . or . ."
Ray Manzarek says, "we may not. . ."
moderator presents the speaker with question #61 from SirZeus:
        What is so controversial about the "Gloria" video released on the new "Best of The Doors" video?
Ray Manzarek says, "Sex."
Ray Manzarek says, "The only thing controversial is ssex.  It's always sex.  They wouldn't show it on MTV.  It's always Sex.  It's"
Ray Manzarek says, "new footage."
Ray Manzarek says, "A newly produced video using footage from the 60s and new footage of people's body parts."
Ray Manzarek says, "The body parts were offensive:  they implied sexual intercourse."
Ray Manzarek says, "There's a home video out called The Best of the Doors on Universal Home Video.  It's about an"
Ray Manzarek says, "hour and 20 minutes long and it's in the stores NOW!"
Ray Manzarek says, "And it's $14.95."
Ray Manzarek says, "It includes the Doors on the Ed SUllivan Show doing Light my Fire.  It includes, Touch Me,"
Ray Manzarek says, "it Includes L.A. Woman"
Ray Manzarek says, "a new vfideo for Strange Days."
Ray Manzarek says, "From Ray in Los ANgeles:  Hi Ray!  I really dig your piaino playing:  How did Robbie get a black eye on the"
Ray Manzarek says, "Ed Sullivan Show, or the SMOthers' Brothers show?"
Ray Manzarek says, "Back in the 60's it was dangerous to have long hair.  Rednecks would beat you up because you were"
Ray Manzarek says, "considered un-American.  If you had long hair, it meant you were against the war in Vietnam."
Ray Manzarek says, "And REAL "Americans" love killing!"
Ray Manzarek says, "They love booze!  Drinking!  WHiskey!  and they love guns!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Instead, the hippies like to get high on pot and then"
Ray Manzarek says, "they like to make love and dance and make music and sing and have a good time!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Hippies were against killing."
Ray Manzarek says, "So, three rednecks got in a fight with Jim and Robbie down the street from the Doors' office at a bar"
moderator presents the speaker with question #78 from SirZeus:
        If you could see Jim one last time, what would you say to him?
Ray Manzarek says, "Where have you been, fool?"
Ray Manzarek says, "Have you stopped drinking?"
moderator presents the speaker with question #84 from Quebecois:
        At the Dooors peak, did you guys believed that you were the very best band in the world?
Ray Manzarek says, "Well, we knew we were right up there.  I think there's no such thing as a "peak", I think there's a level"
Ray Manzarek says, "of expertise that one has to attain and at that level were Jimi Hendrix, the Beatles, the Stones, Janice"
Ray Manzarek says, "Joplin, Bob Dylan and the Doors."
moderator presents the speaker with question #103 from Astralplane:
        What was your favorite song to do live?
Ray Manzarek says, "Light my Fire."
Ray Manzarek says, "We got to do the longest solos!"
Ray Manzarek says, "And Jim got to take a beer break in the middle of the song.  You could alway so**** on Ray and Robbie"
Ray Manzarek says, "playing at least 10 minutes.  So there was plenty of time for Jim to get back stage and get himself"
Ray Manzarek says, "a beer to whet his whistle."
moderator presents the speaker with question #108 from Tshark:
        Are you surprised by staying power of The Doors' Music?
Ray Manzarek says, "Yes I am!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I knew the Doors were good, but when we first got started I had no idea we'd be talking about the Doors"
Ray Manzarek says, "30 years later.  I'm very pleased and very happy that the fans are as smart as they are today, because"
Ray Manzarek says, "it takes brains to appreciate Doors' music!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #114 from IN4SER:
        Do you know what happened to Andy & Anne Morrison? Sister and Brother?
Ray Manzarek says, "Andy lives in Hawaii and Anne is happily married and lives in Orange County or San Diego County,"
Ray Manzarek says, "California."
moderator presents the speaker with question #128 from ricky38:
        question What's Robbie doing these days?
Ray Manzarek says, "Robbie is playing jazz with the Robbie Krieger Organization."
moderator presents the speaker with question #154 from dante levenom:
        do you ever get to check out any of the cover bands
Ray Manzarek says, "Yes!  And they're quite good.  I especially like the band here in L.A. , Wild Child, but I've"
Ray Manzarek says, "also seen The Soft Parade in New York and they're good."
Ray Manzarek says, "I like the cover bands."
moderator presents the speaker with question #143 from Mr.GoodTrips:
        what tempted you to pick up a guitar when recording 'Been Down So Long'...did you dig playing guitar too?!
Ray Manzarek says, "Yes!  Absolutely!  I'm glad you caught that!  I love playing the guitar.  Not much, though.  All I can play is an"
Ray Manzarek says, "A, a B a D Minor."
Ray Manzarek says, "That song was my opportunity to play my half-dozen guitar licks.  Thanks for noticing!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #163 from Jinxed:
        What do you think of the music fads today?
Ray Manzarek says, "I like the music today.  I like the teckno ambience, electronic dance music!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I like Future Sounds of London and I like Chemical Brothers, Goldie, Tricky is good and"
Ray Manzarek says, "my son has a band, Pablo, Nick and Zak Young, called Artificial Intelligence.  Hopefully, you'll"
Ray Manzarek says, "hear something from them soon."
moderator presents the speaker with question #171 from CMarble:
        I love your solo in the song " Take it as it comes", and I think this is the hardest one. What can you say about this solo?
Ray Manzarek says, "That's Bach!"
Ray Manzarek says, "That's classical studies!"
Ray Manzarek says, "You have to study J.S. Bach."
Ray Manzarek says, "That helps to play that type of stuff."
Ray Manzarek says, "So, practice, practice, practice!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #169 from Lizard Kiing:
        do you love to hear your music on the radio tv etc
Ray Manzarek says, "Of course!  What musician wouldn't want to hear his music on the radio?"
moderator presents the speaker with question #225 from Crystal Queene:
        Have you read P.S. Kiss the Duchess For Me...it tells the story of a real Unknown Soldier...
Ray Manzarek says, "I haven't read that."
moderator presents the speaker with question #13 from spicoli:
        What was it like working with X? And, what is your favorite X album?
Ray Manzarek says, "X was fabulous!  The best punk rock band in America!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Nobody could play guitar like Billy Zoom!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Nobody could write lyrics like Exene and John Doe."
Ray Manzarek says, "No one could crack a snare harder than Don Bonebreak."
Ray Manzarek says, "And, I don't know that I have a favorite X album, I think the four albums that I produced with X"
Ray Manzarek says, "are all my favorites."
Ray Manzarek says, "BUt I do love the first one:  Los Angeles because I got to play organ with them."
Ray Manzarek says, "What fun that was!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Soul Kitchen's on that one."
moderator presents the speaker with question #36 from TheChangeling:
        Ray what happened to Paris Blues?
Ray Manzarek says, "Paris BLues will be out some day; we're going to use it in another context."
Ray Manzarek says, "Paris Blues is an outtake from the L.A. Woman session and we had originally talked about including"
Ray Manzarek says, "it in thte box set, but we're saving it for another use."
Ray Manzarek says, "It's a blues song; it's not that special, but it's going to fit in with another concept"
Ray Manzarek says, "I have in mind.  It's a funky blues"
moderator presents the speaker with question #243 from Tshark:
        Besides Jim's family, how involved were all of your parents in what you were doing?
Ray Manzarek says, "No parents were involved in anything we did!"
Ray Manzarek says, "You know what?  All of our parents did  abrilliant job!  They made us, they raised us, they fed us!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Clothed us, birped us and cleaned our dirty little diapers!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I love my mother and father and the rest of the guys love their mothers and fathers, too."
Ray Manzarek says, "They loved the Doors.  Robbie's father and mother came to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony."
Ray Manzarek says, "My mother and father came to Doors' shows.  John Densmore's mother and father saw Doors' shows."
Ray Manzarek says, "Only Jim's parents never saw Doors shows.  I Spoke to Jim's mother.  She's a lovely woman.  I've"
Ray Manzarek says, "never met his father."
moderator presents the speaker with question #246 from blackcoyote:
        are there anymore hidden jewels for another great video project
Ray Manzarek says, "We have a great video project coming up, but I'm not at liberty to tell you about it!"
Ray Manzarek says, "It's going to be the story of the Doors, as told by Ray, John and Robbie!"
Ray Manzarek says, "The real story!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Psychedelic!  Mystical and Rock!!!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #123 from bluesunday:
        /ask  According to Greg Shaw and his wonderful book, "The Doors on the Road," there are still a variety of excellent Doors soundboards from the 1970 tour that have never been released in their entirety. Doors fans are eager for more complete and unedited live Doors performances. Can we expect any future releases?
Ray Manzarek says, "Greg Shaw is wrong.  The book is wonderful, but as far as unrelesaed stuff, there's not that much."
Ray Manzarek says, "However, we'll see if we cdan come4 up with what you guys are looking for."
Ray Manzarek says, "On the other hand, that's why you have all those damned bootlegs!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Those French and Italian "coke money bootlegs"!"
Ray Manzarek says, "That's the French connection.  Laundering money by making bootlegs."
Ray Manzarek says, "But, you guys get to hear them; unfortunately, a lot of the money goes to the Mafia."
Ray Manzarek says, "And that's the truth."
moderator presents the speaker with question #259 from perception123:
        howcome Light my fire isnt on the box set...Did you actually not do that in New York or was it omitted!??
Ray Manzarek says, "We didn't want to have it twice.  It's on the disc called "Band's Favorites" and it was so long, we didn't"
Ray Manzarek says, "want to have it twice."
moderator presents the speaker with question #270 from blackcoyote:
        how was it like creating your solo spoken words album?
Ray Manzarek says, "That was fun!"
Ray Manzarek says, "That was  alot like this.  Just talking about the Doors."
moderator presents the speaker with question #83 from tgrisier:
        What was the most difficult song to record. Both personally and technically.
Ray Manzarek says, "Celebration of the Lizard."
Ray Manzarek says, "We never did get that great studio taqke."
Ray Manzarek says, "But we played the hell out of it live!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Studio life:  focusing on the music.  You're in the studio to make music.  Partying, you can to anywhere."
Ray Manzarek says, "I think bands that party too much in the studio are ridiculous."
moderator presents the speaker with question #288 from The Crystal Ship:
        Are there any of Jim or your films from UCLA hangin' around somewhere?
Ray Manzarek says, "Jim's film is gone; lost."
Ray Manzarek says, "My student movies are on the Doors' laser disc."
Ray Manzarek says, "Called, the Doors' Collection."
Ray Manzarek says, "On Universal Home Video!"
Ray Manzarek says, "The laserdisc has two of my movies and Jim appears briefly."
Ray Manzarek says, "In one of them."
moderator presents the speaker with question #258 from Holy Sha:
        What was it like jamming to "Gloria" with you guys along with Van Morrison at the Whiskey in 66'?
Ray Manzarek says, "Absolutely incredible!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Jim Morrison and Van Morrison on the same stage at the same time singing Gloria."
Ray Manzarek says, "Man!  It was unique."
Ray Manzarek says, "It may have been the best time I've ever had!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Well, almost . . ."
Ray Manzarek says, "making love to Dorothy is better than that!"
moderator presents the speaker with question #279 from second coming:
        what would jim think of the corporate beast the doors have turned into today?
Ray Manzarek says, "Who says it's a corporate beast?"
Ray Manzarek says, "Let me put it this way:  Second coming we don't need you this time, we're all the Messiah this time."
Ray Manzarek says, "Yoi're obsolete;  IN the new age, all of us are the Messiah and it's the first time around."
Ray Manzarek says, "There will be no second coming."
Ray Manzarek says, "I resent your question."
moderator presents the speaker with question #311 from SirZeus:
        what book do you think gives a strong accurate account of the doors the best? (Besides myth and reality which I commend you strongly on)
Ray Manzarek says, "Thank you.  Myth and reality is an album I made talking about the Doors and Jim."
Ray Manzarek says, "My book gives the best account which will be coming out next summer.  I just finished the first"
Ray Manzarek says, "draft four days ago."
Ray Manzarek says, "It's going to be out on Putnam in the summer of '98."
Ray Manzarek says, "It will tell you about the Doors from Ray Manzarek's perspective."
moderator presents the speaker with question #119 from SundayTrucker:
        What are your plans for the future?  Films?  Music?
Ray Manzarek says, "The book of course.  I'm planning on directing a movie.  If everything goes right."
Ray Manzarek says, "I might do one called "L.A. Woman".  It'll be independent!"
Ray Manzarek says, "I've got another one called The Road Man about 3 college boys going to the desert to take peyote."
Ray Manzarek says, "And meeting ujp with some Native Americans who are members of the Native American church."
Ray Manzarek says, "One more film I want to do is called The Art of Murder."
Ray Manzarek says, "It takes place on a college campus; 3 guys are all in love with the same girl; one is a teacher, two are"
Ray Manzarek says, "art students; one a sculptur, the other a TV Video artist. and the Girl, THE FOX, is an actress who"
Ray Manzarek says, "has driven them all mad with lust and a murder has been committed. . ."
moderator says, "That's going to wrap it up for the evening. Our thanks go out to Ray Manzarek for taking the time to chat with us tonight! Be sure to check out the latest Doors CD box set and home video releases!!!!"
Ray Manzarek says, "THanks everyone!  THanks for being Doors' fans; Thanks for being good people!"
Ray Manzarek says, "Thanks for being smart people!  Now:  Just LOVE One another!  As Jim said:  Love, Love, Love"
Ray Manzarek says, "Is The ANswer."
Ray Manzarek says, "Over and Out."