He has recorded with a Beatle, he has won a Grammy, he has been a member of not one, but two bands, that will be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, AND he had a role in a Muppets movie. Dave Grohl is living the life, and here is one more thing that he can say he did, that we will never be able to do!
"Ray Manzarek, Founding Member of The Doors, Passes Away at 74
Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, passed away today at 12:31PM PT at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany after a lengthy battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his wife Dorothy Manzarek, and his brothers Rick and James Manczarek.
Manzarek is best known for his work with The Doors who formed in 1965 when Manzarek had a chance encounter on Venice Beach with poet Jim Morrison. The Doors went on to become one of the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s, selling more than 100-million albums worldwide, and receiving 19 Gold, 14 Platinum and five multi-Platinum albums in the U.S. alone. "L.A.Woman," "Break On Through to the Other Side," "The End," "Hello, I Love You," and "Light My Fire" were just some of the band's iconic and ground-breaking songs. After Morrison's death in 1971, Manzarek went on to become a best-selling author, and a Grammy-nominated recording artist in his own right. In 2002, he revitalized his touring career with Doors' guitarist and long-time collaborator, Robby Krieger.
"I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today," said Krieger. "I'm just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him."
Manzarek is survived by his wife Dorothy, brothers Rick and James Manczarek, son Pablo Manzarek, Pablo's wife Sharmin and their three children Noah, Apollo and Camille. Funeral arrangements are pending. The family asks that their privacy be respected at this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, please make a memoriam donation in Ray Manzarek's name at www.standup2cancer.org"
Chris and Ben from Soundgarden were in town last week, and spent the afternoon with AAF Army members, performing acoustic at The Sinclair in Harvard Square. The room looked amazing, they sounded great, and everyone had a front row seat! If you weren't lucky enough to win your way in, check out the videos!
According to the band members, Chester Bennignton is the NEW singer of STP. However, he is also still the lead singer of Linkin Park!
There are many people in Rock N Roll pulling double duty, like Dave Grohl, Corey Taylor, and now Chester Bennington!
Hear the first release from the new lineup below. The song is called 'Out of Time', and is FREE to download!
Thanks to Lzzy and the boys for stopping by the WAAF video studio, and for having a little fun at the front desk!
Watch both parts of my interview with Halestorm below!
So, we had a lot to talk about. Since he grew up in Haverhill, I had to ask him his thoughts on the Boston Marathon bombing, we talked music, relationships, Halloween costumes, the debate over dogs wearing clothes, and so much more!
This week has been tough for everyone, but it was especially hard for people born and raised in Boston. To have some that we love so much, like the Boston Marathon tarnished the way that is was this week, could have broken our spirit... But it didn't. Sully Erna (Godsmack) called into the show today, during the manhunt to lend his support to everyone at home!
We have adopted Corey Taylor (Stone Sour/Slipknot) as a fellow Bostonian, and in doing so... We have welcomed him into our family! Today, as Boston was the focus of worldwide news, Corey called to check in on his adoptive family and lend his support!
Corey, thank you for thinking of all of us in Boston, we love you!
I cannot wait to hear the rest of their new album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, especially if Hollow, and Stone are any inclination of how the rest will sound! Those songs ROCK! The Alice In Chains album isn't due out on May 28, so until then... Here are some live versions of the new songs, and a classic thrown in too! Enjoy!