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YEREVAN, MAY 21, ARMENPRESS: Ray Manzarek, keyboard player and founder member of the 1960s rock band The Doors, has died aged 74. As reported by Armenpress, quoting BBC, Manzarek, who had battled bile duct cancer for many years, died in a clinic in Rosenheim, Germany, with his wife and brothers at his bedside.
He formed the band with lead singer Jim Morrison in 1965 after a chance meeting in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
The Doors found fame in the 1960s with hits such as The End, Break on Through to the Other Side and Hello I Love You. They sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and Manzarek became one of the best-known keyboardists of his era, his artistry coloring tracks like Riders on the Storm and Light my Fire.
In his later years, Manzarek played in other bands and, in 1998, wrote a best-selling memoir, Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors.
Drummer John Densmore paid tribute to Manzarek, saying he felt "totally in sync" with his "musical brother".
"There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words," he added.
Guitarist Robbie Krieger, who continued to play with Manzarek following Morrison's death on 3 July 1971, said he was "deeply saddened" to hear the news.
"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," he said.
The original line-up, which included drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robbie Krieger, made six albums in their six years together.
The death of Morrison, who died of heart failure in a bath in Paris, effectively spelled the end for the band, although Chicago-born Manzarek took on singing duty.