10 Greatest Keyboardists Of All Time
5. Ray Manzarek
The Doors get a lot of credit for being one of the mainstream's first tastes of the 60's psychedelic rock scene. Each member of the band had a distinctive sound from Robbie Krieger's bluesy guitar licks to Jim Morrison's all-emcompassing stage presence. However, the real drive of the band always came from Ray Manzarek's piano.
From the band's beginnings, Manzarek's piano was right at the forefront of songs as he brought a different sonic character to songs like "Break on Through" and "The Crystal Ship." Because of the band's lack of a bass player, Manzarek's use of the piano bass live gave the band their signature off-kilter sound that made for some truly epic musical moments.
As the band progressed, songs became unintended showcases for Manzarek's genius like the opening classical section of "Light My Fire" and the break of "Touch Me." This all built up to one of the great piano songs of rock with "Riders on the Storm," where Manzarek is able to simulate great menace while making sonic depictions of rain falling on a window. With styles ranging from jazz to classical to hard rock, the Doors could do no wrong with a musical mastermind like Ray Manzarek in their ranks.