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Title: Light My Fire: My Life With the Doors by Ray Manzarek ISBN: 0-425-17045-4 Publisher: Berkley Pub Group Pub. Date: March, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.78 (82 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: Plays Keyboards Way Better than He Uses It for Words
Comment: I suppose the book would be VERY readable if one were completely zonked on acid throughout....Most people just don't write, think, read or speak the way Ray writes. Well, most people post-1968...
There is a "charm" factor to the nostalgia, and The Doors often bordered on genius. But Morrison DID succumb to excesses, and Ray soft-pedals everything stupid, self-destructive, boring and depressing about him. It is as if he is afraid to somehow "betray" sex/drugs/rock-and-roll so it is better to adopt an "orthodox" hippie party-line...
O.K...acid is great -- I'm going to guess Ray encourages judicious use of the same for his family? -- and Jim's death was...some sort of cosmic coincidence not really caused by lots and lots of alcohol and/or stupid behaviors.
Anyway...if you want to read a really honest book about The Doors, read the John Densmore's book. He pointed out, quite accurately (it would seem), that one never knew if one was going to be dealing with Jim the Poet and Genius, on a given day, or Jimbo, The Raving Alcoholic Idiot.
I guess that's not as mystical and uplifting though...
Rating: 5
Summary: A very enjoyable read w/ previously unrevealed insights.
Comment: Having been a lifelong Doors fan from age 11 (1966), I found the book to be thoroughly enjoyable. Having also read almost every other book written about the band I particularly appreciated the unique insights that only Ray could provide. The details and nuances of how the songs were written and recorded, down to keys, chords and inspirations for the actual licks and riffs the band played. I also particularly enjoyed the excitement that Ray captures as the Doors were born and sky-rocketed to the top. It recalls the actual feelings I had the first time I heard "Light My Fire" and looked at the radio and said - "Whoa, what a sound! A song like I've never heard before!" The very human and touching recollections, feelings and the descriptions of the real Jim Morrison that none of us will sadly ever know are captured here like no other author could have. The sadness and loss all Doors fans felt when we heard Jim had died are also powerfully portrayed. I like other reviewers felt the book should and could have been longer. Maybe the writing of the end times was just too emotionally draining for Ray that he had to end it. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of Ray's life in Chicago, how he discovered the blues and jazz and how they contributed to his unique keyboard style which was the essence of the band with the most unique sound of any band from that era. Those readers who disliked the "preaching" aspect of the book should perhaps be less defensive and really listed to what Ray is saying about life, love and philosophy. Much is to be learned here that could benefit our modern times. To this day I am proud of the fact that a Doors song has never been used for a commercial, they way so many great songs have been, and I hope Ray and the other Doors never let that happen, as Jim so effectivly did (described by Ray - i.e.; Buick/Light My Fire). All in all - a great book for Doors fans or anyone who wants to know what the 60s were really like and to learn the inspiration behind the art of the Doors. Thanks Ray!
Rating: 3
Summary: Of the Doors, Ray was the closest to him.
Comment: Mainly an autobiorgraphy covering his early childhood till the demise of Morrison. Manzarek's charm is clearly evident in the writing. Insight into Morrison's personality as well as his personal motivations are offered. Manzarek is one of the very few people who truly knew Morrison well enough to write intelligently about him personnaly and is willing to talk about his experience. A must read for anyone interested in The Doors.
Very much a man of his times, Manzarek also provides some insight into the mindset of psychedelic hippie philosophy.
I was however, after reading the book, left wondering why Manzarek (who seems to have clearly been a father figure both to Morrison & the other Doors), was so tolerant of Morrison's destructive behavior. Manzarek expresses a fear of Morrison's alter-ego, which has a ring of truth to it...but still?
No matter how you slice it Manzarek, The Doors, us and even Morrison himself, all suffer from a tragic and senseless loss.
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Title: Riders on the Storm : My Life with Jim Morrison and the Doors by John Densmore ISBN: 0385304471 Publisher: Delta Pub. Date: 01 September, 1991 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Wilderness : The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison by Jim Morrison ISBN: 0679726225 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 17 December, 1989 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: The American Night : The Writings of Jim Morrison by JIM MORRISON ISBN: 0679734627 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 30 July, 1991 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: No One Here Gets Out Alive by Danny Sugarman, Jerry Hopkins ISBN: 0446602280 Publisher: Warner Books Pub. Date: 01 September, 1995 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Lords And New Creatures by Jim Morrison ISBN: 0671210440 Publisher: Fireside Pub. Date: 15 October, 1971 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
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