Already have an account?
Get back to the

Ray Manzarek Dead: The Doors Founding Member Dies at 74

1369087424_125468495_ray manzarek 467
Ray Manzarek, founding member of The Doors, passed away on Monday, May 20 after battling bile duct cancer.

Another rock legend is lost. Ray Manzarek, a keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, passed away on Monday, May 20. He was 74.

According to the band's official Facebook page, Manzarek died at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany after battling bile duct cancer. The statement says that he was surrounded by his wife, Dorothy, and his brothers, Rick and James, at the time of his death.

Related: PHOTOS: Stars we lost in 2012

Manzarek co-founded The Doors with Jim Morrison in 1965 after a "chance encounter" on Venice Beach, the Facebook post reads.

During his time with The Doors, the rock band sold more than 100 million records worldwide and gained recognition with their hits, including "L.A. Woman," "The End," "Hello, I Love You" and more.

After Morrison died in 1971, Manzarek became a best-selling author, publishing a memoir in 1998 and two novels: one in 2001 and the other in 2006. 

Related: PHOTOS: Stars who battled cancer

Fellow Doors member, guitarist Robby Krieger, expressed his grief over the news. 

"I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek," he said via Facebook. "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 also survived by a son, Pablo, a daughter-in-law, Sharmin, and three grandchildren, Noah, Apollo and Camille.

Related: PHOTOS: Most shocking deaths of all times

His family, asking for privacy, requested that donations be made in Manzarek's name to Standup2cancer.org in lieu of flowers.

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!