RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Ray Manzarek has been called to eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of seventy-four; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Ray Manzarek was a founding member of The Doors, the iconic band that changed the face of rock and roll; and
WHEREAS, Raised on Chicago's South Side, Ray Manzarek graduated from St. Rita High School and earned an economics degree from DePaul University before moving to Los Angeles, California; and
WHEREAS, While attending UCLA film school, Ray Manzarek first met poet Jim Morrison, and shortly after graduation ran into him at Venice Beach when they decided to start a band; and
WHEREAS, The Doors, formed in 1965, included Ray Manzarek on keyboard, Morrison as the group's lead singer, Robby Krieger on guitar and John Densmore on drums; and
WHEREAS, Ray Manzarek brought to the band a unique blend of classical, jazz and blues influences and established the keyboard as a powerful force in rock music; and
WHEREAS, The Doors enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame and are best known for chart-topping songs such as "Light My Fire," "L.A. Woman," "Hello, I Love You" and "Break on Through to the Other Side;" and
WHEREAS, The group recorded six successful albums before Morrison died in France in 1971 and Ray Manzarek took over as lead singer; and
WHEREAS, The Doors continued to play and record until disbanding in 1973, but their legend and popularity continued to capture the imagination of future generations; and
WHEREAS, Ray Manzarek later enjoyed a solo career and was a producer, film director and author; and
WHEREAS, In 1993 the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; and
WHEREAS, In 2002 Ray Manzarek reunited and toured with Krieger; and
WHEREAS, The creative talent and dedication of Ray Manzarek serve as an example to all; and
WHEREAS, His love of life and ability to live it to the fullest endeared Ray Manzarek to his family members, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget; and
WHEREAS, Ray Manzarek will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by his many relatives, friends and admirers; and
WHEREAS, To his loving wife, Dorothy, his son, Pablo, and his two brothers, Rick and James, Ray Manzarek imparts a legacy of faithfulness, service and dignity; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this fifth day of June, 2013, do hereby commemorate Ray Manzarek for his grace-filled life and do hereby express our condolences to his family; and
Alderman - 14th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVEDATh&t a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ray Manzarek.