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 me...
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