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The Doors bassist

#21
I recall reading a magazine article which quoted either Densmore or Krieger as saying The Doors did not feel they needed a bass player in live shows because the Fender-Rhodes Piano Bass "moved plenty of air."

And now those gems go for $1200 average on eBay.

The interview was probably done early in their career. They may have been changing their minds near the end.

Cool to hear from Doug Lubahn.
 
#22
Howlin' Hanson said:
I recall reading a magazine article which quoted either Densmore or Krieger as saying The Doors did not feel they needed a bass player in live shows because the Fender-Rhodes Piano Bass "moved plenty of air."

And now those gems go for $1200 average on eBay.

The interview was probably done early in their career. They may have been changing their minds near the end.

Cool to hear from Doug Lubahn.
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Worked in a big music store back then, had nothing but disdain for that Piano Bass dealy. Machine was getting my job! Righteous Indignation! Actually avoided studying the Doors because they had no discernable bass player! What did I know? (Stoopid kid) I do still have the Clear Light album though. Question? was Chuck Rainey ever on a Doors session? I'd heard he was.
 
#24
When I was a pup I was a big fan of The Doors. I got to see them play at Madison Square Garden, I think in late 1969. Ray Manzaarek played a Rhodes bass keyboard for everything except "Touch Me", which was their current hit. For that tune they brought out a small orchestra, and also Harvey Brooks on bass. I was thrilled, because he was one of my heroes, especially for his playing on the Super Session album with Al Kooper. I learned a lot about improv listening to him. I don't know why anyone would be threatened by the keyboard bass. Manzarek's was the only one I have ever seen anybody play. It's not a real popular instrument.

I'd also like to say this. I love Carole Kaye's playing. She has been a powerful bass player who has added great bottom to many recordings. But maybe being on so many sessions has blurred her memory. She takes credit for a lot of things which I don't believe she played on, including "Light My Fire". I don't hear bass guitar on that tune. She also claims she was on Stevie Wonder's "I was Made To Love Her". If that's not James Jamerson, I'll eat my B15.

It's cool to have a forum for bassists. Thanks!
 
#27
SoCal1 said:
Should point out that renowned bassist Phil Chen, who joined the post Doors band headed by Krieger-Manzarak has received a prestigious award in his home country of Jamaica for his contributions to Jamaican music...Congrats Phil
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Chen was also in the first version of the Butts-Band with Densmore and Krieger and very underrated singer Jess Roden.
 
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#28
KPJ said:
Doug Lubahn played on a number of songs. If you have ever seen the "Wild Child" video, you can see Doug in the studio. He was left handed and played a Fender bass upside down. I believe he played the bassline on "Strange Days" also, which is a killer line. Ray Neapolitan played bass on Morrison Hotel, with the exception of "Roadhouse Blues" and "Maggie M'Gill" which blues guitarist Lonnie Mack played bass on. Harvey Brooks, of Electric Flag and Miles Davis fame played on The Soft Parade album and also toured with the Doors for a while as John Densmore wrote in his book, Riders on the Storm. And as previously mentioned, Jerry Scheff played on LA Woman.
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Finally, that bass line is sublime. Especially in the second instrumental part.
 
#30
ryco said:
Who played bass for The Doors besides "Lefty"? I hear BG on their later stuff.
These are the names I've heard so far- forgive any spelling errors
Jeff Schilling
Glenn Hughes
Jerry Lombaugh
Carol Kaye (and let's NOT go there AGAIN ;P)
Mostly wondering who played on "Love Her Madly" - what COOL licks!
I always wondered why The Doors didn't just go ahead and hire someone- I mean if they were gonna use one anyway. I also felt the same way about The Who since they had keys in a LOT of their stuff- even the early stuff. I admired Grand Funk for adding Craig Frost, and Billy Preston was being considered for The Beatles before they blew up. Any others or opinions?
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People may hate me for this, but I prefer Ray Manzarek's Vox Continental Organ to an actual bass guitar.
It just seems like a better fit rather than a real bass!
 
#35
...P-bass & someone here thinks it's a Sunn amp/cab.
 

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#36
Funk$tar said:
People may hate me for this, but I prefer Ray Manzarek's Vox Continental Organ to an actual bass guitar.
It just seems like a better fit rather than a real bass!
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There is nothing that would make me hate you. Ever. That would mean I'm even more of an ass than people already think.

But seriously, on those albums, some of that fluid bass playing is fantastic! I don't know how much you've cranked up any of those studio albums, but give it another listen. There are a few songs that are remarkable, and they couldn't even come close live. On others, the live performance is so great that that version is clearly superior, but man; the bass playing on the Doors' albums is pretty top-notch, for my money.
 
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#37
mellowinman said:
There is nothing that would make me hate you. Ever. That would mean I'm even more of an ass than people already think.

But seriously, on those albums, some of that fluid bass playing is fantastic! I don't know how much you've cranked up any of those studio albums, but give it another listen. There are a few songs that are remarkable, and they couldn't even come close live. On others, the live performance is so great that that version is clearly superior, but man; the bass playing on the Doors' albums is pretty top-notch, for my money.
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Thanks man and yeah, the more I think about it your right! I mean on albums like, "Morrison Hotel," it has such awesome bass lines like, "Peace Frog."
 

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