To Ray Manzarek, “L.A. Woman” is just as good today as it was when he and The Doors recorded it in 1971.

That’s what The Doors co-founder and keyboardist said when he and renowned slide guitarist Roy Rogers sat down for an interview with the Herald before the duet played the Paramount Theatre April 23.

The discussion touched on The Doors, disappearance rumors surrounding Doors singer Jim Morrison’s death and the pair’s musical influences.

Rogers and Manzarek are touring to promote their album “Translucent Blues,” which is set to be released May 24.

 

ADH: When did you first discover the blues and what attracted you to that style of music?

Rogers: It goes back a long ways. I think the whole point is that Ray and I are collaborating in a way that’s unique for us. Obviously, he’s a well-known guy that’s made his mark on rock history. I’m known for working with John Lee Hooker. The point about influences and stuff is hopefully, we’ve made a record that’s something new. We had a ball doing it. …

Manzarek: I discovered the blues when I was 10-years-old on the South Side of Chicago on the radio. …

ADH: Any specific artists?

Manzarek: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, “Boogie Children” — a song called “Boogie Children” — and Jimmy Reed. …

Rogers: Robert Johnson is a major influence.

ADH: When you guys are listening to music in your spare time, who are your influences or the first artists you’ll put on?

Rogers: I listen to a lot of jazz.

Manzarek: I listen to jazz and classical. My favorite classical artist is Igor Stravinsky. My favorite piece: “The Rite of Spring.”

Rogers: My favorite jazz album is “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis.

Manzarek: Favorite pianist: Bill Evans.

ADH: Do you listen to your old recordings?

Manzarek: Yes we do. Yes, I listen to Doors records quite a lot. I don’t know why people ask that. I know every note played. They are exactly the same as they were, oddly enough, as when they were recorded. We recorded “Light My Fire” — (freaking) song is still the same today. …

Rogers: I think most artists don’t go back and listen to their stuff — very seldom.

Manzarek: I just listened to “L.A. Woman” last week. I was amazed at how good it was, in all honesty. You get to the end of “Riders on the Storm” with the storm going and it kind of fading out. (Crap), that’s a good CD, man. Wow is that good. Who is that band? And could they make it today? Yes they could. The Doors could definitely make it today. In today’s world: Yes.

Rogers: It needs to be­­ made today.

ADH: How do you think the music industry has changed since you’ve been in the industry?

Manzarek: Record companies hardly exist. It’s all downloaded. It’s all gone digital and to download and musicians don’t make a lot of money off their records. It’s tough to be a coming-up musician today. I don’t know how you support yourself. You have to eat. You’ve got to eat, you’ve got to have a car. You’ve got to have enough money to create. You’ve got to have enough money to create and you don’t want to have a job. You don’t want your musicians having a job, but I think musicians today are forced to play — forced, forced to go on the road and play all the time. They don’t get a chance to create.

Rogers: It’s all live.

ADH: Would either of you have any advice for aspiring musicians from your experience?

Manzarek: Practice, practice, practice. You better be able to play your instrument — that’s the most important thing. As far as selling — making a living — you’ve got to figure that out yourself. …

ADH: A question for Roy. I know you’ve worked and collaborated with a lot people. Anybody stick out in your mind?

Rogers: Well I’m most associated with John Lee Hooker because I produced him. Case in point: Ray and I just made this recording “Translucent Blues.” It’s really a great collaboration, I must say. We’ve known each other now for about five or six years and it really emanates — the band recording that we just did — emanates from the duet. It’s a good collaboration. I feel real good about it. For me it’s always about where you can take the music. … Hopefully, you’re making a contribution to what you’re playing and stretching it, not listening on your laurels but what can you create that’s new? I’m really proud of this record with Ray. …

ADH: There are many famous stories about The Doors. Do you have many memories that maybe most people don’t know about?

Manzarek: Not really. None that I’m going to tell you right now. Yes, I played in a rock group called The Doors, and I went to college with Jim Morrison. We were UCLA graduates at UCLA film school. And we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of the release of “L.A. Woman” the album. And on July 3rd the 40th anniversary of Jim Morrison’s death — or disappearance. We’re going to Paris to play a memorial concert for Jim — Robby (Krieger) and me.

ADH: If I remember correctly, did you write a book on the disappearance rumors?

Manzarek: Yes, it’s called “The Poet in Exile.” I wrote a book called “The Poet in Exile,” which is a speculative account of the disappearance of a rock star very much like Jim Morrison. But I also wrote a book called “Light My Fire: My Life with The Doors,” which tells you the true and correct story of Jim Morrison, The Doors, UCLA and LSD. …

ADH: What’s next with the partnership for the two of you (Rogers-Manzarek)?

Manzarek: We’re releasing a CD … and it’s called “Translucent Blues.” It’s an album of 21st Century blues. Based on the blues, but it is not strictly adherent to the 12 bar form. We expand and play with the structure of the blues and we have poets writing lyrics. Michael McClure — beat poet, friend of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg — has contributed lyrics. Warren Zevon, before he passed on, contributed some lyrics. Jim Carroll — guy who wrote “The Basketball Diaries” — before he passed on, contributed some lyrics. So we’ve taken those poets and modified and adapted music to their lyrics and created these new, 21st Century, American contemporary blues. That’s what’s next.

Rogers: Next tour is with the band, as I said, on the East Coast in late May.

Manzarek: Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival and then we’re going on to New York City to play B.B. King’s Blues Lounge. So that’s what’s next. …

ADH: Ray, you’ve been married to Dorothy for about 44 years, any advice for marriage. I know some would call that unique in the music industry?

Manzarek: Well, stay in love and give your spouse anything he or she wants. Whatever they want — give it to them. One guy said, “I can’t do that, man. My wife would break me.” Well then you got the wrong woman. Go find a woman who’s sensible enough to know that. It’s a team. It’s a team, and if your wife is going to spend all your money, well then you better find another — don’t marry that girl. So, you give the other person everything. Total giving — in the Christian manner. You give all the love you’re capable of and all the material goods to the other person, and hopefully the other person will say, “I don’t need diamonds. I need your love, not diamonds.” Simple as that, but so dangerous.