X, "Soul Kitchen"

For anyone deeply rooted in rock music, the first keyboardist that comes to mind should be Ray Manzarek. I have mixed feelings about The Doors, which I'll simplify by saying that their best songs are covers ("Back Door Man," "Alabama Song.") But Manzarek's use of keyboards in was unprecedented in rock & roll, as both the lead instrument ("Light My Fire," "Touch Me") and the bass ("Riders on the Storm," "Peace Frog") in The Doors' most enduring songs. People were drawn in by Jim Morrison, but Ray Manzarek is the reason they kept listening.



Less discussed is Manzarek's influence on art-punk pioneers X, the L.A. quartet whose classic first four albums were all produced by him. Remember Ray Manzarek today with a touching video of him explaining why a future Rock Hall of Famer took a chance on an unknown indie band with obscene tattoos, and stick around to watch him join X for a punk rock sprint through the Doors' "Soul Kitchen."

Song of the Day: Deep Purple, "Hush"

I don't usually like keyboard metal, Joe South (who also wrote "I Never Promised You a Rose Garden") or Deep Purple. But thanks to Jon Lord, I enjoy "Hush."



Other than Ray Manzarek, I can't think of a major '60s rock organist who was so vital to his band. Lord's grasp of the rhythm here makes me wonder if he also played drums. His solo reminds me of the best guitar playing, where the space between the notes is just as important as actual notes. "Rick Wakeman, eat your heart out," Jello Biafra once said on Give Me Convenience or Give Me Death. Jon Lord beat him to it, and he didn't even need words.

For Jon Lord, 1941-2012.