1972

JOHN KEATING

Publication: The Flat Hat (Student Newspaper)
Issue: February 25th - 1972
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Mid-February 1972
Publish Date: February 25th - 1972
Interview Location: Los Angeles, CA > Williamsburg, VA

Info:
The Doors are interviewed over the telephone by John Keating for The Flat Hat, the student newspaper of the College of William & Mary Hall in what was likely mid-February 1972. All three band members answer questions about the new direction of their music, who is writing the music, their upcoming date in Williamsburg and what they plan to play. They also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of playing large venues, and whether or not they planned to replace Jim Morrison on lead vocal. John later reviews the show in the March 10th issue of The Flat Hat. Click HERE to read this interview on our College of William & Mary Hall concert info page!

ROY CARR

Publication: New Musical Express
Issue: February 19th - 1972
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - 1972
Publish Date: February 19th - 1972
Interview Location: Unknown

Info:
Roy Carr of the New Musical Express interviews Ray Manzarek on an unknown date in the U.S. in 1972. Ray explains to Carr that people will have to realize Jim Morrison is dead. He also tells Roy that had Jim Morrison decided to leave the band, The Doors would have gone on without him due to a desire to keep playing music. No recordings of this interview are known.

JAMES ROOS

Publication: The Miami Herald
Issue: March 10th - 1972
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - March 1972
Publish Date: March 10th - 1972
Interview Location: Miami, FL

Info:
John Densmore and Ray Manzarek provide commentary to Miami Herald journalist James Roos prior to their upcoming performance at Pirate's World on March 10th. The band members discuss their desire to play smaller venues and not have this performance moved to the larger Sportatorium. This interview is likely conducted over the phone and no recordings are known to exist.

LON GODDARD #1

Publication: Record Mirror
Issue: April 15th - 1972
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - April 1972
Publish Date: April 15th - 1972
Interview Location: Telephone Call > London to Los Angeles

Info:
Following a cancellation of tentative concert dates in England, Lon Goddard of Record Mirror conducts a phone call interview with The Doors from London to Los Angeles. The band members talk about the image the press gave the old version of the band, their happiness, and Ray discusses the importance and willingness of the group to perform in Great Britain. The Doors will later return to London in May. No recordings of this interview are known to exist.

LON GODDARD #2

Publication: Record Mirror
Issue: May 13th - 1972
Interview Date: April 26th - 1972
Publish Date: May 13th - 1972
Interview Location: London, U.K.

Info:
During a 24 hour stopover in London while on their way to Europe to begin a Spring tour, Lon Goddard of Record Mirror magazine catches Ray Manzarek for an interview at an unknown location. Ray talks about getting piano lessons at the age of five, his initial dislike of it, and his original expectation of having a career as a lawyer. He talks about influences from black musicians, and how he met Jim Morrison at UCLA film school. No recordings of this interview are known to exist.

TONY STEWART

Publication: New Musical Express
Issue: May 6th - 1972
Interview Date: April 30th - 1972
Publish Date: May 6th - 1972
Interview Location: Montreux, CH

Info:
Following the afternoon performance at Montreux in Switzerland on April 30th, 1972, Tony Stewart of New Musical Express interviews Ray Manzarek. The well behaved audiences are talked about and Ray explains that fans are coming to see the music, not a freak show. Ray also talks about the success of the band on stage as a 5-piece, and the relaxed atmosphere of not having 'narks' present with cameras, etc. No recordings are known to exist of this interview, however the performance witnessed by Tony Stewart is filmed for Pop Hot. Click HERE to read more about The Doors performances in Montreux!

JOHN TOBLER

Publication: Zig Zag
Issue: No. 25 - October 1972
Interview Date: Exact Date Unknown - Mid-May 1972
Publish Date: October - 1972
Interview Location: Exact Location Unknown - London, UK

Info:
Following his first interview with The Doors in 1970 at the Isle Of Wight Festival, Zig Zag journalist John Tobler sits down with the post-Morrison band in May of 1972 for what would become an article titled The Doors In A Nutshell; 64 Quick Questions. All of The Doors original albums, plus compilations, are covered and the band answers all of John's questions accurately and enthusiastically. The article is later published in the October 1972 issue and is likely recorded.

MARSHALL ROSENTHAL

Publication: Chicago Daily News
Issue: August xx - 1972
Interview Date: July 20th - 1972
Publish Date: August xx - 1972
Interview Location: Chicago, IL

Info:
The evening prior to The Doors performance at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, a former classmate of Ray Manzarek from DePaul University is now writing for the Chicago Daily News, and conducts an interview with the organist at his hotel. Explaining that he has had no contact with Ray since 1964 at UCLA, the interviewer lets the readers know that he feels the interview is quite awkward and tense. Ray talks about Jim Morrison and the possibility of himself and Dorothy Fujikawa moving to Paris. This lengthy article is later syndicated in various newspapers throughout the U.S.

BRUCE HARRIS

Publication: Words & Music
Issue: December - 1972
Interview Date: August 22nd - 1972
Publish Date: December - 1972
Interview Location: The Old Print Shop - New York, NY

Info:
Following their performance in Central Park in late August 1972, Ray Manzarek visits New York's historic The Old Print Shop and is accompanied by Words & Music journalist Bruce Harris. Ray is examining Audubon originals and jokingly explains to Bruce that he is unable to afford any of the works until he has a hit single. The remainder of the article covers The Doors direction and their new album Full Circle. No recordings are known of this interview with Ray.