Ray Manzarek and Roy Rogers have formed a new ensemble and recorded a hard driving blues/rock project that is a stirring and masterful collaboration. The iconic co-founder of The Doors and the master slide guitarist/producer are seemingly an odd pairing – but their new recording unleashes a stunning musical recording.
Ray Manzarek needs no introduction and has been inducted in to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He still performs with Robbie Krieger and together they have had an ongoing odyssey of The Doors music – in addition to new collaborations of their own respectively. The Doors music continues to be one of the most revered rock song catalogs of the 20th century.

Roy Rogers has toured with his band The Delta Rhythm Kings for three decades worldwide. His recordings show his masterful slide techniques and love of diverse influences. He has been nominated as a songwriter, producer and performer for the Grammy’s 8 times. As a producer, he has been most associated with the late John Lee Hooker, with whom he performed with in the 1980’s. He also produced two releases for National Medal of Arts recipient Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, were also both nominated for Grammy’s.

The Manzarek/Rogers band CD, tentatively entitled “Translucent Blues” is a blues-rock collection of songs with powerful grooves, strong hooks and lyrics tinged with poetry and literary references. Most of the songs are collaborative, some featuring lyrical contributions from co-writers as diverse as Warren Zevon, Jim Carroll and poet Michael McClure. Featured musicians on ‘Translucent Blues” are Kevin Hayes, drums, formerly with the Robert Cray band; Steve Evans, bass, with the Elvin Bishop Band, and George Brooks, tenor saxophone, who has performed with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain.
The Manzarek-Rogers Band recently performed their initial shows in the Midwest and Las Vegas to fantastic reviews and standing ovation responses from audiences. They will tour extensively in 2011 in support of the new recording.