Ray Manzarek Death Hoax Rumor False: Late Doors Keyboardist Survived by Wife Dorothy Fujikawa, Son Pablo, and Grandchildren

Ray Manzarek, 74, has died on Monday, May 20, 2013 due to complications connected to bile duct cancer according to a press release published on the Doors website. Shortly following the report that Manzarek was dead, an odd rumor circulated the web spreading false information that Manzarek's death was a hoax.  It is not a hoax.

Below is the message released on Thedoors.com:

Ray Manzarek, keyboardist and founding member of The Doors, passed away today at 12:31PM PT at the RoMed Clinic in Rosenheim, Germany after a lengthy battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his wife Dorothy Manzarek, and his brothers Rick and James Manczarek.

Manzarek was one of the founders and a keyboardist and songwriter for the Doors, founded in 1965. Many fans throughout the world shared their condolences towards the news of Manzarek's passing.

Fellow musicians have also mourned with messages on Twitter and other social networks.

Rollingstone.com reported that the punk pioneers X singer-bassist John Doe expressed in a statement, "Ray was a mentor to X in our early days and a something of a father figure to Exene and me. He was brilliant and soulful. If Bob Dylan brought poetry and folk to popular music, Ray and the Doors brought the blues and poetry to rock music."

Slash responded to the news with a tweet that read, "RIP Ray Manzarek words cannot express…"

Billy Joe Armstrong tweeted, "Sad to here about Ray Manzarek passing. I was lucky to get a chance to rock out with him & the other two Doors.. cheers mate say hi to Jim."

Fellow Doors musician Robby Krieger released a statement that read, “I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today. I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him.”

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame CEO Greg Harris said, "The world of rock 'n' roll lost one of its greats with the passing of Ray Manzarek." Harris also said that "he was instrumental in shaping one of the most influential, controversial and revolutionary groups of the '60s. Such memorable tracks as 'Light My Fire', 'People are Strange' and ' Hello, I Love You' – to name but a few – owe much to Manzarek's innovative playing."

Manzarek and his wife Dorothy enjoyed one of the most long lasting marriages in rock n roll history.  They were married since 1967 and have remained together until his death.  They have one son named Pablo together, and three grandchildren.