The Doors

Javier Batiz was very proud of the role he played in bringing American Blues music to Mexico! His own playing in bands and as a solo artist brought a great awareness to the Blues south of the American border but more than that he created opportunities that brought legendary performers to Mexico for the first time such as Ray Charles and Little Richard. Perhaps even more meaningful to Javier is the time he dedicates to young musicians to teach them the art of music-making. Over the years he taught and inspired a host of well-known musicians including Carlos Santana, whom Javier beg

Bruce Botnick was the recording engineer for The Doors’ last album with Jim Morrison, LA Woman, which followed earlier studio works with Arthur Lee and Love as well as The Ventures. In 1979, his career expanded into film when he mixed for the Star Trek movie. It was on that project where Bruce met Jerry Goldsmith. The two built a friendship and partnership in making movie music together than spanned over 110 movies! During this time, Bruce formed a sound company and designed a few studios, which resulted in winning two TEC Awards for excellence in audio.

Henry Diltz was the official photographer at Woodstock and has photographed over 200 record album covers including the iconic Morrison Hotel. His images have defined an era of music and inspired generations of artists. Henry sat down for his NAMM Oral History interview at the Anaheim trade show in 2018. Right after his interview was captured, fellow rock photographer, Neal Preston, walked in the room. The two hugged and exchanged stories to the delight of the NAMM staff on hand.

Rikki Farr has been an active member of the audio engineering community most of his life and has been involved in countless innovations along the way.  Rikki’s incredible career spans concert promotions, music recording, and audio design, including product engineering. While working concert promotions, Rikki booked Jimi Hendrix, The Who…wait, it might be easier to list the only act we can think of that Rikki didn’t book, Elvis.

Keith Holzman cut his teeth as a theater director and lighting designer in New York. In 1964 he joined Elektra Records, which his brother Jac formed back in 1950. Keith coordinated production of all the label’s releases and later ran Elektra’s spin-off classical label, Nonesuch. The label released albums by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and soprano Teresa Stratas, as well as music based on emerging electronic instruments such as the Moog and Buchla synthesizers. These include “Silver Apples of the Moon” by Morton Subotnick in 1967, and the “Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music”

Robby Krieger is the guitarist and songwriter best known for being a founding member of the rock band, The Doors.  The incredible influence the band had on generations of music makers and songwriters can never be overstated.  Robby co-wrote several of the bands big hit recordings including “Light My Fire,” “Touch Me” and “Love Me Two Times.”  As a guitarist, Robby blended his love of the blues with rock and became, as Rolling Stone Magazine once listed, one of the top 100 greatest guitarists of all time!  

Ray Manzarek founded the iconic rock band The Doors on the beach in Venice in 1965 with his friend from UCLA film school, Jim Morrison. From that sunny summer day of sharing songs and the idea of starting a rock band, Ray and Jim went on to become immortal rock royalty. Having picked up a Vox organ as part of an initial record deal, Ray gave the Doors a dominant part of their defining sound that set them apart from all others. To this day, Doors albums continue to sell impressively as the Doors continue to pervade each succeeding generation of young listeners with their music that

John McEuen is a founding member of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, considered to be one of the most successful folk-rock groups in history. He played with the band from 1966 to 1986 and took part in their reunion in 2001. John pioneered a unique style on the 5-string banjo that can be heard on many of the Dirt Band’s recordings as well as those of countless other artists including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Steve Vai, Jimmy Buffett and The Doors. John’s passion for music and music making keeps him very active in the studio and on the road. 

Marco Moir, who studied at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, began playing guitar for area bands. Over the years he developed the skills as a guitar technician and learned the craft of recording engineer. His long list of performers he has worked with over the years include Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Perry, Aerosmith, The Cult and Automatic 7. In 1986, he began working for the Robb brothers at Cherokee Studios, which introduced him to API technology.

Gary Talley was the guitarist for the 1960s rock band, The Box Tops,  whose hits included "The Letter", and "Cry Like a Baby." Growing up in Memphis and in a musical family, his father taught three-year-old Gary to sing “You Are My Sunshine” while he played the guitar. At fourteen Gary was given a Fender Duo-Sonic, which he fell in love with and seemed to play all day and night. He joined two friends on acoustic guitar to form a trio during the big Folk Music boom of the 1960s, an era he refers to as the “great Folk Music scare.” In 1967 he joined the Devilles and stayed with them