Ray Manzarek, keyboardist of 1960s rock group The Doors, has died at the age of 74.

Manzarek died in Rosenheim, Germany, following a battle with bile duct cancer, the band said in a statement.

Manzarek founded The Doors with frontman Jim Morrison, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore in 1965.

The Doors were one of the most controversial rock acts of the 1960s, due mainly to Morrison's on-stage persona and his unpredictable behaviour.

Manzarek's distinctive keyboard style helped give the band its unique sound which saw them release six albums between 1967 and 1971 before Morrison's death.

The Doors had 19 gold, 14 platinum and five multi-platinum album awards in the United States alone, and were the first American band to accumulate eight consecutive gold LPs.

ABC/Reuters

Another Door closes.

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Calm, quiet, smooth, devastating