Our Boys were (and still are) just a couple of buddies. Let's call them Jim and Robert because, well, that's who they were (and still are).They'd met in the second grade, went through school together and since their long-gone high school days had played in bands together. Nothing unusual- it seemed as if everybody played in bands in those days. The normal affairs- dances, parties, weddings. Whatever came along.

One weekday afternoon in the mid '70s they decided to head up the freeway and drool on musical equipment at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. They might not be able to buy anything, but it was not an unpleasant way to spend the day. After stepping into the shop, Our Boys split up according to their little spheres of interest- Robert went to look at guitars, and Jim went to check out the keyboard section. A little while later, Jim tracked Robert down and with a sort of goofy look on his face, and a lowered, whispery voice rasps out "guess who's

"Our Boys" Robert and Jim in the early '70s

A little background might explain the enormity of this event.Jim was the keyboard player in all their musical meanderings and for him, Ray was IT. And now Our Boys, just a couple of sloggers from the south side of the county, are about to run into Mr.AllTimeFaveKeyboardGodHimself. Our Boys were not just fans, but students of the Doors, and Ray's solo music. Robert had started out as a bass player and the first thing he learned was "Light My Fire". Even the drummer they'd always played with was apt to break into a complete recitation of Celebration of the Lizard at any given party. Jim had bought an amp once from Ray's brother and it had almost attained local totemic status. A few months earlier Jim and Robert had trekked down to the Whiskey to see Ray play material from the Golden Scarab album and thought it one of the best shows they'd ever seen. The kind of show that makes one want to go home and practice.Yep, Our Boys knew that sound and knew them notes.

The Whole Thing Started With Rock and Roll..

Jim was generally the more bold and outgoing of the two, yet even he was scratching around, wondering if they should go up and say something. Finally, he said " Hey man- let's go say hi anyway". So with deep breaths, they walked to the back and approached Mr. Manzarek, dressed in the white suit that he would appear in on the cover of the The Whole Thing Started With Rock & Roll. In fact, that was what was happening that day- the cover shoot for this soon-to-appear album. What followed was the usual fan stumbling, the gushing inane compliments....and the realization that it's unlikely that anything of substance will be said in situations like these. But Ray was quite polite and easygoing so

Not too long after this, Robert was invited up to Wonderland to discuss the project, and as it's always good to have a buddy along, he invited Jim......plus he thought Jim was really responsible for this entire turn of events and ought to be included. Our Boys were nervous- and Robert more than Jim because for him it was a gig- for Jim it was pure gravy. Everything went smoothly....the details of the model were settled......and Jim got to mention that holy relic amp..... As the next few weeks passed, Robert gathered photos of Ray, took measurements of the specified type of piano, layed out the drawings and went to to work. Chunks, slabs and sheets of wood were formed, putty was smoothed, paint applied and the figure was ready.

A couple of phone calls were made, an appointment was set, and then another trek was made up the freeway to deliver the work. It's never easy to prepare for moments like this- they're fraught with terror. What if there's rejection? Complaints? Or worst of all- disappointment?

Our Boys reached their destination, parked on the narrow street and got out of the car. Robert grabbed the box containing mini-Ray from the backseat and they walked up the steps and knocked. Ray himself answered the door. Jim's was doin' fine- Robert was nervous- it's HIS work on the line. Besides, this piece was for Ray Manzarek! That added a few more pounds of pressure. Ray invited them in and pointed to the box Robert was carrying and asked "Is that it?" "Reckon so" said Robert as he took the figure out of the box and set it up- lil' Ray, mini-piano and piano stool. Ray looked it over. Robert sweated. Ray grinned. Robert breathed again.

For the first time in this entire episode, Robert relaxed. After some happy conversation and a little more inspection of the work, Ray handed Robert a check. After a few rounds of "thank you", Our Boys departed. Walking to the car, Robert was already lost in thought, and later figured out that this episode had been a thick, meaty confidence booster, and in fact was one of the key events that completely pushed him into a life of "making stuff".

On the way home it was again Jim who first spoke "Man, Robert. All I can do is babble like an idiot fan...do you realize that Ray Manzarek his own sweet self just bought something YOU made?." Robert slumped down in the seat and said "Ahhhhhhh....I don't know......what do ya say we hit Taco Quickie and then I buy us a six pack?"

The Mini-Ray

A few years later, Jim got married and moved to the Sacramento area, where he's still playing around the bar and club scene. Robert got married, moved to Orange County and slowly eased into air brush 2D work, establishing himself as a painter and illustrator of historical aviation subjects. These days he's mostly known for his paintings and sculptures of WW II-era "nose art girls" and even more for his works showing WW I airplanes- including book covers for the prestigious British publisher Albatros Productions Ltd.. But he still thinks about the days when he "carved rock people". To him, it's all still the same- whether building a miniature Door, or painting some ancient Fokker- do the

Robert today

And the miniRay? I guess it got whacked some time in late 70s.