Memories of The Doors | Strange Days with Musician Ray Harris

How does discovering music through a father's vintage vinyl collection, touring global stages across Asia, and navigating a seven-year writing hiatus shape a lifelong musician and record collector? In this episode of The Friday Vinyl Club, Jamie sits down with Scottish keyboardist, producer, and groove merchant Ray Harris to trace how The Doors' dark, psychedelic 1967 masterpiece, Strange Days, served as a masterclass in genre-bending production, theatrical songwriting, and bold artistic vision. CONNECT WITH THE CLUB & RAY: • Our Official Website: ⁠https://www.thefridayvinylclub.com/ • Contact / Guest Inquiries: [email protected] • Connect with Ray on Instagram: @RayHarrisMusic / Website: https://rayharrismusic.net INSIDE THE EPISODE & TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro: Welcoming Ray Harris and introducing The Doors' cinematic 1967 sophomore masterpiece, Strange Days. 01:38 - Growing Up in Glasgow: How industrial grit, artistic heritage, and a father's vintage vinyl collection sparked a love for physical media. 03:37 - Learning the Keys: Teaching himself piano at age 14, studying at Strathclyde University, and gravitating toward blues and soul. 05:13 - Hitting the Global Stage: Making the surreal leap from local Glasgow gigs to playing in front of 26,000 fans in Indonesia. 19:27 - The Focus Record - The Doors' Strange Days: Exploring why Strange Days stands out and memories of meeting band members. 27:46 - Returning with Prelude: Breaking a seven-year writing hiatus, the stories behind new tracks like "London" and working with Groovy Graham. 52:30 - Live Dates & Future Projects: Catching Ray live at the Cottiers Theatre in Glasgow and exploring what's next. THE FRIDAY SPIN: RAY HARRIS – 'PRELUDE' SPOTLIGHT: • The Recommendation: Scottish keyboardist and producer Ray Harris and his deeply personal, groove-laden return album Prelude. • The Vibe: Rich dance floor jazz, Latin rhythms, deep groove funk, and raw storytelling discovered through a rich musical journey. TOPICS COVERED: Ray Harris, The Doors, Strange Days, Prelude, vinyl record collecting, Glasgow music scene, jazz funk, live touring, physical media, and classic 1960s psychedelic rock. FOR FANS OF: If you love music memories, physical media, and human stories behind the songs on podcasts like The Vinyl Guide, Back to NOW!, Music Is None Of Our Business, Desert Island Discs, or A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs, you are right at home in the club! Leave us a review wherever you listen to help our independent community grow!