Doug Lubahn, the studio bassist for The Doors who performed on three of their ’60s albums, has passed away at the age of 71.
The band themselves announced the news of the bass player’s death via Twitter, sharing a more recent image of the late rocker with a solemn caption that expressed their gratitude for the impact Lubahn had on The Doors, and on rock music altogether.
“Our condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of Doug Lubahn. Doug made indelible contributions to rock and roll, and especially to The Doors. He played bass on Strange Days, Waiting for the Sun, and Soft Parade,” wrote the band.
Prior to joining The Doors in the studio, Lubahn was a member of Los Angeles psychedelic rock outfit Clear Light, who released only one record, a self-titled 1967 effort. He was recruited for three successive Doors albums — Strange Days (1967), Waiting for the Sun (1968) and The Soft Parade (1967).
https://twitter.com/TheDoors/status/1198630984301846530?s=20
Lubahn would go on to form the short-lived jazz-rock group Dreams, later joining Pierce Arrow for a pair of albums as bassist and co-lead vocalist before moving on as Riff Raff’s bass player and lead singer on their lone album, Vinyl Futures.
Lubahn remained active, next joining Billy Squier’s band for the Emotions in Motion and Signs of Life albums and subsequent tours. The same year Signs of Life was released (1984), he contributed to Ted Nugent’s Penetrator record.
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“Even though it is too bad he didn’t join the Doors when we asked him, he gets the loyalty prize for stickin’ with his group at the time,” guitarist Robby Krieger once said about the late bassist.
No details about Lubahn’s death were made available. A post by the person who runs his Facebook page reads, “Doug Lubahn 12/19/1947 – 11/20/2019. Words could never express the sorrow. He was the love of my life. I’ll miss the laughter more than anything. RIP – Pat Devanny.”
Our condolences to the Lubahn family and all who knew Doug.
