In Memoriam: Doug Lubahn

Doug Lubahn

Doug Lubahn, who played bass on three albums by the Doors, has passed away. He was 71 years old. The band shared the news on their social media accounts.

“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,” they wrote. “He played bass on Strange Days, Waiting for the Sun, and The Soft Parade. RIP, Doug.”

Lubahn grew up in Colorado and was coaxed into moving to Los Angeles after a chance meeting with Cass Elliot of the Mamas and the Papas, who said there were many bands needing a bassist. There he founded the group Clear Light, who recorded and released one album. Their producer, Paul Rothchild, was also working with The Doors and asked Lubahn to work on the session for Strange Days, which features his playing on seven of the ten songs including “Love Me Two Times.” The Doors asked Lubahn to join the band as a full-time member, but he refused.

After his studio work with The Doors, Lubahn went on to create the band Dreams, which evolved into a jazz-rock band with Will Lee on bass. He would also perform with Pierce Arrow, Riff Raff, Billy Squier, Ted Nugent, and more.

In 2007 he wrote a memoir called My Days with The Doors and Other Stories. Doors drummer John Densmore praised the book saying “Bass players and drummers are like brothers, cookin’ up the groove in the basement. The main ingredient is solid time, and Doug’s playing was like a rock. Lubahn was there … more there than I knew. I wished I’d got to hang with some of the artists mentioned in this book. Doug’s reflection is genuine and heartfelt.”

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Doug Lubahn.

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Leave a Reply to Sandy Winnerman Cancel reply

  1. Sandy Winnerman

    I had the honor of Meeting Doug at a jam in Fort Lauderdale shortly after I relocated to south Florida a few years ago. After I played in the jam he introduced himself and told me he could tell I was the real deal. That blew my away as Doug was one of my earliest bass heroes. Clear Light was was of my favorite albums of the time, ’68. I also new he had bass playing credits on the early Doors albums and I loved his playing. I never thought of myself as the real deal but that compliment was one of my proudest moments. R.I.P.