Doors drummer John Densmore has commented on keyboardist Ray Manzarek’s death. The drummer’s comments are particularly noteworthy since Densmore and Manzarek have spent the past few years engaged in a bitter legal battle over the right to their band’s name.

“There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison’s words,” Densmore said in a statement. “Ray, I felt totally in sync with you musically. It was like we were of one mind, holding down the foundation for Robby and Jim to float on top of. I will miss my musical brother.”

Manzarek died yesterday after a lengthy battle with bile duct cancer. He was 74. At the time of his passing, he was surrounded by his wife Dorothy Manzarek, and his brothers Rick and James Manczarek. Until his death, he remained close with Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. In recent years, the longtime friends revived The Doors name for a series of tours.

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend and bandmate Ray Manzarek today,” said Krieger. “I’m just glad to have been able to have played Doors songs with him for the last decade. Ray was a huge part of my life and I will always miss him.”