John Densmore and Slash are among the first stars to speak out and pay tribute to The Doors rocker Ray Manzarek after he lost his battle with cancer.

The keyboard player, who co-founded the band with Jim Morrison in 1965, passed away at a clinic in Germany on Monday (20May13) after a fight with bile duct cancer. He was 74.

Bandmate Robby Krieger released a touching statement in the hours after his death, and now The Doors' drummer Densmore has added his own thoughts on Manzarek's passing.

He says, "There was no keyboard player on the planet more appropriate to support Jim Morrison's words. 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."

In a post on Twitter.com, former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash revealed he was in awe of The Doors' music when he first moved to the U.S. as a kid, writing, "Rip Ray Manzarek... words cannot express... The Doors represent the La sound to me. It was the 1st band I remember hearing when I came from England; 'Light my fire,' I'll never forget."

Aerosmith's Joe Perry adds, "I am very saddened by loss of Ray Manzarak (sic) now he's with Jim. They mean as much to me today as they did 40 years ago," while Jackson 5 star Randy Jackson tweets, "Wow, Rip ray manzarek. One of the greatest artists ever."

Actor John Stamos also remembered the musician, writing, "Rip Ray Manzarek - if you get a chance check out docu (documentary) When You're Strange really highlights his brilliance and amazing dexterity."