Robby Krieger

Robert Alan Krieger was born on January 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. He showed an early interest in music, listening to diverse genres from Peter and the Wolf to Fats Domino and Elvis. His musical journey began with the trumpet at age ten, but his focus shifted to guitar at seventeen, starting with a Mexican flamenco guitar. He took flamenco lessons and explored various styles including folk, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. Influenced by artists like the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, his initial aim was to learn jazz, but he found himself drawn to rock ‘n’ roll’s freedom and potential. Krieger’s early development included exposure to classical music at home, and later, the guidance of Frank Chin in flamenco guitar and a deep appreciation for blues guitarists like Wes Montgomery, Albert King, and Larry Carlton.

Krieger’s career saw a significant turning point in 1965 when he joined Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, and Jim Morrison to form The Doors. He contributed significantly to the band’s songwriting, writing or co-writing many of their well-known songs including “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,” “Touch Me,” and “Love Her Madly.” His unique fingerstyle approach to the electric guitar and broad musical tastes were integral to The Doors’ distinctive sound. After Jim Morrison’s death in 1971, Krieger, Manzarek, and Densmore continued as a trio, releasing two more albums as The Doors, “Other Voices” (1971) and “Full Circle” (1972), with Krieger occasionally contributing lead vocals. They later reconvened to create “An American Prayer” (1978) using Morrison’s poetry. Krieger’s talent earned him a spot at number 248 on Rolling Stone’s 250 greatest guitarists of all time in 2023.

Following The Doors’ dissolution in 1973, Krieger continued his musical journey. He formed The Butts Band with John Densmore and embarked on a solo career, recording several jazz-fusion albums such as “Versions” (1982), “Robby Krieger” (1985), and “No Habla” (1989). He formed the Robby Krieger Band in 1991, featuring his son Waylon Krieger, and released the instrumental fusion album “Cinematix” in 2000. In 2002, he reunited with Ray Manzarek as “Doors of the 21st Century.” Throughout his later career, Krieger has collaborated with various artists, including Blue Öyster Cult and Gov’t Mule, and has continued releasing solo albums like “The Ritual Begins At Sundown” (2020). He also launched guitar tutorials for Doors songs on YouTube and published his memoir, “Set the Night on Fire: Living, Dying, and Playing Guitar With the Doors,” in 2021.