Robby Krieger

Robby Krieger
Krieger performing live in London in June 2007
Background information
Birth name	Robert Alan Krieger
Born	(1946-01-08) January 8, 1946 Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Psychedelic rock, acid rock, blues rock, hard rock, jazz rock
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, harmonica, keyboards, bass guitar
Years active	1965–present
Labels	Elektra
Associated acts	The Psychedelic Rangers, The Doors, The Butts Band, Manzarek–Krieger, Robby Krieger Band, Experience Hendrix
Website	Official website
Notable instruments
Gibson SG

Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger (born January 8, 1946) is an American rock guitarist and songwriter. He was the guitarist in The Doors, and wrote some of the band's best known songs, including "Light My Fire", "Love Me Two Times", "Touch Me", and "Love Her Madly".

He is listed as number 91 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Early life

Robby Krieger was born in Los Angeles, California, to a Jewish family. His first exposure to music was mostly classical, as his father was a big fan of marching music, until he heard Peter and the Wolf, which was the first music that really caught him. When he was seven, Krieger accidentally broke his record player, but the radio began to reach his ears playing the likes of Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and the Platters. At 10, he tried the trumpet, but found it was not for him. He began playing the blues on his parents' piano with much more success than the trumpet. While Krieger was attending a private school, there was study time at night that allowed him to teach himself to play the guitar. He began by learning flamenco, borrowing a friend's guitar. When Krieger was 18, he got his own flamenco guitar and took lessons for a few months. He bounced around genres, including flamenco, folk, blues, and jazz. After high school, Krieger attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. Krieger listed guitarists Wes Montgomery, Albert King, and Larry Carlton among the biggest influences on his style.

The Doors

Krieger was a member of the Doors along with keyboard player Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and vocalist Jim Morrison. At an early Doors rehearsal Morrison heard Krieger playing bottleneck guitar and initially wanted the technique featured on every song on the first album. Krieger's fingerstyle approach to the electric guitar, eclectic musical tastes, and songwriting helped establish the Doors as a successful rock band in the 1960s.^{[citation needed]}

Krieger occasionally sang for the Doors, his only singing with the early Doors can be heard on the album The Soft Parade, on the song "Runnin' Blue". He also sang on the last two Doors albums, recorded after Morrison's death, Other Voices and Full Circle.

Later career

After the Doors disbanded in 1973, Krieger formed The Butts Band with Densmore. He enjoyed some success as a jazz-fusion guitarist, recording a handful of albums in the 1970s and 1980s, including Versions (1982), Robby Krieger (1985), and No Habla (1989). For his first solo release in 1977, Robbie Krieger & Friends, Krieger worked with rock artist Jim Evans to create a painting that became the album package.^{[citation needed]}

In 1982, Krieger made an album with the Los Angeles group Acid Casualties. Their album, Panic Station, was released by Rhino Records and included a new version of the rare 1968 Pink Floyd single "Point Me at the Sky." In the early 90s, Krieger formed a trio called the 'Robby Krieger Organization' featuring Skip Van Winkle (electric organ,organ pedal bass) and Dale Alexander (drums, backing vocals).^{[citation needed]} In 1996, Krieger formed a new band simply known as the 'Robby Krieger Band' which featured his son Waylon Krieger (guitar), Barry Oakley Jr. (bass, backing vocals), Dale Alexander (keyboards) and Ray Mehlbaum (drums).^{[citation needed]} The band performed shows in North America and Europe between 1996-1998.^{[citation needed]} In 2000, Krieger released Cinematix, an entirely instrumental fusion album, with guest appearances from Billy Cobham and Edgar Winter.

Krieger and Manzarek reformed as the Doors of the 21st Century in 2002 with vocalist Ian Astbury of The Cult.^{[citation needed]} Following a dispute with Densmore over the Doors name, the band is now known as "Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors".^{[citation needed]} For a brief period, the reformed band also included Police drummer Stewart Copeland.^{[citation needed]}

Krieger played guitar on a few tracks by Blue Öyster Cult and has worked on a number of tribute projects organized by Billy Sherwood.^{[citation needed]} Krieger has made some guest appearances with the band Particle and appears on the album Transformations Live.^{[citation needed]}

In June 2008, ZYX Studio released his concert with Eric Burdon, called Live at the Ventura Beach California. They also played "Back Door Man" and "Roadhouse Blues".

In April 2009, Krieger and Ray Manzarek appeared as special guests for Daryl Hall's monthly concert webcast "Live From Daryl's House".^{[citation needed]} They performed several Doors tunes ("People Are Strange", "The Crystal Ship", "Roadhouse Blues" and "Break On Through"), with Hall providing lead vocals.

Krieger has participated in the "Experience Hendrix" series of concerts over the last two years (2008–09), joining a number of high profile guitar players paying tribute to the musicianship and songwriting of Jimi Hendrix.^{[citation needed]}

In May 2012, Robby Krieger toured with the The Roadhouse Rebels, a trio side-project consisting of founding members Particle's (and Rich Robinson's keyboardist) Steve Molitz (hammond organ, keyboards) and Oingo Boingo/Mutaytor's John Avila (bass), only this time with two additional musicians, The Black Crowes's Rich Robinson (guitar/vocals) and Rich Robinson's drummer Joe Magistro. The shows' setlists featured a range of material, including Doors standards, classic soul and rock 'n' roll covers from the '60s and '70s and material from Robinson's new Through a Crooked Sun album. The group performed on May 25, 2012 in Los Angeles, on May 26, 2012 at The Bella Fiore Music Festival, Clarks Grove, MN and on May 27, 2012 at The Oriental Theater, Denver, CO.

Guitars used

Robbie used a variety of guitars during his time with The Doors.[1]

• 1964 Gibson SG Special
• 1958 National 'Town & Country' (Model 1104)
• 1967 Gibson SG Special
• 1968 Gibson SG Standard
• 1954 Gibson Les Paul Custom ('Black Beauty')
• Black Gibson SG Standard

Discography

The Doors

Main article: The Doors discography

The Butts Band

• The Butts Band (1974)
• Hear and Now (1975)

Solo

• Robby Krieger & Friends (1977)
• Versions (1982)
• Robby Krieger (1985)
• No Habla (1989)
• Door Jams (1989)
• Cinematix (2000)
• Singularity (2010)

External links

• Robby Krieger's official site
• The Doors official site
• Robby Krieger interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969).
• Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek on "Live From Daryl's House" - April 2009