He’s a California boy to this day.
Raised in Pacific Palisades in the 60’s, Robbie Krieger could have segued into popular music like his surfing buddies The Beach Boys.
But after UCSB and L.A.’s Kinnara School of Music he joined forces in 1965 with Jim Morrison to form the iconic rock group The Doors. With guitarist Krieger, vocalist Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and drummer John Densmore, The Doors went on to create some of rock’s most defining songs.
Krieger wrote some of the group’s greatest hits, including “Light My Fire,” “Touch Me” and “Love Me Two Times.”
After Morrison’s death in 1971, Krieger, Densmore and Manzarek continued for a while as a trio. Krieger over the years has performed with many big-name groups and today performs as The Robbie Krieger Band which includes his son Waylon.
He returns to his California roots on October 7, headlining the Sagebrush Cantina’s “Music Food & Fun Festival.”
Valley News Group asked Krieger about the upcoming concert – as he has always been known for his broad range of musical interests – from jazz and folk to blues.
“It’s always fun to play the music of The Doors,” he told the paper. “I have two bands now – Robbie Krieger & The Soul Savages for jazz and R&B, and the Robbie Krieger Band for The Doors standards.”
The October concert is also a celebration of the 54th anniversary of their “Waiting for the Sun” album. “I’m going to play a bunch of songs from that album – it’s going to be fun,” he laughed.
Krieger is always writing new music and has an upcoming deal with Mascot Records, but is intent on continuing The Doors’ legacy.
During the pandemic he uploaded guitar tutorials of Doors’ songs to the band’s YouTube channel.
He has also donated half his residuals from Doors music to the nonprofit Primary Wave.
“This will enable me to help the charities I’ve been involved with and some new ones too. I know Primary Wave cares about music, art and about helping legacies go to even bigger levels….our longtime Doors manager, Jeff Jampol, will still be protecting our legacy in partnership with Primary Wave, so I’m comfortable and happy with the future of The Doors.”
In 2021 Krieger released a memoir, Set the Night on Fire: Living, Dying and Playing Guitar With The Doors.
When Valley News Group asked about his favorite Doors songs, Krieger said, “‘Light My Fire’ is pretty hard to beat. I like playing a lot of different songs so sometimes one or the other will be my favorite.”
But true to his local roots he said, “I admit, ‘L.A. Woman’ is at the top.”
The Music Food & Fun Festival will take place Saturday, October 7, at the Sagebrush Cantina, 23537 Calabasas Road in Old Town Calabasas. For tickets visit sagebrushtickets.com.
