Robby Krieger
On 08/01/1946: Robby Krieger was born in Los Angeles, California. His full birth name was Robert Alan Krieger. When he was young, he would mostly hear classical music. At the age of seven, Krieger accidently broke his record player, so he started to listen to the radio where he found artists like Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and the Platters. When he was 10, Krieger took up the trumpet but soon dropped it and began playing blues on his parent's piano. At boarding school, Krieger taught himself to play guitar in the study time at night. He started by detuning a ukelele to the bottom four strings of a guitar and copying a record. In the mid-1960s, the future author Frank Chin taught Krieger how to play flamenco guitar. Whilst on Christmas break to Puerto Vallarta, Krieger bought a peg-tuned Ramírez guitar and took lessons for a few months. Krieger would try various different genres. He joined a jug band called the Back Bay Chamber Pot Terriers. After leaving high school, Krieger enrolled at the University of California.In 1965, Krieger joined keyboard player Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore and vocalist Jim Morrison in The Doors. Krieger impressed Morrison at an early rehearsal with his bottleneck guitar skills and Morrison wanted it on every song on the first album. Krieger wrote or co-wrote several Doors' songs, including "Light My Fire", "Love Me Two Times", "Touch Me", and "Love Her Madly". He would also occasionally sing lead, such as on "Runnin' Blue" and "Land Ho".
In 1971, Morrison died and Krieger, Manzarek and Densmore carried on as a trio. They released two more albums "Other Voices" and "Full Circle".
In 1973, The Doors disbanded. Krieger then formed the Butts Band with Densmore.
In 1977, Krieger released his debut solo album "Robbie Krieger & Friends".
Krieger would enjoy success as a jazz-fusion guitarist recording albums such as "Versions", "Robby Krieger" and "No Habla".
In 1978, The Doors were reunited to create music for poetry that Morrison had recorded shortly before his death. The results of which were released as the album "An American Prayer".
In 1982, Krieger joined Acid Casualties for the album "Panic Station".
In the early 1990s, Krieger formed the trio the Robby Krieger Organization with Skip Van Winkle and Dale Alexander.
In 1996, Kriger formed a new band called the Robby Krieger Band with his son Waylon Krieger, Berry Oakley Jr, Dale Alexander and Ray Mehlbaum. They performed in the US and Europe till 1998.
In 2000, Krieger released the instrumental fusion album "Cinematix" which included Billy Cobham and Edgar Winter.
In 2002, Kriger and Manzarek formed the band Doors of the 21st Century, which included vocalist Ian Astbury. There was a dispute over the name with Densmore, so they renamed the band Riders On The Storm, then again to Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of the Doors, then finally to Manzarek-Krieger.
Krieger played the guitar on a few tracks for Blue Öyster Cult. He has also worked on various tribute projects by Billy Sherwood and appeared as part of the "Experience Hendrix" concerts. Krieger has made guest appearances with the band Particle.
In 2008, the live album "Live at the Ventura Beach California" was released which featured Krieger and Eric Burdon.
In 2009, Krieger and Manzarek appeared on Daryl Hall's webcast "Live From Daryl's House".
In 2012, Krieger toured with the Roadhouse Rebels.
In 2013, Krieger supported Gov't Mule at the Beacon Theatre in New York.
In 2014, Krieger featured on the Fuel album "Puppet Strings".