Robert Alan Krieger (born January 8, 1946) is an American rock and roll 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 number 91 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Early life

A native of Los Angeles, California, Krieger learned to play guitar when he attended Menlo School (formerly a boarding school in the San Francisco Bay area). He started by tuning a ukulele like the bottom four strings of a guitar and imitating a flamenco guitar record. He later purchased a flamenco guitar on a Christmas vacation in Puerto Vallarta in 1963 and mastered the style without benefit of lessons. He gradually grew tired of playing flamenco and helped form a jug band called the Back Bay Chamberpot Terriers with Bill Wolff (later of the Peanut Butter Conspiracy).

The Doors

He formed The Doors 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 occasional songwriting helped establish The Doors as a successful rock band in the 1960s.

Later career

After Morrison's death in 1971, The Doors continued as a trio and released two albums, Other Voices and Full Circle. Krieger shared lead vocal duties with Manzarek. After The Doors disbanded in 1973, Krieger formed The Butts Band with Densmore. He enjoyed some success as a jazz guitarist, recording a handful of albums as The Robby Krieger Band in the 1970s and 1980s, including Versions (1983) and No Habla (1986).

Krieger and Manzarek reformed as the Doors of the 21st Century in 2002 with vocalist Ian Astbury, formerly of The Cult. Following a dispute with Densmore over The Doors name, the band is now known as Riders on the Storm. For a brief period, the reformed band also included Police drummer Stewart Copeland.

Krieger played guitar on a few tracks by Blue Öyster Cult and has worked on a number of tribute projects organized by Billy Sherwood. In recent times, Krieger has made some guest appearances with the band Particle (band) and is even on the album Transformations Live. Together, they cover many of The Doors' songs.

References

External links

• Robby Krieger's official site
• The Doors official site
• Video interview with Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger May 2007 on Classic Rock Central