Robby Krieger
The Doors Distinctive Fret Master
Yes. Ray and I used to write the bass parts.
On the first album, we used Larry Knechtel,
the session guy. He passed away recently. On
the second and third albums, we used Doug
Lubahn from the band Clear Light. On the
fourth, Harvey Brooks played bass, and we used
Ray Neapolitan and Jerry Scheff on the fifth and
sixth albums. Jerry is probably best known for
having played in Elvis’s band for years.
What was the recording process like with
the Doors?
It was two- or four-track, which was very
limiting. Everything had to be perfect—there
were no excuses. If it wasn’t, you went back
and did it again. Of course, all the technology in the world doesn’t make for a great
album, either. I would’ve loved to have had
Pro Tools back then.
Yes, we’re now billed as Ray & Robby of
the Doors. We were called Riders On The
Storm for a while, because we couldn’t use
The Doors anymore due to that ridiculous
lawsuit by John Densmore. That was totally
unnecessary, but he won in court, so we had
no choice.
Why is John no longer performing with
the band?
You’d have to ask him why he’s not involved.
Actually, John has tinnitus, so he’s not playing
loud music anymore. I wish he would come
around and play. He’s still a partner in the
business end of the band, but the lawsuit has
made it difficult to remain friends. We really
haven’t been close with John since the ‘70s.
What was it like for the Doors to continue
as a three-piece band after Jim died?
It’s pretty neat. The audience was really great,
and we were up for the occasion. I think it’s
the best live Doors recording available.
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Yes. It’s a six-disc set called Live in New York.
It’s being released on Rhino Records, and it
was recorded over four shows in two nights.
Speaking of recording, there’s a new live
Doors CD coming out, right?
You’re still working with organist
Ray Manzarek.
I have to say it was tough not having Jim up
front, but he had become so unpredictable
and unreliable. Ray and I had to take over lead
vocals. After he was gone, we could actually
make a set list and stick to it—but it wasn’t
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