Robby Krieger in conversation with Jeff Alulis at Live Talks Los Angeles

Robby Krieger in conversation with Jeff Alulis
discussing his memoir,
“Set the Night on Fire: Living, Dying, and Playing Guitar With the Doors“
‪@thedoors‬
In his tell-all, legendary Doors guitarist, Robby Krieger, one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” opens up about his band’s meteoric career, his own darkest moments, and the most famous black eye in rock ‘n’ roll.
Robby Krieger is the guitarist for the legendary rock band The Doors and the songwriter behind some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Love Me Two Times,” “Touch Me,” “Love Her Madly,” and their #1 smash, “Light My Fire.” The Doors have sold over a hundred million albums worldwide, inspired a major feature film, been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy®, and been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Robby is a Grammy®-nominated solo artist and was listed among the “100 Greatest Guitarists” of all time by Rolling Stone. He is also an accomplished painter and the co-founder of the annual Medlock-Krieger Rock & Roll Golf Classic & All-Star Concert.
Jeff Alulis is the co-author of Robby Kreiger’s memoir. He is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories. He holds an MFA from USC’s Graduate Screenwriting Program, he has directed several award-winning music-based documentaries, and he has toured as the vocalist for seminal punk bands Dead Kennedys and Reagan Youth. Aside from writing, film, and music he is an avid traveler, and he documents his journeys at TrueAdventureStories.com.
“Doors guitarist Krieger riffs melodiously through the discordant and harmonious measures of his life and times with the band in this galloping, episodic debut…His most insightful moments come in his reflections on songwriting, ‘a constant reminder that music is infinite.’ Krieger’s engrossing stories are sure to be relished by fans.” ―Publishers Weekly
Few bands are as shrouded in the murky haze of rock mythology as The Doors, and parsing fact from fiction has been a virtually impossible task. But now, after fifty years, The Doors’ notoriously quiet guitarist is finally breaking his silence to set the record straight. Krieger opens up about the band’s meteoric career, his own darkest moments, and the most famous black eye in rock ’n’ roll.
Through a series of vignettes, Robby Krieger takes readers back to where it all happened: the pawn shop where he bought his first guitar; the jail cell he was tossed into after a teenage drug bust; his parents’ living room where his first songwriting sessions with Jim Morrison took place; the empty bars and backyard parties where The Doors played their first awkward gigs; the studios where their iconic songs were recorded; and the many concert venues that erupted into historic riots. SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE is packed with never-before-told stories from The Doors’ most vital years, and offers a fresh perspective on the most infamous moments of the band’s career.
Krieger also goes into heartbreaking detail about his life’s most difficult struggles, ranging from drug addiction to cancer, but he balances out the sorrow with humorous anecdotes about run-ins with unstable fans, famous musicians, and one really angry monk. SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE is at once an insightful time capsule of the ‘60s counterculture, a moving reflection on what it means to find oneself as a musician, and a touching tale of a life lived non-traditionally. It’s not only a must-read for Doors fans, but an essential volume of American pop culture history.

[@LiveTalksLA]

Signed books can be purchased in this link: livetalksla.square.site/product/robbykrieger/456

[@scottharrison9083]

The most versatile rock guitarist in history.

[@jonnicklison449]

You are a lucky man to be able to discuss this with Robby

[@stevetilbrook3402]

listening to his guitar with the doors is a wonder it was utterly inspired and original.

[@johnstallings4049]

The Doors are one of the truly great 60's American psychedelic bands ever! It's a shame thier career was so short! Great interview! ❄️🌍❄️

[@theclashcalling_]

Six gold albums in as may years isn't a short career. To pigeon hplease them as merely a psychedelic band is as equally ill informed an opinion.

[@johnstallings4049]

@@theclashcalling_ their career was even shorter than the Beatles imma deadhead and my favorite band celebrated 50 years together.

[@bluewendigo672]

One of the Great?.....THE DOORS was the Greatest psychedelic Band of the 60s.

[@johnstallings4049]

@@bluewendigo672 I like Grateful Dead and Rolling Stones better personally.

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Robbie is so cool, unpretentious. Gives the best interviews to capture that period. He has nothing to prove, no agenda to push. 👍🎬

[@sethbank6425]

What a down to earth fellow.

[@sonictype]

Robby, how can you be so divine and humble at the same time?

[@normaharrod527]

Heroine haha jk no really

[@skips376]

It was an outstanding Book! My Wife Stole my Copy from me and I had to buy another! GREAT GUYS!

[@DavidLilly-yc6ww]

I have a copy of the Doors show they talked about where Jim made a spoken tribute to the other acts who played there on 13 Sep 69 at Varsity Stadium, Toronto, ON , CA. If Robby or Jeff are interested in hearing the speech and the show, I'll be happy to send it.

[@garycarlson6859]

I love Robbie Krieger. His playing is still in my head or subconscious mind since 1967.

[@ballantine58]

This interview should be on an ASMR channel. His voice is very soothing makes me sleepy.

[@drumstick74]

*12K* views, and only 281 Likes? Cheap ingrates *lol* This is one of the living legends right here.

[@zroy9263]

I highly recommend his autobiography! It's a very easy, informative, and entertaining read! Robby Krieger is easily in the top forty of all-time greatest guitar players in modern music history! Not to mention a brilliant songwriter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. He has an amazingly unique sound and playing style. He's also versatile. His latest works like The RITUAL BEGINS AT SUNDOWN and The Soul Survivors are phenomenal! He's still developing as a guitar player by expanding his music and sounds. It's pathetic that he's so underrated. Long live the great Robby Krieger and the doors!

[@simonchaddock3694]

Rock on robbie

[@wk4max263]

We LOVE YOU ROBBIE !!!😁

[@thomasbehrend7562]

Robbie, God bless you Sir. I got your autograph back i2006 at the Whiskey event. So much respect

[@whoisthisband]

I love you Robby Krieger your music changed my life and I always look forward to hearing more from you and John 💖💖🥰!!!!!

[@gregthompson3274]

Reading the book now and enjoying it honest humble account, well done Robby 👍

[@1rwjwith]

I am just finishing the book now.a very illuminating read! Having been a DOORS fan since 1966 there were a LOT OF THINGS I NEVER HEARD ABOUT. I certainly never knew Robbie was a heroin addict later in the 70’s-80’s. I loved reading the inside story of creating the songs, those are the best parts of it. Thanks ROBBIE!

[@ballantine58]

Oh wow, he never mentions that in his interviews. He did mention he never drank back in the day. That jim did the drinking and acid. Lol.

[@ballantine58]

In fact he dosent admit to any drug use while in the doors or after. Lol.

[@1rwjwith]

@@ballantine58 you should read his autobiography it’s all there .

[@zyrrhos]

@@1rwjwith Did you ever get to see them play?

[@jrnash5329]

Hey Robby great job on the book , very captivating & really held me all the way through ! I saw you play at the Keystone Palo Alto I think it was your 1st solo album wow what a show , I've always been amazed by your talent & how COOL you really are !! Thanks for inspiring me to create & the soundtrack to my life !!!!!

[@samflora9675]

Living legend! Never knew that tie thing man that’s crazy. Mesmerising man.

[@RedyPiper]

Enjoyed this so much 👍✌️❤️

[@GrandpaEggMusic]

Great interview. Really nice to hear the stories that didn't make the book! Hopefully one day they will release the full 600+page version :)

[@popstar4604]

Book is amazing! Thank you Robbie

[@djquinn11]

The Doors became my favorite band at 14, in 60 now and they’re still one of my all time favorites. Robbie lived some real history.

[@wk4max263]

Hah Yeah!! me too 😁

[@mikesagondeez6378]

this is great man id love to meet Robby n John one day

[@thomasbehrend7562]

Robbie, thank you so much.

[@lukasbelinski1268]

i love the door's they are all great i really like jim but sometimes i just lisen to the solos they play so good together

[@rogersulser3904]

Robbie b a legend who refuses to let the music b over die hard rocker.

[@PAULLONDEN]

Thanks..........Interesting . Glad he's still with us, one got the impression he was somewhat on death's doorstep.

[@jamesblack8173]

For any die harrds who haven't read the book yet, the story about Robbie meeting Willie Dixon is wonderful!

[@thomasbehrend7562]

Robbie, thank you so much. So much respect for your memories

[@kimmyray1234]

Very interesting 👌 Thanks 😊 ima pick the book up on Amazon now . Sounds like a fantastic read! 📚

[@clausm2203]

Great interview

[@Ourtown_English_Schools]

Robby Krieger I love you 😍

[@dynjarren8355]

I heard some things that I didn’t know from Kreiger in earlier interviews about the Doors and Morrison. One was that he said Morrison was sick and coughing up blood before he left for Paris. That’s disturbing and telling. He kept drinking and died in Paris months later. Seeing blood is always a bad sign and requires medical attention. But Jim didn’t get help. So the writing was on the wall already. Alice Cooper, who was a drinking buddy of Jim’s in LA years ago, quit drinking and saved his life. He’s still alive today but Jim didn’t quit and it cost him his life.

[@goesjem]

It is pretty well documented though that Jim was pretty straight in Paris. He had cleaned up. All respect to you though. Your advice is correct. I just think it was too late for Jim. Jimi Hendrix however was another story.... Know what I mean?

[@dynjarren8355]

@@goesjem I appreciate your reply but it’s not about me. I heard Krieger mention the coughing up of blood by Jim in an interview on KZbin. I was shocked. Not my words. So that’s what I repeated. Krieger was there. He knew Jim well and was his friend. If anyone tells me they are coughing up blood, I tell them to go to Emergency and get medical attention immediately. Also, blood🩸in the stool. These are bad signs that something is seriously wrong. My friend had a golfing buddy who said he was urinating blood years ago. He was also a heavy drinker. He got medical Attention and stopped drinking and it saved his life. Ignore these signals at your own peril. That’s all I was saying. I’m not being disrespectful in any way. Poor Jim didn’t get help and ignored it and he ended up dying young. That’s tragic! Take care.

[@aidkil]

I think it's great that Robbie has finally done a biography it takes a big commitment and a lot of courage. I know he has a lot to say and is an important addition to music history.

[@thomasbehrend7562]

I like these recollections from Robbie

[@leandroventuragautier5188]

Legend

[@zyrrhos]

Jim's speech Robby refers to at 28:20 "I can remember when I was in about the seventh or eighth grade… I can can remember when rock ‘n’ roll first came on the scene, and for me it was a very liberating experience because it burst open whole new strange catacombs of wisdom that I couldn’t remember and didn’t know about and I couldn’t see any equivalent for in my surroundings… and that’s why for me this evening it’s been really a great honor to perform on the same stage with so many illustrious musical geniuses…" Then he launches into The End.

[@voidmoon.]

♥️🙏🏽🌹

[@strangersname]

You can listen to Jim's speech that Robby refers to - 28:20 - at the Toronto festival in '69 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4fZeZ14pbOrd5Y Starts about Forty-one/twenty-three in. It truly is a beautiful ode to the early rockers.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Real cool Gentleman

[@brianhenderson1977]

cool

[@garycarlson6859]

I like your shirt...it says a lot.

[@robertbarr-oi6rx]

Write a second book Robby people love hearing Doors stories

[@chadclay1643]

The books the best one by far on the Doors I reckon

[@zyrrhos]

You reckon? lol You don't seem too sure about that.

[@chadclay1643]

@@zyrrhos I bet your a great conversationalist, chicks love you , dudes envy you etc

[@zyrrhos]

@@chadclay1643 Well is it the best one by far or not? What other ones have you read?

[@chadclay1643]

@@zyrrhos yes it’s the best, as I said in the original comment, I’ve read rays story time, johns snooze fest and sugermans tabloid extravaganza, now why are you triggered by my reckoning of this book

[@jonnicklison449]

Robby tells it as it is I always thought Jim writes the line about the bathroom is clear (H house) Read the book Big eye opening

[@aroldovilela5762]

the best guitarist in rock

[@marvelherman419]

Man this coke zero is good! Good golly miss molly la woman!

[@deannabattaglia4488]

Hi

[@rickebrite5409]

Robbie done got himself in trouble with Lynn again not remembering her story 😂😂

[@philipandersson4932]

The crazy guy with the blonde hair 😂 lmfao 😂

[@ADAMSIXTIES]

Didn't he play banjo in Deliverance?

[@fmradio42]

you sound like generation zero.

[@7294smk]

Man I love the Jim Morrison and the Doors but how long can you talk about 52 plus years ago.

[@paulcasino1]

robbie,yu need to help me finish a song

[@jonnicklison449]

Just don’t ever try to sell to car advertising 😂

[@El_Hicks]

god dammit. robbie just called paris blues "kind of a stupid blues anyway". i guess i should give up on that dream. sigh.

[@lorenheard2561]

Love Robbie,he does his thing.. you do yours!!🤙👍💯%Your Blues are your own.🐦💙

[@formansbasement2311]

Well guess what pal? It just got released. And its not a stupid blues its actually really good. Check it out brother, you should be able to find it on youtube

[@donniemoder1466]

So low key in this interview.

[@mtp4430]

Donnie Moder He was always laid back and low key in all his interviews. He's always a pleasure to listen to both with his guitar and without his guitar.

[@formansbasement2311]

It is important to loosen the anus and relax it

[@idastetis9173]

Robby is a mason, hm.... a lot of doors are opening up in my mind about this info

[@morrison7513]

number one guitarist😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@crypttonite]

those early photos were probably from Lookout Mountain US INTEL MOVIE STUDIO

[@JonyOculus-mq1ln]

Bohemian Grove is CONSPIRACY FACT. Been know and documented for years now.

[@crypttonite]

the truth behind the black eye is that another person in the car ended up in a wheelchair, so the story isn’t exactly a choice topic.