Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series 2024-2025: Robby Krieger of The Doors

The Center of Anna Maria Island is proud to present live music at The Center with the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Robby Krieger was convinced by a Chuck Berry concert to give rock music a go, which resulted in the guitarist trading in his classical guitar in for a Gibson SG, an instrument that would eventually become his signature instrument. Studying physics and Indian music at UCLA, Krieger played in bands with friends, and eventually bumped into a drummer he’d met a few years before, John Densmore. The two began jamming on blues together, while Krieger’s interest in Indian music and culture continued to flourish, as he began dabbling with sitars (studying at the Kinnara School, which was founded by Ravi Shankar), and attending meditation classes. It was at one of these meditation classes that Krieger met keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Manzarek eventually convinced Krieger to come down and rehearse with a poet/singer he’d been working with, Jim Morrison. Their first rehearsal supposedly resulted in the penning of “Moonlight Drive,” resulting in the birth of the Doors.