Ever since I fell in love with The Doors, I’ve dreamed about telling one of them personally just how much their music means to me. By the good grace of social media, that dream finally came true. I sent guitarist Robby Krieger some pieces I’ve written about The Doors, and I asked if I could interview him, crossing my fingers that if anything he would at least read my writing. Then I got the message — be ready in an hour to talk to Robby. I couldn’t believe it! I was about to have an amazing conversation with one of my rock and roll heroes. I was more than excited, I was ready.
Robby Krieger is a rock legend, so naturally I was nervous at first. But after the first minute or so, my nerves went away. He’s very personable and extremely easy to talk with.
Now I couldn’t talk to Robby without talking a little (or a lot) about Jim Morrison. As much as the whole world was saddened and shocked by Jim’s death, I can’t even imagine how his band members must have felt. Just after The Doors finished recording L.A Woman, Jim left for Paris never to return. With confidence, Robby said he had no doubt in his mind that Jim intended to come home, and continue making music as a part of The Doors.
“He just wanted to get away for a while; it wasn’t like The Doors had broken up at that point, so it was really a shock when we heard about him dying. We didn’t really believe it. We thought it was just another rumor.”
Jim is buried at the beautiful Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France. I told Robby about my experience there last summer, and how it took me forever to find Jim’s grave in the gigantic cemetery. I’d been searching for about 30 minutes until I heard someone playing “Peace Frog” in the distance. I followed the music and it led me straight to Jim’s site covered in roses of just about every color. There were about 10 people there at the time, paying their respects and listening to his music. It was the most surreal moment of my life.
“I can see why he loved that place, with all the great poets and actors who are buried there.”
I feel that I am connected to Jim Morrison and his words. Just by reading his poetry and lyrics, I feel as if I understand him — something I wish my readers are able to do through my writing. Jim’s ability to communicate and connect to his audience through his words is something I truly admire, and the fact that he was such an open book makes me realize that imperfections are okay as long as you don’t hide away in fear.
“He was the kind of guy that wasn’t afraid to show all of his feelings. Even if he was really down, he would share that with everybody. He was a real people person, and I think that’s why people connected with him so much.”
Some might find it strange that I’m so young but have such a strong connection with the music of The Doors, but Robby said many people, much younger than me even, tell him the same thing all the time.
“It just connects, it doesn’t matter how old people are.”
Robby said his greatest memories of Jim were back before The Doors made it big, when Jim stayed at his house and they were working on their songs.
“He wasn’t the wild and crazy Jim Morrison yet. He was definitely unusual; he was a very different guy, but he was serious about it. He had these ideas for the songs and he knew exactly what he wanted. He had a vision of it. Later on it just got too crazy. He didn’t have the discipline I think you need to carry out a vision. That’s why Ray was so great for the band because he was older, about eight years older than us, he kind of kept everything on a level plane.
Listen to my entire interview with Robby Krieger from 7/2/14:
