The Whisky A Go Go on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip needs no introduction. This iconic venue has jump started more musical careers than probably any other venue in the United States. One of the most famous bands that were discovered there was The Doors.
Tonight, Wednesday December 8, 2021, Robby Krieger of the Doors made his triumphant return to a sold out crowd. This was a bucket list show for not only me but, for so many others in attendance. People flew in from all over the country just to get to see this icon. Personally, I drove 400 miles to attend. Was it worth it? The answer would be emphatically, YES!
Tonight was an extra special night. Not only was it Robby’s return to the Whisky but, it was also Jim Morrison‘s birthday. In fitting fashion, the setlist was all Doors songs. While there was only one original member, two of the others on stage had a connection to the original band.
The bass player Dan Rothchild, was the son of Paul Rothchild who produced the Doors albums. Waylon Krieger (Robby’s son) provided vocals on several songs as well.
Ed Roth played the majority of the keyboards and Ty Dennis banged the drums all night. The lead singer of Wild Child (The Doors tribute band) sat in as well. Dave Brock channeled his inner Jim Morrison and Kip Patemki stepped in on keyboards both sounding and looking the part of Ray Manzerak. Dylan Medlock (son of the late Scott Medlock) provided vocals on “Spanish Caravan”, “Wishful”, “Sinful”, “Touch Me” and “Alabama Song”.
When Introducing “Light My Fire”, Robby advised don’t write your best song first. That brought laughter to the crowd as the keyboard hit the first notes of a blistering 15 minute version of the song.
Set two started out with Robby’s son Waylon providing vocals on “When The Music’s Over”. At a break between songs, Robby thanked Ronnie Haran the booking agent for the Whisky in the 1960’s, who originally brought the Doors in from the London Fog. Ronnie was, of course in attendance and gave everyone a nice wave. The last guest was vocalist Hailey Reinhart effortlessly flowing through “People are Strange” and “Crystal Ship”.
For those of us too young to have seen The Doors, this was a dream come true. Not only for me but, many of the people in attendance were in agreement as I was listening to the conversations around me. One person said they flew in from Virginia just for this show. It was a very special night.
Setlist:
Set 1
1). Lover Her Madly
2). The Wasp
3). Hello, I Love You
4). Moonlight Drive
5). Wild Child
6). Roadhouse Blues
7). Spanish Caravan
8). Wishful, Sinful
9). Touch Me
10). Alabama Song
11). Backdoor Man
12). 5 To 1
13). The Changeling
14). Light My Fire
Set 2
1). When the Music’s Over
2). Break on Through
3).Peace Frog
4). Love Me Two Times
5).People Are Strange
6).Crystal Ship
7). 20th Century Fox
8). Who Do You Love
9).Riders On the Storm
10).Soul Kitchen
Encore
11). LA Woman
12). The End
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Photographer of about 10 years, I have been shooting concerts for about 8 of those years. I started to get serious about concert photography about 6 or 7 years ago and now try to shoot as many as I can. I shoot mostly rock but, have done some country and big band stuff. I love music and since I am nowhere close to being a musician, this is a way I can be a small part of what, in the words of Henry Rollins, “gets me through the highs, the lows and everything in between”.
