Set the Night on Fire

Living, Dying, and Playing Guitar with the Doors

By: Robby Krieger, Jeff Alulis

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

In his first book ever, legendary Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”, opens up about The Doors’ meteoric career, his own darkest moments, and the most famous black eye in rock ‘n’ roll.

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 50 years, The Doors’ notoriously quiet guitarist is finally breaking his silence to set the record straight.

Through a series of vignettes, Robby Krieger takes listeners 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-listen for Doors fans, but an essential volume of American pop culture history.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Robby Krieger (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“Doors guitarist Krieger riffs melodiously through the discordant and harmonious measures of his life and times with the band in this galloping, episodic debut.” (Publishers Weekly)

Beautiful

Thank you Robby for sharing your life and music with us. We the fans will never forget.

Loved every minute of it!

The narrator was fab. The story was great!
it had a Doors music flow to it.

How Does Thus Happen?

Robby impressed with searing descriptions of his (and his wife's) descent into drug addiction after Morrison's death. Details were included that didn't have to be, but as a result made the narrative all the more real, painful, and even embarrassing for Robby to reveal. Yet while The Doors were still recording and touring Robby appeared to be the calming center and glue that held the band together, especially given Morrison's constant craziness.

Robbie K

Loved it , Have the hard cover , revealed new insights into the phenomena that was the Doors. Going to listen again and again

Outstanding ride

This is a fantastic ride; laughter, thrills and tears....I'm actually slow reader and am very thankful for audio books like this to listen multiple times

Wow!!

I thought the narrator was Robby Krueger which made this book even more entertaining. Nice to have the rest of the story told truthfully.

Great Book

This is a great birds-eye view of an iconic band written by someone who is certainly well qualified to tell the story. Having grown up in Los Angeles as a teenager in the 60s, everything resonated with me. I think that Robby’s recollection and characterization of the band members was honest, and provided much insight into the inner workings of the band, their experiences, frustrations and successes. A very interesting and enjoyable read.

A must-read for Doors fans.

Every second of this book had me listening intently. I can’t recommend this enough. 10/10.

Great Book

If you're a fan of The doors or music biographies then you'll love this. The doors were my favorite classic rock band when I was a teenager. And I couldn't get enough of the stories/legends/myths. This book helps clear everything up as best it can be.

Truest version I've heard

Being a fan naturally, I have heard all the over inflated antics told of Jim Morrison and the Doors. Robby gives fans what I feel is a true and fair account of the bands history. I love biographies, and this one is now one of my favorites. He told the story as if he was telling it over a cup of coffee, simple, plane, and a matter of fact. Also, Mr. Boutsikaris performs a wonderful narration of the book, which keeps the reader as if they are a part of the story. I wish every fan and/or anyone beginning interest in the group would read this first before getting bogged down with all the exaggeration that has plagued this band for so many years.