Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robby Krieger’s Net Worth?
Robby Krieger, a celebrated American guitarist and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the iconic rock band The Doors, has accumulated a substantial net worth over his illustrious career. As of 2025, Robby Krieger’s net worth is estimated to be around $15 million. This figure primarily stems from his contributions to The Doors, including songwriting royalties, record sales, and touring revenue, as well as his solo musical endeavors and other projects.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on January 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Robby Krieger’s early life laid the foundation for his future musical success. He attended Hebrew school and later enrolled at Menlo School, a private college preparatory school in Atherton, California. It was during his time at Menlo School that Krieger began to explore his passion for music, teaching himself how to play the guitar during study hall. Krieger also studied flamenco guitar under scholar Frank Chin. He furthered his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, before fully dedicating himself to music. He also studied under Indian sitarist Ravi Shankar at the Kinnara School of Music in Los Angeles, further broadening his musical horizons. In the mid-1960s, Krieger joined drummer John Densmore in the band the Psychedelic Rangers, setting the stage for the formation of The Doors.
The Doors: A Defining Chapter
The mid-1960s marked a pivotal moment in Robby Krieger’s career as he joined forces with keyboardist Ray Manzarek, Manzarek’s brothers, and vocalist Jim Morrison to form Rick & the Ravens. In 1965, the band underwent a transformation, rebranding themselves as The Doors, with the lineup consisting of Krieger, Densmore, Manzarek, and Morrison. The band quickly gained traction, securing a residency at the London Fog nightclub on Los Angeles’s Sunset Strip, before moving on to become the house band at the Whisky a Go Go. Krieger’s innovative fingerstyle approach to the electric guitar and his diverse musical influences played a crucial role in the band’s rise to prominence. In 1967, The Doors released their self-titled debut album through Elektra Records. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200, and featured the hit single “Light My Fire”, which was co-written by Krieger. Later in 1967, The Doors released the album “Strange Days,” which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. In 1968, the band released the album “Waiting for the Sun,” which became the Doors’ first and only number-one album on the charts and spawned the hit single “Hello, I Love You.” In 1969, the band released “The Soft Parade,” followed in the early 1970s by “Morrison Hotel” and “L.A. Woman,” the latter of which was the last Doors album recorded before Morrison’s passing in 1971. Following Morrison’s death in 1971, the remaining members of The Doors continued as a trio, releasing the albums “Other Voices” and “Full Circle.” The Doors disbanded in 1973. The Doors reunited in 1978 and released their final studio album, “An American Prayer.” His songwriting contributions, including hits like “Light My Fire,” “Touch Me,” and “Love Her Madly,” have generated substantial royalties over the years, significantly contributing to Robby Krieger’s net worth.
Post-Doors Projects and Solo Career
Following the disbandment of The Doors in 1973, Robby Krieger ventured into new musical territories, forming Butts Band with his former bandmate John Densmore. The band signed with Blue Thumb Records and released two studio albums, a self-titled debut in 1973 and “Hear and Now” in 1975. After Butts Band disbanded in 1975, Krieger embarked on a solo career. His first solo album, “Robbie Krieger & Friends,” was released in 1977, showcasing his versatility as a musician. Krieger’s next album was “Versions,” released in 1982, and featured his former Doors bandmates Densmore and Manzarek. His self-titled third solo album, an entirely instrumental album, came out in 1985. In 1989, Krieger released “No Habla” and the compilation album “Door Jams.” He released the instrumental fusion album “Cinematix” in 2000. In 2010, Krieger released “Singularity,” which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album. A decade later, he released “The Ritual Begins at Sundown.” In 1991, Krieger formed the Robby Krieger Band, featuring his son Waylon on guitar, Berry Oakley Jr. on bass, Dale Alexander on keyboards, and Ray Mehlbaum on drums. These ventures, while not reaching the commercial heights of The Doors, have added to Robby Krieger’s net worth through album sales, live performances, and other related income streams.
Collaborations and Other Musical Endeavors
In addition to his solo work, Robby Krieger has engaged in various collaborations and other musical endeavors, further diversifying his income sources. In 2008, Krieger performed with Animals singer Eric Burdon at a concert at Ventura Beach in California, which was later released on DVD by ZYX Records. In 2012, he toured with the Roadhouse Rebels, and in 2013, he played with the Southern rock jam band Gov’t Mule in New York City. In 2018, Krieger joined Alice in Chains at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles to close out the band’s concert. These collaborations showcase Krieger’s versatility and willingness to explore different musical styles, contributing to his overall earnings.
Real Estate Investments
Robby Krieger’s real estate investments have also played a role in his financial portfolio. With his wife Lynn, Krieger once owned a custom-built, hexagonal home in Bel Air featuring 6,600 square feet of living space on a 1.4-acre property. They lived there through the early 1970s. Fred Durst owned the home in the 1990s. In 2018 a different owner sold it for $9.6 million. While specific details about his current real estate holdings are not publicly available, it is likely that he has continued to invest in real estate, contributing to his overall net worth.
Publication of Memoir
In 2021, Robby Krieger released his memoir, “Set the Night on Fire: Living, Dying, and Playing Guitar with the Doors,” co-authored by writer, documentary filmmaker, and former Dead Kennedys singer Jeff Penalty. The book provides a candid account of Krieger’s life and experiences with The Doors, offering insights into the band’s music, dynamics, and legacy. While the financial gains from the memoir are not publicly disclosed, it is likely that the book has generated additional income for Krieger through royalties and sales.
