Over 20 musicians and dancers from eight countries will come together for a new version of “Riders on the Storm,” set to be released on YouTube on January 9. Guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore, the two surviving members of the legendary band, revisit their iconic parts in a video produced by Playing For Change. This project celebrates the 60th anniversary of the band, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek, Krieger, and Densmore.
The new track features Lukas and Micah Nelson, Sierra Ferrell, Foo Fighters keyboardist Rami Jaffee, and producer Don Was. It also includes performances from the Lakota Drum Group, Boboulay Sissokho, Macarena Montesinos, Guarani Andeva Group, and Iron Cult Dancers. Archival vocals from Morrison are included, along with a tribute to Manzarek.
Fans can catch a preview on Playing For Change’s social media channels. The video was shown in theaters in early December before screenings of the newly remastered 4K documentary, When You’re Strange, which opened on December 4.
Playing For Change is a nonprofit that supports music and arts education in over 25 countries. They have produced more than 70 Song Around the World videos, featuring musicians collaborating on covers from different locations. This new cover of “Riders on the Storm” will help fund Playing For Change Foundation’s first music program in the U.S., organized with the First Peoples Fund, an Indigenous-led nonprofit that uplifts Indigenous communities.
The video premiere is set for one day after Krieger’s 80th birthday. He has two shows lined up for next year in the Los Angeles area: February 27 at the Grove of Anaheim and March 28 at Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood.
