Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last week on the blog we celebrated Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger’s 80th birthday. A few days after that post, he & drummer John Densmore were featured in the this year’s Song Around The World by Playing For Change. Three minutes into the video we are treated to pictures of the four original Doors members, then a little later solo photos of both keyboardist Ray Manzarek & lead singer Jim Morrison emerge, while parts of their contributions from the original recording can be heard. In fact, his vocal is the outro for the new version which is such a massive nod to the power of the initial track that still resonates 55 years after its release in April 1971 on the album, L.A. Woman. Immense respect to all involved-especially Densmore and Krieger-for giving the band the utmost tribute.

The 2026 version features Lukas Nelson, Don Was, Micah Nelson, Rami Jaffee, The Red Cloud Drum Group and many others. Playing For change was founded in 2002 by Mark Johnson and Whitney Kroenke. As stated on their website, their goal is to “inspire and connect the world through music”. In the past they have paid tribute to other classic songs such as Yussuf’s (f/k/a Cat Stevens) “Peace Train”, John Lennon’s “Imagine” & U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”. I am so happy The Doors are now part of this incredible music project.

John Densmore (L, on drums) and Robby Krieger (R, on guitar) of The Doors performing in Playing For Change’s latest project, “Riders On The Storm”. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Picture of The Doors (L-R: Robby Krieger and Jim Morrison (both standing) with Ray Manzarek and John Densmore, circa 1967, featured in Playing For Change’s “Riders On The Storm” project. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The top of the credit screen at the end of the video salutes both Manzarek and Morrison and lists Densmore as a producer. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir died January 10, 2026 at age 78. I liked a few of the band’s songs but was not a Deadhead by any means. Yet I always understood the power of their music & what it did for the industry and for their fans. The band formed 60 years ago in California in 1965 with Weir as a founding member on rhythm guitar and vocals. They lasted 30 years together before they disbanded at the end of 1995, prompted by the death of lead guitarist and vocalist Jerry Garcia on August 9, 1995.

During their three decades together, many members of The Dead had side projects. For Weir-born Robert Hall Parber on October 16, 1947 in San Francisco, California-his included his first solo album, Ace, in May 1972 along with tenures in other bands including Kingfish, Bobby and the Midnites and Ratdog.

When Garcia died in 1995, flags were flown at half staff in his hometown of San Francisco, California including a tie-dyed one over City Hall. One of New York City’s landmarks chose to honor Weir with a similar tribute by changing the colors at the top of the Empire State Building as shown on their IG page with the caption-“Tonight we will shine in tie-dye to honor the life and legacy of Bob Weir“. Such is the power of music.

Salute to Bob Weir courtesy of the Empire State Building’s IG page.  

I love the placement of one of The Dead’s most touching and introspective tracks in the 1985 movie, “Mask”. The song-written by Jerry Garcia and lryicist Robert Hunter-delivers a fitting sentiment as a farewell to one of the band’s most pivotal members. Rest in peace, Bob Weir.

“If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung
Would you hear my voice come through the music?
Would you hold it near as it were your own?

It’s a hand-me-down the thoughts are broken
Perhaps they’re better left unsung
I don’t know don’t really care
Let there be songs to fill the air

Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow“.

There is a road, no simple highway
Between the dawn and the dark of night
And if you go no one may follow
That path is for your steps alone“.

Jerry Garcia (L) and Bob Weir (R) on “Late Night with David Letterman” in September 1987.

Weir (L) and Garcia (R) on “Late Night with David Letterman” in October 1989. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Doors: “Riders On The Storm” (1971, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Morrison and Jim Morrison).

Playing For Change: “Riders On The Storm” (2026, written by The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Morrison and Jim Morrison).

Grateful Dead: “Ripple” (1970, written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter).

Bob Weir: “Playing In The Band” (1972, written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir). 

Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir: “I Second That Emotion” (Live performance on “Late Night With David Letterman” on October 13, 1989. Written by Al Cleveland and William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

Stay safe & well.