The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm” is one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
And fans can experience this classic — which was released as the second single from The Doors’ fantastic sixth album, 1971’s “L.A. Woman” — in a whole new way beginning on Jan. 9.
That’s the day when a drastically reimagined version of the song will be released on YouTube. The project was spearheaded by, and acts as a fundraiser for, Playing For Change, a nonprofit organization that supports music and arts education in more than two dozen countries.
This new “Riders on the Storm” video also celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Doors, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act that was formed by vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore in the great city of Los Angeles in 1965.
We had a chance to get an advance look at the video — which made its debut on the big screen immediately prior to the newly remastered 4K release of The Doors documentary “When You’re Strange” in early December — and it’s amazing.
Krieger and Densmore, the two surviving members of The Doors, are the backbone of the video, revisiting the signature guitar and drums parts more than a half-century after they were originally laid to wax.
From there, however, the video leaves The Doors’ native SoCal and heads off around the world to draw upon musical contributions from more than 20 musicians and dancers from eight different countries.
Performers include the Lakota Drum Group, Lukas and Micah Nelson, Sierra Ferrell, Rami Jaffee, Boboulay Sissokho, Macarena Montesinos, Guarani Andeva Group, Iron Cult Dancers and Don Was.
This global collaboration also highlights Morrison’s iconic original vocal work and Manzarek’s other-worldly keyboard performance (which is as moving and memorable as any keyboard part ever captured in a rock song).
To check out the video, go to YouTube — after it goes live on Jan. 9 — and just search “Playing For Change” “Riders on the Storm.”
The Mercury News
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