Robby Krieger mourns wife of 50 years and the inspiration for the Doors’ hit “Love Her Madly”: “The only person I've ever met who lets me be me”
The guitarist confirms Lynn Ann Veres' death at 79, paying tribute to the woman who inspired one of the Doors’ biggest hits
The Doors’ guitarist Robby Krieger has confirmed that his wife of more than 50 years, Lynn Ann Veres, died last week at age 79. The couple married in 1972, when they were both in their mid-20s.
“I am so sorry I can’t share this news in person,” Krieger wrote on Instagram. “After more than 50 years of love and marriage, my wife Lynn Ann Veres passed away peacefully.” Referring to their son, he added: “Waylon and I were with her until the end. Will miss her so much. Your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated.”
Krieger did not disclose the cause of her death, although some reports suggested she had been battling a long illness. Among those offering condolences, Joe Satriani wrote, “So sorry Robby,” while Phil Soussan and Rudy Sarzo also sent messages of support.
Lynn was the inspiration behind the Doors’ song “Love Her Madly,” released in 1971. The track, which features the lyrics “Don’t you love her madly? / Don’t you need her badly? / Don’t you love her ways? … Don’t you love her as she’s walkin’ out the door / Like she did one thousand times before?” was one of the band’s biggest hits.
Appearing on L.A. Woman, the song reached Number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. “This was about my girlfriend, and now my wife,” Krieger told LA Weekly in 2012. “She had a bad temper, and when she’d get mad, she’d slam the door, and the house would shake.”
According to various accounts, Lynn had initially pursued Doors singer Jim Morrison after meeting him in 1966. She and Krieger eventually got together when they were both single, marrying on Christmas Day 1972. Their son, Waylon — who has since performed alongside his father — was born in September 1973.
Krieger dedicated his 2021 memoir, Set the Night on Fire, to Lynn, describing her as a “fireball spirit” and “the only person I've ever met who lets me be me.”
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Martin Kielty is an established music journalist who has written for The Daily Record, The Sun, The Herald, The Scotsman, Classic Rock, Prog, Loudersound.com and many other outlets. He’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a group he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. He’s appeared on TV, and when not delving intro all things music can be found traveling along the U.K.’s vast canal network.