Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages – The Doors Guitarist Invades the Tuscany Copa Room!

Robby Krieger and the Soul Savages played the Tuscany Hotel’s Copa Room on Friday, April 24, 2026.

How many bands are there out there who are as iconic as the Doors? Fronted by Jim Morrison, the group had a brief but brilliant flicker in the classic rock spotlight, featuring the talents of Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore. Even after Morrison’s all-too-young death at the age of 27 in 1971, the band attempted to stay afloat with mixed results. Krieger and Densmore reunited a few years after Jim’s passing in the short-lived Butts Band, which released two albums. There was also an attempt at a “Doors of the 21st Century” band with Krieger and Manzarek (Densmore did not participate) that also featured Cult and Police members, though this was halted with Manzarek’s death in 2013. To this day, the two surviving members of the band continue to do their part to stay in the spotlight. With the Soul Savages, guitarist Krieger delighted Vegas audiences at the Tuscany’s Copa Room last Friday.

The Tuscany’s Copa Room (not to be confused with the similarly named venue at the Bootlegger restaurant on South Las Vegas Blvd.) continues to pick up the slack in the void left by the closure of Count’s Vamp’d last summer (a venue that Krieger did play at once). Mike, Brian, Grayson, Mitch, and all the Tuscany staff have given Vegas rock and roll fans a fantastic place they can go to experience live music (the venue is also used for comedy shows and a long-running Rat Pack tribute), and Robby Krieger is certainly the biggest rock and roll name the club has ever attracted. I was enthused, but was also a bit fearful as to whether the small venue would be able to accommodate a man who played with one of classic rock’s most legendary bands… this was a sold out show, after all!

One issue I do need to address that has become problematic for recent shows at the Tuscany is the presence of a Grateful Dead beer event out back in the parking lot, likely to coincide with the Phish concerts at Sphere. The problem here is that Tuscany does not have a parking garage, and holding this event takes up a good chunk of the free parking they offer, making finding a space a nightmare. I actually had to park my car at a different casino and walk back (thankfully there are a few options if one doesn’t mind a bit of a walk). On a weeknight, when rock bands aren’t playing the Tuscany’s Copa Room, this is fine. But when it conflicts with the regularly scheduled entertainment on stage, it’s a disaster for anyone who drives their own car and wishes to attend the gigs. This can’t continue. These events are a great idea for the Deadheads and the Phish fans, but they need to be moved somewhere else, preferably a place with a parking garage and more space.

Anyway, now that that’s out of the way, how was the actual gig? I’m pleased to say that Mr. Krieger, though certainly not a young man anymore, is still a fantastic guitarist. Even at 80 years of age, the guy is still filling venues and has a great band in his corner. The Soul Savages feature Krieger alongside keyboardist Ed Roth, bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon, and drummer Franklin Vanderbilt. While I was admittedly unfamiliar with these additional band members, a quick Google search did turn up some impressive musicians they’d played with over the years, ranging from Ringo Starr to Beyonce! Were they capable of entertaining alongside a former member of the Doors?

Although the show started earlier than advertised (I was told doors open at 7:30 with 8:00 start time but he apparently started at 7:30, meaning I missed the first two or so songs), I’m happy to report that every musician on the Copa Room stage was up for the task and then some. The setlist was an interesting hodgepodge of Krieger’s instrumental jazz-flavored guitar music and some Doors covers which Krieger brought up a guest vocalist for, including “The Crystal Ship” and “Riders on the Storm,” although Krieger himself did the vocals on “Back Door Man,” a Willie Dixon tune the Doors famously covered on their 1967 Paul Rothchild-produced debut album. Fans expecting this to only be a “Doors Greatest Hits” set might have been in for a shock, but personally, the stuff I found myself the most pleasantly surprised by was the jazzy instrumental stuff with which I was not familiar prior to this gig.

Clearly I’ve been missing out.

My fears of the Tuscany’s Copa Room being too small and congested to host a living legend like Krieger were, fortunately, laid to rest very quickly. The room was jam-packed (again, the show was sold out), but it was a surprisingly intimate environment and never felt wall-to-wall stuffed with people; I was actually able to move and breathe! I’d gladly go see Mr. Krieger again if he brings his Soul Savages to the Tuscany.

Robby Krieger’s status as a member of the Doors is undeniable; few classic rock bands are so iconic. But there’s a whole other side to the man that needs to be experienced and discovered, as I learned on this evening, with instrumental jazz rock that stands in a league of its own. He’s 80, but he’s not getting off the stage. And that’s okay with me if he can deliver like he did on this evening. Don’t hesitate to catch this living legend on a live stage if the opportunity comes your way.

PHOTO CREDIT: All live photos by Stephy Muzio for ZRockR Magazine – (c) 2026- All Rights Reserved.

***EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to the sold out show and demand for tickets, Robby will be back to the Copa Room at Tuscany on June 12. Doors at 6:30 – Show starts promptly at 7:30pm! Don’t wait on the tickets as this show WILL sell out! You can get your tickets HERE: ROBBY KRIEGER AND SOUL SAVAGES AT COPA ROOM TUSCANY TICKETS