Valley Weekend : ROCK TALK : Guitarist Opening New Doors to Musical Sounds, Experiments : Robby Krieger from famed ‘60s group will play with his current band at the Glendale Rocks! festival.

Robbie Krieger has nothing against the ‘60s. That’s where his career and reputation began, as guitarist for the Doors. Just don’t trap him in the role of some kind of oldies act, he says.

Part of the problem is that after the death of Doors singer Jim Morrison in 1971, Krieger essentially left pop music for some lesser-known experiments instrumental jazz-rock. There have been several solo projects since the Doors (including his new “Robby Krieger Organization Live” album), but nothing near as high-profile as his days with that hit-making band from the ‘60s.

Which certainly explains Krieger’s gig on Saturday at the Glendale Rocks! festival, where he will share the stage with such fellow ‘60s survivors as Big Brother and the Holding Company, Spirit and The Strawberry Alarm Clock.

“That’s kind of unfortunate,” Krieger says. “I don’t like that kind of a lineup really. It pigeonholes you. But there’s nothing wrong with the ‘60s. The music was so good. Most of the people there are probably going to be under 21. They’re really into it, especially the Doors. I’m always amazed at how young my audiences are.”

Krieger hasn’t exactly been distancing himself from his Doors history. The composer of the No. 1 single “Light My Fire” still mixes some Doors material into his live sets, where he’s joined by organist Skip Van Winkle and drummer Dale Alexander. And earlier this year he reunited with his Doors band mates Ray Manzarek and John Densmore to record some new material for the CD reissue of “American Prayer.”

On that 1978 album, the surviving Doors recorded musical tracks to accompany recordings of Morrison reading his poetry. “It was probably the most difficult album that I have ever done,” says Krieger. “All we had was his poetry. Then we had to put music to it. With just a guy talking it’s not easy.”

The Doors also reunited last year in New York to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. At the ceremony, Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder joined the band for a performance of four Doors songs.

Krieger has been doing his own singing lately, and says he may write some songs with vocal parts for a new studio album he hopes to have finished by early next year. It’s something that he has been urged to do for years, since pop songs are the fastest way to fame and fortune.

“You can’t do it for the money anyway,” says Krieger. “That’s the problem with the record business today: There’s so much damn money in it that the main goal becomes to make money. So you see the deterioration of the music.”

The Boss Jams: Paul Solomon last played trumpet for a living about eight years ago, when his gigs ranged from playing alongside Chuck Berry to appearances on TV’s “Fame.” He made a career of it then, working six or seven nights a week, but it wasn’t easy. And he rarely got to play his first love: straight-ahead jazz.

“Unfortunately, jazz was the only thing you couldn’t make a living at,” says Solomon. “That’s opened up a little bit.”

One of the places it has opened up is at Common Grounds, the Northridge coffeehouse Solomon bought almost three years ago. Solomon, who lives in Encino, has re-created the coffeehouse into a nighttime venue for jazz, rock, pop and folk.

But it wasn’t until recently that Solomon uncorked his own trumpet and created the Paul Solomon Quintet with saxophonist Chris Bleth, bassist Bruce Stone, guitarist Chris Strandring and drummer Dave Salinas. The unit mostly plays a moody bop style reminiscent of Chet Baker.

“Trumpet is my main thing. And you don’t forget how to play. I actually sound good--it’s just that my endurance is off. I can’t play as long as I used to.”

The quartet performs two sets beginning at 9 p.m. Sept. 18 (and about once a month) at Common Grounds, 9250 Reseda Blvd., Northridge; $2.50 minimum purchase; call (818) 882-3666.

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DETAILS

* WHAT: The Robby Krieger Organization performs with Big Brother and the Holding Company, Spirit and The Strawberry Alarm Clock.

* WHEN: Saturday at 7 p.m.

* WHERE: Glendale Rocks! festival, located on Brand Boulevard (between Broadway and Lexington), in Glendale.

* HOW MUCH: Admission is free.

* CALL: (818) 548-6464.