During an appearance on The Classic Metal Show (which you can listen to below), Dokken frontman Don Dokken confirmed the long-rumored news that he and longtime drummer Mick Brown have booked a handful of Japanese shows with former guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson — thus temporarily reuniting the lineup responsible for the group’s most commercially successful albums. But just as quickly as he giveth, Dokken taketh away, issuing a stern reminder that this is just a quick break for the current version of the band.
So what convinced the gang to get back together, even if only temporarily? Money — and lots of it. As Dokken explained, he made his terms clear 15 years ago, and it’s only now that someone has stepped up to offer the “one and a lot of zeros” he needed to justify a reunion.
“I approached George and Jeff, and I said, ‘You guys wanna make a s—load of money for about one week of work?’ And I told them the price, and I told them how much I wanted and how much they’d make, and, basically, they could make more money in one week than they’d probably make in several years. And so everybody said, ‘Okay,’” explained Dokken. “So I said, ‘Well, I’ll do it on the condition that I don’t wanna do it in America or Europe or anywhere else. Just six shows in Japan.’ ‘Cause we were very big in Japan, and it’s just a reunion tour. So they agreed, and we’re gonna do six shows in Japan.”
No matter how much money they stand to make, Dokken insists he’s very happy with his current lineup, which is free from the
“drama” that went along with the group’s biggest sales. And besides, he knows Lynch and Pilson are busy with their own projects — even if he couldn’t resist taking a little dig at his old sparring partner Lynch.
“I feel bad for my agents, ’cause they’re getting bombarded from these offers for us to play these big festivals all over the world as a reunion, but I’m just not interested. I’m sorry, I’m just not,” said Dokken. “Jeff’s busy. He plays like crazy in Foreigner. He’s on the road. George is out, you know, playing the bars with Lynch Mob, so everybody’s busy.”
Dokken also voiced his displeasure with his bandmates over their willingness to discuss the reunion before the contracts had been signed, but vowed to stay “removed” from the personality conflicts that split the lineup in 1989 — and even hinted that, while there won’t be any further shows following their six-date Japanese tour, fans could end up getting a live DVD out of all this.
Six shows isn’t a lot, and it’s worth wondering whether Dokken will manage to get through the entire itinerary, given their history of conflict — and the large role money has played in getting them back together. Brown admitted to a certain lack of enthusiasm during an appearance on Mitch Lafon’s podcast last month, saying he didn’t necessarily agree with the reasons for the reunion.
“Listen, if I had to be real honest with you, it’s the money we’re doing it for, and I think that’s the wrong reason,” said Brown. “I think the reason should be we want to play together, and I don’t think anybody wants to play together, but the money we’re being offered to do it, you can’t say no. And, to me, that’s the wrong reason. But there it is.”
source: ultimateclassicrock.com
19 Responses
…too many jabs to take…too many insults to hurl….don’t know where to start…
The Japanese fans deserve better. These guys are just gonna roll out of bed and give subpar performances. Real shame. BTW, in my opinion, Mick, Jeff and George are FAR busier and musically involved today than Don.
“George is out…playing the bars with Lynch Mob”? Is that supposed to be a cheap shot at the success of George Lynch’s band????? Don Dokken shouted “Show me the money!!”, and somebody in Japan did. Good for him, I guess, and that’s why it’s called the Music BUSINESS, with “BUSINESS” being the operative word.
Can anybody share what the issues are between the guys? I would like to know, but from the little I have read or heard, it sounds like Don Dokken may be difficult to work with. I never really got into Dokken, but George Lynch’s incredible playing and the rhythms of Pilson and Brown are the reasons I enjoyed some of their songs. I have never really cared for Don Dokken’s voice.
I hope George beats the crap out of him at some point during that week. Odd on how takes a jab at lynch mob playing bars when I just saw him and his version of dokken playing in one this last april in sacramento. Dons voice was horrible and I think the Japanese concert goers are going to want there money back after hearing his attempt at singing. Don should just stick to playing the skin flute these days.
I know I am supposed to remain neutral on the news, but some of these stories make it very difficult for me to censor myself.
In this particular case, I also thought that snarky comment about Lynch Mob, was unnecessary. They are a great band, and their first record, is practically flawless. Additionally, Lynch is one of my all time favorite guitar players.
While it is possible that Dokken was misquoted, or statement was taken out of context, as it stands, it comes across as petty and jealous. I expect that type of comment from a high school mean girl, not a middle aged man. Quite sad, actually.
D 🙂
Dana, I tell myself that Dokken is middle aged as well. LOL Makes me feel younger.
Dana,
If you are thinking Tooth and Nail is their first release,it is actually their 3rd. Out on the Streets was their 1st followed by Breakin’ The Chains and then Tooth and Nail. I am pretty certain.
Most people are also unaware Pantera’s Cowboys From Hell was their 5th release and only 2nd with Phil on vocals.
Hi Loadout,
I think that I am a bit confused by your comment. As I am not sure where I mentioned anything about Tooth and Nail, nor which order of release, it was for Dokken. If it was mentioned within the body of the article, then I did not write it. The poster at Ultimate Classic Rock was responsible, for that information/misinformation 🙂
However, since you broached the topic, I must admit that I did not know that Tooth and Nail was the band’s third release. I thought it was their second, as I assumed, incorrectly, that Breakin’ The Chains, was their debut album. So, thank you for sharing those details.
D 🙂
I’m okay with this. The most I’ll get out of it is a DVD, since even a North American tour wouldn’t bring them to my area anyway. By limiting themselves to a brief Japan tour, where their worldwide media exposure will be minimal, they’ll prevent a Ratt-style fiasco.