Dokken’s classic lineup of Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and Mick Brown are to play together live again later this year.
Brown confirmed the news that they would take to the stage for six shows in Japan “at the end of this year” and says further live dates could be possible, but they don’t want to plan too far ahead.
Brown tells One On One With Mitch Lafon, “There’s talk of us doing something in Japan at the end of this year and if that happens and we make it through, then there could be talk about something. Let’s just get through six shows and if we can do that, then maybe we can go ahead. It’s just up in the air.”
Frontman Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch have a volatile relationship, with both sides trading barbed comments in the past. And when asked how he sees the pair getting on when they’re reunited, Brown says, “It was something that was there since day one and it’s never going to go away – and that’s what’s making me feel hesitant about getting together again.
I haven’t see a change in either one of them, so I don’t know what to expect. But I’m willing to find out. In spite of ourselves, we always seem to do well. It’s never very easy and I’m sure it’s not going to be this time either.”
Brown admits the reunion was brought about for purely financial reasons, and realizes it’s not an ideal situation.
He adds, “It’s the money we’re doing it for and I think that’s the wrong reason. The reason should be we want to play together – and I don’t think anyone wants to play together – but the money we’re being offered to do it, you just can’t say no.”
Last year, Dokken appeared to pour cold water on any hopes of a reunion, despite Lynch revealing he’d been in talks with Pilson about getting the lineup back together.
additional source: teamrock.com/news
11 Responses
I’ve always found the self-importance of Don Dokken and George Lynch hilarious. These guys are yet another B-list ’80s bands who can’t seem to put aside their differences to shut up, ride the money train, and make their fans happy. It’s not like they have anything else going on that’s even remotely successful either.
This doesn’t really sound very encouraging. “Dokken”‘s last few studio albums with Jon Levin on guitar have been pretty solid, but Don doesn’t have much strength left in his voice. I went to see them back in 2010 or 2011, to be honest the show was underwhelming except for Levin. The “long ass show” Don proclaimed they’d be doing at the beginning lasted for about an hour, was a predictable “hits” set list, and he sounded fairly rough. Mick calling out “everybody scream!!!” during almost every song got old quickly too. I just think it’s too late for these guys, if they could have gotten together 10 years ago – maybe. I’m saying that as a one time die-hard Dokken fan too, and I still listen to Dokken albums throughout the catalog from time to time.
Honestly, I’d rather Jeff Pilson and George Lynch (and Mick, if he’s up to it) get another T&N album out. The new songs on the last one were very good, Jeff’s voice is stronger than Don’s now, and the remakes of the old Dokken songs weren’t just carbon copies of the originals like Don’s “Greatest Hits Re-Recorded” was.
I understand them agreeing to these 6 shows for the money, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for anything more than that.
Dokken had some of the best harmonies, thanks to bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mick Brown. I know I sound like a broken record, but it is clearly evident on their DVD, One Live Night, which I cannot recommend highly enough, btw.
Here are few examples from that live acoustic performance:
Harmonizing on The Beatles’, Nowhere Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ5g46aZiVg&index=11&list=PLXXKfwGl99YROdvNCo2fF8av-MsekiSKs
Jeff Pilson singing lead on, It’s Not Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsCXZ1q1YZU&list=PLXXKfwGl99YROdvNCo2fF8av-MsekiSKs&index=12
Mick Brown singing lead on, Tooth And Nail: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2wN7avg-5E&list=PLXXKfwGl99YROdvNCo2fF8av-MsekiSKs&index=6
D 🙂
I agree with that. Dokken’s weak link was always Don, though. He has a fine voice for backup vocals, but I think Pilson does a competent job as lead singer. I don’t see why they even need Don, nor do I think think the “original” band together would be that great of a draw anymore. These bands wait too long.
Agreed Dana,”One Live Night” is a surprisingly good “unplugged” album. I say surprisingly because of how good Jeff and Mick sound when they took turns singing lead on some of the songs. I mean, not only was an acoustic version of “Tooth and Nail” unexpected when I first heard it, but MICK sang it and did a pretty solid job!?!? More talent in that band than they probably got credit for back then.
Also, I feel like Jeff and George are just meant to write together. The “Wicked Underground” album they did back around 2003 (I think?) was very good with Jeff doing all the vocals, as are the new songs on T&N. I like much of Lynch Mob, I liked KXM, but I admit I haven’t heard much of Lynch/Sweet. Still, Lynch and Pilson to me just sound “right” together.
Jeff has a great voice and Wild Mick can belt it out as well. The only time I saw Dokken live was in 2002 and Mick carried Don on a lot of the songs. Smoking killed Don’s voice, he was puffin’ on a stick at that show. The version of ELP’s From The Beginning from One Live Night is a great cover as is their studio version.
I think that version of From The Beginning may be the studio one, from The Maze.
There is only one Dokken, and it’s these four, I don’t care why they got back together; they made some great records, they didn’t get along and there’s plenty of blame to go around between Don and George, that’s called chemistry.
I saw Dokken this last April and my observations were. Almost everyone thought it was going to be the original lineup playing(i knew it wasn`t) and it was packed. Although it was a small venue there was a full house which leads me to believe there is still interest of sorts in the band. My next observation is Dons voice is thrashed. Its kind of sad because he still trys to hit those higher notes but it reminds me of when a baby crys to hard and nothing comes out. He would definately need to lean on Jeff and mick for vocals. Hopefully they get together for nostalgia sakes, I would go.