Definitely, John Sykes (to quote Valley Of The Kings, “a thousand times over.”) and Tora Tora.
I know many people who thought Kix should have had greater success. Also, Tyketto was a pretty good band, who flew under the radar. Danger Danger, because of Andy Timmons. There are so many, but if something strikes me, I will update my list.
45 Responses
Been a lot of great bands already mentioned. I have to add Babylon AD, their debut album was killer. I’ll also mention Tora Tora again, whose second album (Wild America) was actually better than their first. Love Black’N Blue. There’s a few Canadian bands that can be added to this list, particularly Coney Hatch and the Headpins. Icon made a fantastic debut album, but then got ruined by what was I’m sure was some pinhead from the record label that wanted to add keyboards to their sound. Rough Cutt certainly deserved more recognition, Paul Shortino is one of the greatest vocalists from that era. I could go on, but will have to throw Manowar in there as well. Saw them at the House of Blues in Houston back in 2014 and I’ve never been in a room where the bass was literally moving my clothing. One of the greatest metal bands ever.
Rich,
I agree, I think Wild America, is the better album. Howeever, I really love Walking Shoes and even though the band never liked it, I LOVE Guilty.
Every song on Wild America is great. I completely agree with you about Guilty and Walkin’Shoes. Both those songs have to be absolutely cranked up every time I hear them. I’d never heard that the band had anything bad to say about Guilty. That makes no sense, it’s a GREAT song.
Hi Rich,
I looked it up, and this what Google AI came back with:
“Singer Anthony Corder shared in an interview with The Nashville Bridge that for their first record (Surprise Attack), the band was strongly against writing songs with outside people. However, they ended up co-writing Guilty with co-writer Tom DeLuca, and Corder described the process as “like pulling teeth” because “none of us wanted” to do outside co-writing at the time. Despite the struggle to write it, the track became their second single and remains a live staple for them today.”
Additionally, the band never liked the video.
Finally, I completely agree with everything you wrote regarding Wild America.
Forgot to mention, Lynch Mob, they should have been huge.
Wicked Sensation, in my humble opinion, is perfection. It is hands down, one of my all time favorite albums.
The second, self titled record, with Robert Mason, also has some great songs. While I know Tangled In The Web, had some MTV play, it should have easily been a Top 20 song with tons of radio exposure.
This is correct. Wicked Sensation is truly a great great record. Probably better from start to finish than any Dokken record. The second self titled record is also fantastic, I’m a huge fan of Robert Mason, one of the best vocalists out there. I still listen to Big Cock from time to time, and the second album from Cry of Love (Diamonds and Debris) that he was on is also a very good. Guess I could have put Cry of Love on this list. Their debut album, Brother, is terrific, and Audley Freed is such a good guitarist who doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
Rich,
As far as vocalists go, I dig both Logan and Mason. Also. I like Big Cock, I have their Motherload album, love the opening track, Get A Load Of Me. LOL!!!
Totally agree Dana, the first two albums were phenomenal!!!
I’m a bit more partial to the self-titled album but that’s just personal taste. Both albums are all-killer/no-filler!!
I got to see them in an extremely small venue outside of Cleveland with about 200 of my closest friends. I literally stood 5 feet from George Lynch
the entire night!! I saw him in the 80’s w/Dokken when they opened for Priest on the Turbo tour. The April show was by far the better experience! He has his own style and sound that is un-matched!! He is truly an underrated guitar player IMO. The set list was a great mix of Dokken and Wicked Sensation tunes, BUT then they played “Cold is the Heart” from the self-titled album which blew me away!! At one point Gabriel leaned in and had me help sing the chorus, being one of the few in the audience that knew the song LOL!!!!!
Hi Scott,
I too, was blessed to seem them three times, in a small venues. Twice on their Wicked Sensation tour and once on their self titled Mason tour.
At that Mason show, I was also practically on top of the stage. I literally watched Lynch‘s fingers all night. He is easily in my top three guitar players, along with Rhoads (1) and Sykes (2). I have always been a frustrated closet drummer, but Lynch makes me want to play guitar.
Dana, if you want a question of the week that absolutely nobody would agree on, ask everyone who their top 5 guitarists are. I’m not even sure I could name a top 5 because there are so many damn good guitar players out there. I think drummers I could do, guitarists is really tough.
Rich,
I did the guitarist already, but we can do it again, and add each band position for four straight weeks. Duly noted and thanks. 🙂
Law and Order were on Headbangers ball once and they were practically begging the viewers to vote for them on Dial MTV (I have the video recorded somewhere)!! They really were a great band.
Interestimg,
If you tell me the name of the song, maybe I can find it on Youtube?
Tall Stories – Steve Augeri formerly of Journey. Their debut was great
Damn, there’s a band that I had kind of forgotten. Saw them open up for Mr. Big in 1994. Augeri is definitely a capable vocalist, good show. I’ve got a couple of guitar picks from them laying around here somewhere.
They are probably more but here are bands i that should have been more popular. Hanoi Rocks, Edguy, Dangerous Toys, Bang Tango, Ovekill, Vain, Lizzy Bordan, Bling Guardian, Nevermore, Original Cold Steel (NY band ), Kill by Inches, Tang, Fates Warning, Shadow Falls, Symphony X, Racer X
Fates is a good one as is Nevermore. Great bands.