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Dokken

From Alfawiki
Dokken
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1978 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, singles

Dokken is a metal band originating from Los Angeles in 1978, known for its American heavy metal roots. The group disbanded in 1989 but reunited after four years. Throughout their career, Dokken has placed multiple singles on the Billboard Hot 100, such as "Alone Again", "In My Dreams", and "Burning Like a Flame". Their album sales have surpassed 10 million copies globally. The live record Beast from the East earned a nomination for the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 1989.

The classic lineup of Dokken consisted of founding vocalist Don Dokken, lead guitarist George Lynch, drummer Mick Brown, and bassist Jeff Pilson, who replaced Juan Croucier in 1983. This core group remained intact from 1983 until 1989 and reunited again between 1993 and 1998, with a brief reunion in 2016. After several changes in the guitar position, attorney Jon Levin became the guitarist in 2004. Bassists who followed included Barry Sparks (2001), Sean McNabb (2009), and Chris McCarvill (2015). Following Mick Brown’s retirement in July 2019, Don Dokken stands as the only original member remaining, with BJ Zampa from House of Lords stepping in as drummer.

Early years (1976–1983)

Don Dokken’s initial band, Airborn, was established in 1976 and performed at venues on Los Angeles’ Sunset Strip, including the Starwood. This early lineup featured Bobby Blotzer on drums and Juan Croucier on bass; both departed in 1978 to form FireFoxx. Since the name Airborn was already tied to another band’s record deal, Dokken brought in Greg Pecka (drums) and Steven R. Barry (bass), releasing the single "Hard Rock Woman" backed with "Broken Heart" in 1979 under the name Dokken, produced by Drake Levin.

In 1979, a lineup with Don Dokken, guitarist Greg Leon, drummer Gary Holland, and bassist Gary Link toured Germany and connected with producer Michael Wagener, who would later relocate permanently to Los Angeles. This formation was short-lived as Leon joined Quiet Riot and Holland moved to Dante Fox (which became Great White). A Hamburg recording from that year produced by Wagener was issued without authorization in 1989 as Back in the Streets. Dokken returned to Germany for another tour in 1980 with Croucier resuming bass duties.

By early 1981, Don returned to Germany accompanied by George Lynch on guitar and Mick Brown on drums—both formerly of Xciter—with Croucier still on bass. They recorded demos with Wagener’s production and received support from Accept’s manager Gaby Hauke, leading to a contract with Carrere Records. Their album Breaking the Chains was recorded mid-1981 at Studio Stommeln with Wagener and Dieter Dierks producing; initially released under "Don Dokken," it was later reissued under the band name Dokken. During this era, Don provided backing vocals on Scorpions’ Blackout album while Klaus Meine recovered from vocal surgery. Lynch, Brown, and Croucier also contributed as session musicians for German artist Udo Lindenberg’s 1982 album Keule, co-writing several songs.

Promotion for Breaking the Chains included an appearance on German television’s Beat-Club Musikladen Extra in January 1982. Upon returning to the United States, manager Cliff Bernstein negotiated a deal with Elektra Records for an American release of the album, which was remixed specifically for that market. During George Lynch’s brief absence—while he rehearsed with Ozzy Osbourne’s band—Warren DeMartini temporarily played guitar. In 1983, Dokken toured U.S. arenas opening for Blue Öyster Cult but struggled financially and faced potential dismissal by Elektra due to modest sales performance.

Although enjoying popularity across Europe at that time, Dokken had yet to achieve significant commercial success within the U.S., despite receiving some exposure through UK publications such as Kerrang!.

Commercial achievements (1983–1988)

In 1983, prior to the debut of the "Breaking the Chains" video, Juan Croucier departed Dokken to join Ratt alongside DeMartini. Jeff Pilson stepped in as his replacement and appeared in the video despite not performing on the recording. The album Tooth and Nail was launched on September 13, 1984, delivering popular tracks such as "Just Got Lucky", "Alone Again", and "Into the Fire". It achieved sales exceeding one million units in the United States, reaching a peak position of No. 49 on the charts, with global sales estimated to surpass another million copies. Following this, Under Lock and Key was released on November 22, 1985, also surpassing one million in sales and generating singles like "In My Dreams" (No. 24), "The Hunter" (No. 25), and "It's Not Love". During this era, Dokken supported prominent bands including Judas Priest, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Dio, and Kiss.

After completing a tour with Scorpions, Dokken contributed "Dream Warriors" to the soundtrack of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors in December 1986, which expanded their presence within the UK hard rock scene. The single was officially released on February 10, 1987, preceding a six-month hiatus before entering the studio for Back for the Attack. Released on November 27, 1987, this album included singles such as "Burning Like a Flame" (No. 20), "Heaven Sent," and "Prisoner" (No. 37), marking their highest charting effort at No. 13 in the US. The record also featured a remixed version of "Dream Warriors" (No. 22) accompanied by a music video that connected band members to characters from the film. Back for the Attack earned Dokken their third platinum certification.

Subsequent to this release, Dokken participated in the Monsters of Rock Tour 1988, sharing the stage with Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica, and Kingdom Come. Performances from their April 1988 tour in Japan were captured on the live album Beast from the East, which came out on November 16, 1988. The album climbed to No. 33 and achieved Gold status in the US. It included one studio track, "Walk Away," which was promoted through an accompanying music video.

Band dissolution (1989–1993)

In March 1989, Dokken disbanded as a result of creative disagreements and personal tensions between Don Dokken and George Lynch, coupled with Don's plan to overhaul the lineup prior to securing a new recording contract. Following this split, Lynch and Brown established Lynch Mob, releasing two albums: Wicked Sensation in 1990 and Lynch Mob in 1992.

Don Dokken pursued a solo career with his album Up from the Ashes in 1990, which was well-received and featured two singles consistent with Dokken’s established sound.

Bassist Jeff Pilson shifted roles to lead vocals and guitar for Flesh & Blood in 1989, producing a five-song demo. Later recordings under War & Peace emerged as Time Capsule in 1993 after that project ended. Pilson also joined the McAuley Schenker Group for their 1991 release M.S.G., then collaborated with Dio on Strange Highways, reuniting with former colleague Vinny Appice.

George Lynch’s solo effort Sacred Groove (1993) featured Don Dokken on the track "We Don't Own This World," although Don was replaced by Matthew and Gunnar Nelson due to scheduling conflicts. Jeff Pilson contributed bass playing and co-wrote lyrics for this album.

Reformation period (1993–1997)

Following the release of Up from the Ashes, Don Dokken produced another solo effort titled Dysfunctional in 1993, which he recorded in his own studio. At the suggestion of John Kalodner, George Lynch was brought back to rebrand the project as a Dokken album for marketing purposes. Despite previous conflicts, Lynch rejoined the band for the 1994 album alongside Mick Brown and Jeff Pilson; Lynch revised guitar solos that Don had initially composed. The album was released under Columbia Records and managed to sell 300,000 units despite the waning popularity of the genre.

During the subsequent tour, old tensions reemerged; Lynch abruptly exited a Columbia promotional event that involved live radio broadcasts, prompting the label to air rehearsal recordings instead. Just four days later, Columbia severed ties with Dokken, likely influenced by Lynch’s behavior. Later releases included the acoustic live album One Live Night in 1996 on CMC International, followed by Shadowlife in 1997. Don Dokken later expressed dissatisfaction with Shadowlife, noting that Lynch took full creative control and even replaced the original band logo, which was perceived as an attempt to conclude the band’s run with this record.

Lineup transitions (1997–2008)

Toward the end of 1997, Dokken dismissed Lynch and enlisted Europe guitarist John Norum, who was well-versed in their material, to complete the ongoing tour. Lynch made a last-minute attempt to return just days before touring resumed but was denied, leading to a $1 million lawsuit that he ultimately lost. After finishing the European dates, Norum departed due to commitments to his solo career. Subsequently, former Winger guitarist Reb Beach joined the group, contributing to the 1999 release of Erase the Slate. Following Beach’s exit in 2000, Norum rejoined as he was available for touring duties. At this point, bassist Jeff Pilson left the band and was replaced by Barry Sparks. Don Dokken remarked that Pilson’s departure was motivated by his desire to explore new opportunities. By then, only Don Dokken and Mick Brown remained from the original lineup.

This ensemble released Long Way Home, but when Norum suffered a hand injury during a 2002 European tour, former Dark Lord guitarist Alex De Rosso filled in temporarily. That same year, Dokken performed at the Metal Edge Rock Fest alongside bands such as Ratt and FireHouse. In spring 2003, they embarked on a U.S. tour opening for Scorpions and Whitesnake. After De Rosso lost his visa and returned to Italy, Don Dokken recruited Jon Levin—known for his work with Doro on Force Majeure and who had previously shared a stage with Dokken in 1998.

The lineup consisting of Dokken, Brown, Levin, and Sparks remained consistent through 2008. They released Hell to Pay in 2004, which received acclaim for updating their signature sound with a contemporary edge. The band maintained an active touring schedule throughout 2005 and 2006. In 2007, they issued a live CD titled From Conception: Live 1981, featuring early unreleased performances uncovered by Don Dokken himself, along with a compilation DVD called Unchain the Night. Originally issued on VHS in 1986, this DVD included music videos and interviews. Additionally, Dokken appeared at Rocklahoma festivals in both 2007 and 2008.

Short-lived reunion (2008–2010)

On May 13, 2008, Dokken unveiled Lightning Strikes Again, their first studio effort in four years. The album earned positive reviews and became their highest-charting release in over a decade, entering the US charts at No. 133. This record signaled a comeback to the band's classic sound, adhering closely to the traditional Dokken style. Don Dokken credited Jon Levin with steering the band back toward this familiar approach, acknowledging the difficulty in realigning with fan expectations. To support the album, Don Dokken and Jon Levin participated in numerous interviews and podcasts during spring and summer of 2008.

During the summer of 2008, Dokken toured alongside Sebastian Bach and Poison, although Sparks and Brown were absent. Brown was engaged in touring with Ted Nugent, while Sparks was performing across Asia. Bass responsibilities were covered by Chris McCarvill from House of Lords, and drummer Jeff Martin initially played before being replaced mid-tour by B.J. Zampa. Subsequently, Mick Brown returned as drummer, with Zampa substituting when Brown joined Nugent’s tour. Sean McNabb, formerly associated with Quiet Riot and Great White, continued on bass alongside Levin and Don Dokken.

In 2010, Dokken served as an opening act for select US dates on the Scorpions tour. On March 1, 2010, they released Greatest Hits digitally, featuring re-recordings of their 1980s classics plus two new tracks. The physical edition was launched in Japan through King Records on April 21, 2010, with availability in the US via Cleopatra Records.

On November 29, 2009, George Lynch and Jeff Pilson joined Mick Brown and Don Dokken on stage for two songs—their first joint performance in twelve years. Early in 2010, Lynch announced plans for a "classic" lineup reunion, though this was later withdrawn. In May of that year, Lynch and Don appeared on That Metal Show, attributing their past fallout partly to a publicity stunt that escalated beyond control and disputes over credit and finances. Both expressed willingness to reunite but cited conflicting schedules due to ongoing commitments with Lynch Mob and Foreigner. Through late 2010, Dokken and Lynch Mob toured separately.

By December 8, 2010, Lynch confirmed that a Dokken reunion would not occur imminently, citing Don Dokken's decision despite Lynch and Pilson’s efforts to revive the band’s original lineup.

Broken Bones era (2011–2015)

Dokken aimed to release a new studio album in fall 2012, planning to complete recording by February for a launch prior to their June tour. The band signed with Frontiers Records on November 22, 2011, which subsequently handled the worldwide release. Don Dokken revealed the album's title as Broken Bones, targeting a November 2012 release date. Due to scheduling conflicts, session drummer Jimmy DeGrasso replaced Mick Brown, marking Brown’s first absence on a Dokken studio record. The album officially dropped on September 25, 2012. In November 2014, Sean McNabb was succeeded by former Ted Nugent bassist Mark Boals.

In June 2015, it was announced that Dokken would headline Sunday, October 25 at the Rockingham festival held at Nottingham’s Rock City.

Classic lineup reunion and Heaven Comes Down era (2016–present)

In October 2016, Don Dokken reunited with George Lynch, Mick Brown, and Jeff Pilson for a series of concerts in Japan, followed by a single US performance in September. Despite this reunion, Don Dokken clarified that no additional shows with Pilson and Lynch were scheduled, describing the event as a "one-time occurrence." Nevertheless, the original lineup came together to record "It's Just Another Day," marking their first new track in more than two decades. This song was included on the live album Return to the East Live (2016), which was released on April 20, 2018.

In July 2017, guitarist Jon Levin announced intentions to produce a new studio album embodying a "classic Dokken sound," targeting a 2018 release. During the latter portion of the 2017 tour, guitarist Ira Black substituted for Levin. Longtime drummer Mick Brown retired in July 2019 after four decades with the band, citing the rigors of touring; BJ Zampa took over drumming duties alongside bassist Chris McCarvill.

On August 28, 2020, Dokken unveiled The Lost Songs: 1978-1981 through Silver Lining Music.

The box set The Elektra Albums 1983-1987, encompassing the band's first four studio records from their most prolific creative period, was released on January 27, 2023. Later that year, on October 27, their twelfth studio album Heaven Comes Down was issued. The lead single "Fugitive" premiered with an accompanying music video on August 8, 2023.

In April 2025, Don Dokken hinted at retirement plans and mentioned the possibility of performing a final Dokken concert within the year. He also suggested there might be one last EP featuring guitarist George Lynch.

Guest contributions and cultural appearances

Current and former members of Dokken have participated in numerous tribute albums.

  • George Lynch contributed guitar work on "Anthem" for a Rush tribute compilation.
  • Both George Lynch and Jeff Pilson appeared on tribute albums dedicated to Iron Maiden.
  • Jeff Pilson portrayed the bassist for the fictional band Steel Dragon in the movie Rock Star, loosely inspired by Judas Priest's story.
  • The band took part in Dio's Hear 'n Aid charity project during the 1980s and were prominently featured in its music video.
  • In the mid-1980s, Don Dokken provided lead vocals on Herman Rarebell's solo project Herman Ze German and Friends, performing tracks such as the power ballad "I'll Say Goodbye," along with "Hard Sensation" and "Destiny."
  • Dokken's track "Breaking the Chains" appeared on the V-Rock radio station within the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.
  • In 2009, Dokken starred in advertisements for Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2010, portraying a malicious computer virus across several commercials.
  • The song "Dream Warriors" by Dokken featured in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and was later covered in the television series Riverdale episode titled "The Midnight Club."
  • Hip-hop artist Aesop Rock released an album called Skelethon in 2012 which included a Deluxe Edition track named "Dokken Rules."
  • On Munetaka Higuchi's 1997 solo album Dream Castle, Jeff Pilson played bass on songs featuring Ronnie James Dio, while Don Dokken provided lead vocals for "Tell Me True," a cover originally by Talas.
  • The song "Into the Fire" served as the theme music for wrestling program NWA Power during its first two seasons and lent its name to NWA’s inaugural exclusive pay-per-view event held in December 2019.
  • In the film The Dirt (2019), Dokken is depicted as an opening act for Motley Crue in a brief cutaway scene.
  • Jeff Pilson provided voice work for the character Johnny Cage in the 2011 release of the video game Mortal Kombat.

Band lineup

Present members

Guest performers on tour

Studio albums

External links

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