During the 1980's, the music scene produced a multitude of hard rock clones. It seemed as if every singer screamed the same, and every guitarist was trying to sound just like the next. Thankfully, the 80's also saw the rise of one of the most respected vocalists of the decade, Don Dokken. With his unique voice, and passionate style, he helped to make the band Dokken one of the biggest acts of the 80's hard rock scene.
Don Dokken has always had a love of music. In the late 1970's, he was playing in a band called Airborn, and had the opportunity to nail down a record deal in Germany. After seeing the band Xciter, and future bandmates George Lynch and Mick Brown, he knew that they would complete the band that would land the deal. Although Lynch and Brown weren't interested in joining forces with him when he first contacted them, he went ahead to Germany. Don must have had a premonition that the three of them would eventually end up working together, because, with the help of one of Xciter's songs, he did get the deal. He finally convinced Lynch and Brown, along with bassist Juan Crouchier, to join him in Dokken soon after he received the German deal.
In 1983, America saw the release of the first Dokken album, "Breaking the Chains," but it wasn't until their sophomore release, "Tooth and Nail," that people began to take notice. Don's strong vocals, coupled with Lynch's blazing guitar playing and the steady rhythm section of Brown and their new bassist, Jeff Pilson, guided Dokken to imminent fame as one of the biggest rock bands of the 80's.
Unfortunately, things were not always peaceful in the Dokken camp. The well publicized rumors about Don and George Lynch's dislike for each other took their toll on the band. In 1988, after the Monsters of Rock Tour and a multiplatinum album, Dokken decided to call it quits. Many fans saw that breakup as the end, but it turned out only to be part of the beginning.
Don Dokken continued on as a solo artist, playing with a band made up of guitarists John Norum and Billy White, bassist Peter Baltes and drummer Mickey Dee. He also spent time as a producer for the band XYZ. Around late 1993, Don started to talk with Mick Brown, who had recently left Lynch Mob. They joined up with Jeff Pilson, and started to write songs. In 1994, they sent what they had written to George Lynch, who was impressed with the material. Together, they decided to reform and record a new Dokken album.
Since 1994, Dokken has released three studio albums, two live CDs, a Greatest Hits album, as well as their first two DVDs. Dokken also lost George Lynch, gained Reb Beach, and is now kicking off a new era with guitarist John Norum after the recent departure of Reb. One thing has remained constant over the years - there is never a dull moment when Dokken is involved.
Many fans of the 80's metal scene applauded Dokken for rejoining and putting out a new album when the music scene was so saturated with "Modern Rock." Don has been adamant about bringing hard rock music back from the grave that so many had believed it to be buried. When Don Dokken sings, people listen. When he gets up on the stage, people support him. Don is a musician that has come a long way from those days with Airborn. He has demonstrated to all of us what can be acheived when you stay true to yourself and your dreams. His belief is that rock will rise again, and he can take pride in the fact that he and Dokken will have helped pave the way.
