Rock Hard Forever: Dokken

A great melodic metal band, Dokken was able to become one of the most successful bands of the 80's heavy metal scene. Huge harmonies/melodies mixed with catchy choruses and a blazing axe attack was the band's recipe for stardom. Internal fighting would tear the band apart at the peak of their success, and the bad blood remained when the group reformed several years later.

The band was formed in Los Angeles by vocalist Don Dokken who had previously sung backup vocals for the Scorpions. George Lynch (guitar) and Mick Brown (drums), both of whom had played with Don Dokken in the late 70's band The Boyz, were brought in along with bassist Juan Croucier (bass). Croucier would depart after the release of the mildly successful debut album to join fellow L.A. rockers Ratt. With Jeff Pilson taking over on bass, Dokken constantly charted in the top 50 and became platinum sellers throughout the mid to late 80's.

After releasing their highest charting album, Back For The Attack at #13, animosity would tear the band apart in 1988, with Dokken and Lynch literally at each other's throats. George Lynch would take Mick Brown with him and form the Lynch Mob while Don Dokken (who wanted to continue with the Dokken moniker, but was unable to because Lynch was suing for the rights to the name) formed a star-studded band to release a solo album under his own name.

The group reformed in 1995 for the appropriately titled Dysfunctional, assuming that the members could bury the hatchet between them. However by 1997 the mud slinging began again, reminding Lynch why he left Dokken in the first place and he once again left to reform Lynch Mob with new members and a new sound. Dokken would soldier on with guitarist Reb Beach (of Winger and Alice Cooper fame), and in 1999 release their best album since their 80's heyday. Beach and Pilson were replaced by John Norum and Barry Sparks respectively on Long Way Home, but the line-up has been in a state of flux ever since, with Alex DeRosso and Jon Levin taking turns at lead guitar duties.

In 2004, John Norum left to join a reunited Europe and was replaced by Jon Levin (who formerly played guitar on Doro's Force Majeure), and they released the album Hell to Pay. Currently, the band is touring lightly, and has scheduled some concert dates with fellow 1980s metal band Great White. In addition, they are also working on new songs of what will become their tenth studio album, tentatively named Lightning Strikes Again named after the song in the album "Under Lock and Key".

On July 14, 2007, Dokken performed at glam metal festival Rocklahoma, and in 2008 they released Lightning Strikes Again and are currently planning a summer tour in support of the album with Sebastian Bach and Poison.

Current members

Don Dokken – lead vocals, guitar (1977-1988, 1993–present)
Jon Levin – guitar (2004–present)
Barry Sparks – bass, backing vocals (2001–present)
Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals (1981-1988, 1993–present)

Former members

George Lynch – guitar (1981–1988, 1993-1997)
Reb Beach – guitar (1998–2001)
John Norum – guitar (1997, 2001–2004)
Jeff Pilson – bass (1983-1988, 1993-2001)
Juan Croucier – bass (1978–1982)
Greg Leon - guitar (1977-1979)
Peter Baltes - bass (1977-1978)
Gary Holland - drums (1979)
Greg Pecka - drums
Tom Croucier - guitar
Bobby Blotzer - drums
Mikkey D - bass (2001 Tour)
Alex De Rosso - guitar (2004 Europe Tour)
Kelly Keeling
Jeff Tappen - bass
Frankie Banali - drums (9-21-2002)
Adam Hamilton - bass (9-21-2002)
Greg Smith - bass (5-22 ~ 25-2005)
Sean McNabb - bass (6-30-2006)

Discography

Breaking the Chains (1983) #136
Tooth and Nail (1984) #49
Under Lock and Key (1985) #32
Back for the Attack (1987) #13
Beast from the East (November 16, 1988) #33
Dysfunctional (1995) #47
Shadowlife (1997) #146
Erase the Slate (1999)
The Best of Dokken (1994) (Japan Only)
One Live Night (1996)
The Very Best of Dokken (1999)
Live from the Sun (2000)
Long Way Home (2002)
Japan Live '95 (2003)
Hell to Pay (2004)
Change The World: An Introduction (2004)
The Definitive Rock Collection (2006)
From Conception: Live 1981 (2007)
Lightning Strikes Again (2008) #133

Official Website: http://www.dokken.net/

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