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Dokken performing in 2018.

Dokken is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1978, the group originally consisted of eponymous vocalist and guitarist Don Dokken, bassist Steven R. Barry and drummer Greg Pecka. By the time they recorded their debut album Breaking the Chains, the band's lineup featured lead guitarist George Lynch, bassist Juan Croucier and drummer/vocalist Mick Brown. The current lineup of Dokken includes the eponymous vocalist, guitarist Jon Levin (since 2003), bassist Chris McCarvill (since 2015) and drummer BJ Zampa (since 2019).

History

1978–1983

Don Dokken formed his eponymous band Dokken in 1978, after two years fronting a group called Airborn.[1] The outfit's first recording was the single "Hard Rock Woman", on which Robin Trower band members Rustee Allen (bass) and Bill Lordan (drums) performed, as Dokken was yet to hire an official band.[2] By the time the release was printed, bassist Steven R. Barry and drummer Greg Pecka had been brought in, so they were credited on the sleeve as band members.[3] For the band's first tour in Germany the same year, Barry was replaced by Juan Croucier.[4][5] A second German tour followed in late 1980, which featured a lineup of Dokken with lead guitarist Greg Leon, bassist Gary Link and drummer Gary Holland.[6] The tour spawned recordings for the EP Back in the Streets, released in 1989.[7]

Mick Brown joined Dokken with George Lynch in 1981 and remained the band's drummer until 2019.

In early 1981, Croucier returned to Dokken, joined by new guitarist George Lynch and drummer "Wild" Mick Brown of Xciter.[2] After signing with Carrere Records, the band recorded its debut album Breakin' the Chains in the summer, which was initially credited to Don Dokken as a solo release.[8] Bass on the album was performed by Accept's Peter Baltes, as Croucier reportedly "missed the deadline to get to Germany" for the sessions.[9] After its release, the band returned to the US and, according to Don Dokken, "For a year and a half, nothing happened" – Croucier joined Ratt, while Lynch and Brown returned to Xciter.[10] In the summer of 1983, Breaking the Chains was re-recorded with Croucier and released in September by Elektra/Asylum Records.[11] A few days before its release, Croucier left to commit full-time to Ratt.[11]

1983–2002

Croucier was replaced after the release of Breaking the Chains by Jeff Pilson.[12] This lineup remained constant throughout the rest of the 1980s, releasing the band's most successful albums in Tooth and Nail, Under Lock and Key, Back for the Attack and Beast from the East.[13] In early 1989, however, the group broke up due to ongoing tensions between Dokken and Lynch.[14] Dokken has claimed that Lynch's excessive drug use was the reason for the split,[15] while the guitarist has blamed disagreements over financial arrangements for the breakup, claiming that the frontman "decided that he wanted it all, he didn't wanna share it with us".[16]

In late 1994, Lynch was convinced to reunite with Dokken to complete a reformation of the band's previous lineup, adding lead guitar overdubs to a new album released the next year, Dysfunctional.[17] However, after one more album, Shadowlife, Lynch left again in late 1997.[18] He was replaced by former Europe guitarist John Norum, who joined partway through an American tour before the end of the year.[19] By the next summer, former Winger and Alice Cooper guitarist Reb Beach had taken over the position.[20] Beach recorded one studio album, Erase the Slate, before Norum returned in July 2001.[21] The group started recording a new album, but in October 2001 it was announced that Pilson had been replaced for the sessions by bassist Barry Sparks, although this was initially not a full-time replacement.[22] The following month, however, Don Dokken confirmed that Pilson had officially left to focus on his various other projects.[23]

2002–2016

In late 2003, Jon Levin took over as Dokken lead guitarist, a position he still currently holds.

After the release of Long Way Home, John Norum left again in June 2002.[24] Although his departure was initially credited to an injury, the guitarist later explained that it was due to tensions with Don Dokken, claiming that "he became this awful person that I didn't want to have anything to do with."[19] Following Norum's second departure, the band was temporarily joined by Italian guitarist Alex De Rosso.[25] The 2002 tour also saw drummer Mick Brown replaced for one show by Adam Hamilton of L.A. Guns due to a recurring shoulder injury.[26] By late 2003, Dokken had a new full-time lead guitarist in Jon Levin, formerly of Warlock, who debuted on Hell to Pay in 2004.[27]

Following the release and promotion of Lightning Strikes Again, Sparks temporarily left to tour with UFO in the summer of 2009, with former Great White bassist Sean McNabb taking his place.[28] Early the next year, Sparks had to step back from his duties with both bands in order to take care of a family member.[29] McNabb subsequently remained, debuting on the 2010 collection of re-recordings Greatest Hits.[30] He also performed on 2012's Broken Bones, before being replaced in November 2014 by former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Mark Boals due to his inability to commit full-time to Dokken.[31] Within a year, however, Boals had been replaced by Chris McCarvill.[32]

Since 2016

In June 2016, following months of rumours, it was announced that the "classic" Dokken lineup including guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mick Brown (still a regular member) were set to reunite for a short run of shows in Japan that October.[33] Despite receiving offers to add more shows in various countries around the world, Don Dokken assured fans that a reunion would "never happen again" after the Japanese tour.[34] Footage from one of the shows was later released as Return from the East Live (2016) in April 2018.[35]

In May 2019, Brown announced that he was "taking a break" from performing with Dokken.[36] Within a couple of months of the announcement, Don Dokken added that Brown was permanently retiring, with his temporary replacement Bill "BJ" Zampa of House of Lords taking his place in the group.[37] In 2020 the band released The Lost Songs: 1978–1981, on which Levin and Zampa performed some overdubs on old tracks.[38]

Members

Current

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Dokken - Wacken Open Air 2018 30.jpg
 Don Dokken
  • 1978–1989
  • 1994–present
  • lead and backing vocals
  • guitar (sole 1978–79; rhythm since 1979)
  • percussion
 all Dokken releases
George Lynch 2009.jpg
 George Lynch
  • 1981–1989
  • 1994–1997
  • 2016
  • 2020–present (touring)
 lead guitar
Dokken - Wacken Open Air 2018 20.jpg
 Jon Levin 2003–present lead guitar
Dokken - Wacken Open Air 2018 09.jpg
 Chris McCarvill 2015–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none to date
Bill "BJ" Zampa 2019–present (touring 2008–10)
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 The Lost Songs: 1978–1981 (2020)

Former

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Greg Pecka 1978–1980 drums The Lost Songs: 1978–1981 (2020)
Steven R. Barry 1978–1979
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 none
Juan Croucier
  • 1979–1980
  • 1981–1983
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Greg Leon 1980
  • lead guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Gary Holland
  • drums
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Gary Link
  • bass
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
Dokken - Wacken Open Air 2018 23.jpg
 "Wild" Mick Brown
  • 1981–1989
  • 1994–2019
  • drums
  • percussion
  • backing and lead vocals
 all Dokken releases from Breakin' the Chains (1981) onwards, except Back in the Streets (1989)
2016 Lieder am See - Foreigner - Jeff Pilson - by 2eight - 8SC2570.jpg
 Jeff Pilson
  • 1983–1989
  • 1994–2001
  • 2016
  • bass
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • backing and lead vocals
  • all Dokken releases from Tooth and Nail (1984) to Live from the Sun (2000), except Back in the Streets (1989)
  • Japan Live '95 (2003)
  • From Conception: Live 1981 (2007)
  • Return to the East Live (2016) (2018)
20170803 Wacken Wacken Open Ai Europer0090 (cropped).jpg
 John Norum
  • 1997–1998
  • 2001–2002
 lead guitar Long Way Home (2002)
Whitesnake_San_Antonio_2015_1.jpg
 Reb Beach 1998–2001
Barry Sparks 2001–2009
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Long Way Home (2002)
  • Hell to Pay (2004)
  • Lightning Strikes Again (2008)
  • Greatest Hits (2010)
Sean McNabb 2009–2014
  • Greatest Hits (2010) – two bonus tracks
  • Broken Bones (2012)
Mark Boals with Royal Hunt in 2008.jpg
 Mark Boals 2014–2015 Broken Bones (2012)

Touring

Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Mikkee D 2001 bass Mikkee stood in for Jeff Pilson, who was working on solo material, at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2001.[39]
Alex De Rosso 2002–2003 lead guitar De Rosso was brought in to complete scheduled tour dates after the departure of John Norum in June 2002.[25]
Adam Hamilton 2002 drums Hamilton substituted for Mick Brown for one show in the summer of 2002 due to a recurring shoulder injury.[26]
Greg_Smith_(with_Ted_Nugent).jpg
 Greg Smith 2003 bass Smith filled in for Barry Sparks, who was busy fulfilling other tour commitments, on several occasions.[40][41]
Frankie Banali 2004 drums
K.J. Hunter 2006 drums One off show in 2006 at the House of Blues.
Vik Foxx 2007 drums
JeffMartin.JPG
 Jeff Martin 2008
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 Martin and Marks each filled in for Mick Brown during Dokken's touring in the summer of 2008.[42][43]
Bobby Marks drums
Black_Star_Riders_%E2%80%93_Wacken_Open_Air_2014_17.jpg
 Jimmy DeGrasso 2012 DeGrasso temporarily took over from Mick Brown during the summer of 2012, as he was touring with Ted Nugent.[44]
Great White at the Moondance Jam.jpg
 Jack Russell 2017 lead vocals Russell made a guest appearance on "Alone Again" at Dokken's M3 Rock Festival performance in April 2017.[45]
Ira Black in studio.jpg
 Ira Black lead guitar Black temporarily substituted for regular guitarist Jon Levin during a tour in November and December 2017.[46]

Session

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Rustee Allen 1978 bass
  • "Hard Rock Woman" (1979)
  • The Lost Songs: 1978–1981 (2020)
Bill Lordan drums
Accept - Wacken Open Air 2017 27.jpg
 Peter Baltes 1981 bass Breakin' the Chains (1981)
Tom Croucier

Timeline

Lineups

Period Members Releases
1978
(temporary recording lineup)
  • "Hard Rock Woman" (1978)
1978–1979
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, guitar
  • Steven R. Barry – bass, backing vocals
  • Greg Pecka – drums
 none
1979–1980
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass, backing vocals
  • Greg Pecka – drums
  • The Lost Songs: 1978–1981 (2020)
    – two previously unreleased live recordings
Fall – late 1980
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Greg Leon – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Gary Link – bass, backing vocals
  • Gary Holland – drums, backing vocals
Early – summer 1981
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
 none
Summer 1981
(temporary recording lineup)
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Peter Baltes – bass (session)
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
Late 1981 – September 1983
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
  • Breaking the Chains (1983) (re-recorded)
October 1983 – March 1989
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
Band inactive March 1989 – late 1994
Late 1994 – late 1997
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
Late 1997 – August 1998
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • John Norum – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
 none
August 1998 – July 2001
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Reb Beach – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
July – October 2001
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • John Norum – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, keyboards, vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
 none
October 2001 – June 2002
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • John Norum – lead guitar
  • Barry Sparks – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
June 2002 – summer 2003
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Alex De Rosso – lead guitar (touring)
  • Barry Sparks – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
 none
Late 2003 – summer 2009
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jon Levin – lead guitar
  • Barry Sparks – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
Summer 2009 – November 2014
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jon Levin – lead guitar
  • Sean McNabb – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
  • Greatest Hits (2010) – two bonus tracks
  • Broken Bones (2012)
November 2014 – October 2015
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jon Levin – lead guitar
  • Mark Boals – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
 none
October 2015 – May 2019
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jon Levin – lead guitar
  • Chris McCarvill – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
October 2016
(special reunion tour)
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • George Lynch – lead guitar
  • Jeff Pilson – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Brown – drums, backing vocals
  • Return to the East Live (2016) (2018)
May 2019 – present
  • Don Dokken – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Jon Levin – lead guitar
  • Chris McCarvill – bass, backing vocals
  • BJ Zampa – drums
  • The Lost Songs: 1978–1981 (2020)
    – overdubs by Levin and Zampa

References

  1. ^ "Happy Birthday: Don Dokken". Rhino Entertainment. June 29, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Price, Jason (July 24, 2020). "Dokken Unleashes New Video For "No Answer" Single; New Album 'The Lost Songs: 1978–1981' Due In August!". Icon Vs. Icon. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Skid (May 9, 2009). "Dokken's Rare Debut Single Available On Ebay". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  4. ^ Miller, Joe (August 28, 2020). "Don Dokken Interview". Defenders of the Faith. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Kontogeorgakos, Dimitris (October 23, 2020). "Interviews: Dokken – Don Dokken". Metal Kaoz. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Olivier (March 25, 2007). "Greg Leon Interview". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  7. ^ James, Gary. "Gary James' Interview With Former Steppenwolf and Rita Coolidge Bassist Gary Link". ClassicBands.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  8. ^ "Early 1980s – Dokken, Motley Crue, Stryper & Ratt" (PDF). Guitar Boutique. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. ^ "George Lynch And Don Dokken Trade Barbs On Dokken's Breaking The Chains Debut; Audio Interviews Streaming". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. January 5, 2015. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  10. ^ Elliott, Paul (October 2, 2015). "Dokken: The Hair Metal Band That Hated Itself". Classic Rock. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Williams, Joy. "Interview with Don Dokken". JoyZine. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  12. ^ Syrjala, Marko (February 7, 2008). "Jeff Pilson – Foreigner, War & Peace, ex-Dokken, Dio". Metal-Rules. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Weber, Barry. "Dokken: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Giles, Jeff (December 4, 2014). "George Lynch Blames Dokken's Breakup On Don Dokken's Greed". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  15. ^ "Don Dokken Discusses Dokken's 1989 Split – To See Your Guitar Player On Stage In Front Of 100,000 People Walk Behind His Amplifier In The Middle Of The Solo And Snort Coke... It Drove Me Crazy"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. July 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  16. ^ Lach, Stef (December 4, 2014). "Dokken's gravy train derailed by 'greed'". Classic Rock. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Brown, Pete; Newquist, Harvey P. (1997). Legends of Rock Guitar: The Essential Reference of Rock's Greatest Guitarists. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard (published March 16, 1997). p. 206. ISBN 978-0793540426. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  18. ^ "Dokken Prepares To Return To Record Racks". MTV. May 7, 1999. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "John Norum Talks About Playing With Dokken, Upcoming Europe Album". Blabbermouth.net. September 17, 2006. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  20. ^ "Dokken, Queensrÿche Announce New Guitarists". MTV. August 28, 1998. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  21. ^ "Archive News Jul 10, 2001 – update 2". Blabbermouth.net. July 10, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  22. ^ "Archive News Oct 15, 2001 – update 2". Blabbermouth.net. October 15, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  23. ^ "Archive News Nov 12, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. November 12, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  24. ^ "John Norum Leaves Dokken Halfway Through European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. June 7, 2002. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Dokken Recruit Italian Guitarist As Temporary Replacement For John Norum". Blabbermouth.net. June 7, 2002. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Don Dokken Denies Altercation With Drummer, Blames Promoter For L.A. Cancellation". Blabbermouth.net. September 17, 2002. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  27. ^ Rao, Deb (October 7, 2012). "Jon Levin of Dokken". HardRockHaven.net. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Don Dokken – "When I Look Out In The Audience And See An Eight Year Old Singing A Song I Wrote 20 Years Ago, That Is What It Is All About"". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. July 20, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  29. ^ "UFO Bassist Forced To Leave Tour". Blabbermouth.net. May 6, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  30. ^ JP (July 1, 2010). "Dokken – Greatest Hits". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  31. ^ "Dokken Parts Ways With Bassist Sean McNabb, Replaces Him With Mark Boals". Blabbermouth.net. November 9, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  32. ^ Nathan, Andy (November 8, 2015). "Gig review: Rockingham Festival – Rock City, Nottingham, 23–25 October 2015". Get Ready to Rock!. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  33. ^ "It's Official: Classic Dokken Lineup To Reunite For Six Shows In Japan". Blabbermouth.net. June 26, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  34. ^ "Classic Dokken Reunion Is 'Never Gonna Happen Again,' Claims Don Dokken". Blabbermouth.net. October 10, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  35. ^ "Dokken's Classic Lineup To Release 'Return To The East Live (2016)' In April; Cover Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth.net. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  36. ^ "Dokken Drummer Mick Brown Is 'Taking A Break' From Playing Live Shows". Blabbermouth.net. May 7, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  37. ^ "Mick Brown Is 'Done' Playing Drums For Dokken, Says Don Dokken". Blabbermouth.net. July 5, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  38. ^ "Dokken: 'The Lost Songs: 1978–1981'". Sleaze Roxx. October 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  39. ^ "Archive News May 09, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. May 9, 2001. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  40. ^ "Don Dokken: New Material Sounds Like 'Tooth And Nail'". Blabbermouth.net. August 11, 2003. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  41. ^ Rao, Deb. "Dokken Live!". HardRockHaven.net. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  42. ^ "Drummer Jeff Martin Says He Was Fired By Dokken Following West Palm Beach Concert". Blabbermouth.net. July 25, 2008. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  43. ^ "February 10th, 2010". Karl Cochran. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  44. ^ "Pearcy, Croucier and DeMartini reportedly working in band with drummer Jimmy DeGrasso". Sleaze Roxx. September 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  45. ^ "Jack Russell Joins Dokken On Stage At M3 Rock Festival For 'Alone Again' Performance (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. May 1, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  46. ^ "Dokken Recruits Guitarist Ira Black For November/December Tour Dates". Blabbermouth.net. October 23, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
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