Dokken helped shape American heavy metal in the 1980s with hits like "Into the Fire," "Alone Again," and "Dream Warriors." But a recent interview with frontman Don Dokken revealed that the band's 2016 reunion was nothing short of a nightmare.
Dokken, 72, reformed the classic lineup of his self-titled band in 2016, marking the first time he shared the stage with guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer Mick Brown since 1997. "We did an experiment, and we said, 'We'll write one song together,'" he explained on the Dec. 25 episode of The SDR Show. "And that was 'It's Another Day.' We recorded it [and] made a cool video."
Naturally, the topic of discussion turned to playing together live. "I said, 'I'm not doing America.' We'll go to Japan, and we'll see if we don't kill each other," said Dokken. The band announced the "Unleased In The East" tour, which consisted of six shows in October 2016 (plus a warm-up gig in Sioux Falls, South Dakota).
If this was a test to see if the band—notorious for its infighting—could get along, they failed.Or, Don did. "We did the Japanese tour. It was a disaster, mostly because of me. I just wasn't on my game," he said. "We just came back, and I said, 'I don't think this is gonna work. So that was the end of that."
Don first formed his eponymous band in '78. The classic lineup came together in '83 when Jeff Pilson replaced Juan Croucier (who left to join Ratt). The lineup stayed together until '89, until Don exited to start a solo career. The band reformed once in the late '90s and again in 2016.
Related: Legendary '80s Metal Band Founder Reveals the Real Reason for Split
"Years and years ago, I made a comment offhandedly, like, 'You wanna do a reunion tour? I'll do it for this amount of money," Don said on The Classic Metal Show at the time, per Blabbermouth. "It was like a one and a lot of zeros. And that was my price, and everybody said, 'You're crazy.' And I said, 'Well, that's my price, and I'm not gonna do it [for anything less].' And now, fifteen years later, somebody came up with that price."
"So I approached George and Jeff, and I said, 'You guys wanna make a s--tload of money for about one week of work?' And I told them the price, and I told them how much I wanted and how much they'd make, and, basically, they could make more money in one week than they'd probably make in several years," he added. "And so everybody said, 'Okay.'"
Ultimate Classic Rocknoted that what made the original Dokken lineup work was the chemistry between Don and guitarist George Lynch, but the two had a history of bickering. Whether or not that chemistry (or lack thereof) played a part in Don's refusal to continue the 2016 reunion beyond the initial dates remains unknown.
Will There Be a Future Dokken Reunion?
Don revealed on The SDR Show that he and George Lynch have buried the hatchet. George has also appeared alongside Don at recent Dokken shows. "We're old," he said. "We're too old to bicker and fight."
There is a chance that the two could work together on new music. "I said, 'I might be up for an EP only.' But I said flat out, 'It has to sound like Dokken,'" he said, referring to Lynch's groups like the hard rock KXM, heavy metal The End Machine, and his glam metal project, Lynch Mod.
"'I'm not trying to insult you, George, but I've listened to all your records. It has to be Dokken,'" explained Don. "That's what the fans want."
Related: ‘80s Glam Metal Band to Reunite for Surprise 50th Anniversary Tour 10 Years After Retiring From the Road
Hence then, the article about 80s metal icon reveals reason behind band s disaster reunion tour was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( '80s Metal Icon Reveals Reason Behind Band's 'Disaster' Reunion Tour )
Also on site :
- Teens arrested after large disturbance, multiple fights at Joliet mall
- Transcript: Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Dec. 28, 2025
- Feel Free customers say the kratom drink is making them sick. Toothless FDA rules on dietary supplements are helping it remain a bestseller