Dokken
If you ever wanted a quick reference to where your favorite hair metal band got their start, check out this Hair Metal History Map put together by Phil D.
Phil writes… “I spent dozens of hours putting it together and now, I’m trying to share it with those who would appreciate it! It is a work in progress and I would love any suggestions or input!”
Band choices were made based on the look, subject matter, attitude, lifestyle, time period, influence, affiliated bands, radio/TV play, and Phil’s memory.
Click on any band photo to see where they are from. You can also click the ‘Timeline’ tab that will show the hair metal movement origins in 1977 and where it grew across the U.S. and Europe through 1994.
Thanks for the great work Phil!
On April 6, 1985, DOKKEN performed their hits ‘Just Got Lucky’ and ‘Alone Again’ on American Bandstand. Bassist Jeff Pilson shared his memories…
“I remember the day well. We’d just played with Triumph the night before in San Diego, and had to play AB at 9:00 AM. Back then that was extremely early for all of us.”
“Anyways I remember Don decided to try a new outfit that day- we called it the pirate outfit. Wow- turned out to be not such a great idea! Poor guy- got ribbed to death on that one. At least he tried doing something new, but what an embarrassment (like all the other outfits from that era weren’t!!). George looked cool in it (I do have a copy and showed my wife a couple years ago so the memory is fairly fresh).”
“Other than that Mick saved the day by saying the highlight of his career was meeting Gladys Knight (who was also on the show) after George inadvertently dissed Detroit by saying it was the low point on the tour. Of course what he had meant was the hotel room he and I had shared that had blood stains and stab marks in one of the beds!! But all in all a very cool experience!”
Hello 80’s metalheads, lurkers, and surfers! There is word again of a possible DOKKEN reunion, this time from former bassist, Jeff Pilson, who says “we’re actually working really hard to try and pull something together right now. It has to fall in spaces where there is time off [from my gig with Foreigner], so I don’t know for sure whether it’s gonna happen. So let’s just say we’re all friendly now, we’re all past all the decades-old crap, and we all talk and everything’s great. Now it really is just down to scheduling and trying to figure it out. Because, you know, you’ve gotta do it right, if you’re gonna do it. We all feel that way. Pilson continued; “We shared something very special together. I think we’re all at the point in life where we kind of appreciate it now. And if we ever get a chance to do some more with it, I think… It would be very interesting, because we’ve never been in a situation where there wasn’t animosity, so I don’t know. [Laughs] Maybe it won’t work. I don’t know. [Laughs]”
In case you missed it, Sammy Hagar (The Red Rocker) made some interesting claims in this Dan Rather interview clip released over the weekend, saying “I was really as big as VAN HALEN.” Click Here to watch the video.
Man, I love the rockumentaries coming out now on some of the 80’s metal and hard rocks bands and how they really capture the hunger of the early days. The QUIET RIOT one was really good and now TWISTED SISTER is out today. Check out a clip of ‘We Are Twisted F***ing Sister’ at this location – Click Here.
Happy Birthday to QUEENSRŸCHE Guitarist Michael Wilton. He turns 54 today. Did you know he is also known as ‘The Whip,’ for how fast his fingers “whip” around the guitar fretboard? After original Queensrÿche guitarist Chris DeGarmo left the band in 1998, Wilton gradually began performing most of the songs that previously featured DeGarmo doing the main solo live, including “Silent Lucidity”, “The Mission”, “En Force”, “I Am I”, “Take Hold of the Flame”, “Best I Can”, “The Killing Words”, “Bridge”, “The Lady Wore Black” and “Anybody Listening?”, amongst others.
Happy Birthday to Andres Moreno listening to METAL SHOP in Bogotá, Colombia and Jacob Kulhanek listening in Houston, Texas.
Have a terrific Tuesday and never stop rockin’!
Hope it was a good weekend for you. Maybe you live near Dallas, Texas and got to see MEGADETH kick off off their North American ‘Dystopia’ Tour on Saturday. They opened with “Hangar 18” and the encore was “Holy Wars… The Punishment Due.” Dave Mustaine recently said about the setlist that people say, “You gotta do this, you gotta do that. I ain’t gotta do nothing. And listening to the fans, what they like, and listening to what I like. Between the two of us, one of us is going to be right. And I know that when it comes down to playing stuff that makes me feel good, I like playing the heavy stuff.”
Maybe you live near Aberdeen, Washington and got to see METAL CHURCH play their first show with singer Mike Howe in more than 20 years on Friday. Howe fronted the band from 1988 until 1994, and is featured on the new album, “XI”, which will be released on March 25. Check out fan footage – Click Here
Great read on DOKKEN this weekend and how their MTV success and the approval of Freddy Krueger couldn’t stop the most fractious band of the 80s from tearing itself apart. Despite the success the band had, singer Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch had never much liked each other. In 1988, Dokken played on the ‘Monsters of Rock’ tour with Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica and Kingdom Come. Don Dokken says they had to follow Metallica and “didn’t stand a chance. After Metallica went out and played ‘Master Of Puppets,’ we sounded like the fucking Partridge Family.” (Free registration required for full article).
OZZY OSBOURNE released his fourth solo album, “The Ultimate Sin” 30 years ago today after finishing a stint in rehab at the Betty Ford Clinic the year before. Ozzy considers it his worst album, calling it “The Ultimate Din” and guitarist Jake E. Lee would be unceremoniously terminated the following year after the Ultimate Sin tour ended. Of course, the fans didn’t experience this record the way Ozzy and his band did. While not his best, it stands up on it’s own and sounds better with time.
In 1989, a category for Heavy Metal was included at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Metallica performed on stage, but the award went to Jethro Tull. Fans (and even some audience members) were rightly outraged, though Tull’s record label tried to make light of the faux pas by placing a Billboard ad that read, “The flute is a heavy, metal instrument.” When Metallica later won a Grammy for 1991’s Metallica, they thanked Jethro Tull for not release a competing album.
Have a fantastic Monday and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP.
Here we go Monday Monday and Happy Birthday to former OZZY OSBOURNE and RATT Guitarist Jake E. Lee, who turns 59 today. Here is some wild 80’s metal history for you… Did you know Ronnie James Dio invited Lee to join his new solo band DIO in 1982 before Vivian Campbell got the job? Lee had accepted, though his time in Dio’s band was short-lived. According to drummer Vinny Appice, there were rehearsals with Lee and Dio and recordings of those rehearsals still exist. Lee claims to have written the main riff to “Don’t Talk to Strangers” (which would later appear on the Holy Diver album) and that Dio wanted him to play “simple block chords that wouldn’t trample on his vocals”.
When Ozzy sought a permanent replacement for the deceased Randy Rhoads, he came to Los Angeles to audition lead guitarists. Bassist Dana Strum, who had recommended Rhoads to Osbourne in 1979, this time recommended Lee for the job. Osbourne was torn between Lee and DOKKEN guitarist George Lynch. Though Osbourne is said to have initially chosen Lynch, he soon changed his mind and Lee became his full-time guitarist for the next five years.
LITA FORD is releasing a tell-all-book next week and opens up about her wild life on the ’80s music scene, including dalliances with Jon Bon Jovi, Eddie Van Halen and BLACK SABBATH guitar legend Tony Iommi. Her relationship with Iommi allegedly began with a failed attempt at sex as he was “too high” on cocaine. “He was impotent from his constant drug use, and he was very embarrassed. I felt bad for him and didn’t really know what to do. Eventually, I got him off.” Ford also alleges the relationship with Iommi was abusive. You can read more at this location – Click Here
Well, it’s time to put the fun back in funeral my friends and celebrate a bunch of dead presidents. Maybe you have the day off for President’s Day in the U.S. If you do, “Cheers!” If not, “Cheers!” to you too.
Welcome to a Wednesday Metal Rats.
Just one day after Alice Cooper weighed in on the GUNS N’ ROSES reunion wondering why founding guitarist Izzy Stradlin wasn’t a part of it, there is a rumor he will participate in a limited role. Cooper said yesterday, “I don’t know about drums, but certainly Izzy is viable. You’d think if Slash and Axl are working together — and Duff is one of those guys that gets along with everybody — then at least Izzy would be one of the guys who would be a shoo-in. And maybe he is, I don’t know.”
Blabbermouth is reporting that Izzy Stradlin will participate “for sure” in what has been described as a “limited” capacity. Stradlin seems like he will at least perform with the group at its two early April shows in Las Vegas. There was “still discussion” about original drummer Steven Adler participating in the reunion at some level, while the name of his replacement, Matt Sorum, did not come up in the conversation.
Happy Posthumous Birthday to METALLICA Bassist Cliff Burton. He would have been 54 today. In his teenage years, Burton had an interest in rock, classical and eventually heavy metal. He began playing the bass at age 13, after the death of his brother. His parents quoted him as saying, “I’m going to be the best bassist for my brother.” He practiced up to six hours per day (even after he joined Metallica). Cliff died in 1986. R.I.P.
On this date in 1978, VAN HALEN released their debut album. Eventually, it would become regarded by fans and critics as one of rock and roll’s greatest debut albums. However, its initial critical reception was mostly negative, with one music critic writing, “This music belongs on an aircraft carrier” and a Rolling Stone critic who predicted, “In three years, Van Halen is going to be fat and self-indulgent and disgusting … follow[ing] Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin right into the toilet. In the meantime, they are likely to be a big deal.”
In other Van Halen news, former singer Sammy Hagar was asked what he would do if the group called him to come back. He responded, “no comment,” but also said, “We’ll see what happens when it happens — if it happens.” Oh boy.
Today in 1978, JUDAS PRIEST released “Stained Class.” It gained notoriety for its dark lyrics and themes, as well as a 1990 civil action trial where the band were accused of backmasking that led to the suicide attempts of two teenagers.
Also on this date in 1987, DOKKEN released the single “Dream Warriors,” written by guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson for the movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.”
Finaly, the heavy metal community was virtually celebrating in the streets on Feb. 10, 1999, when it learned that British legends IRON MAIDEN would be welcoming fan-favored vocalist Bruce Dickinson back into the fold after a six-year absence, and guitarist Adrian Smith after a decade.
That was a good day indeed and it’s always a great day for 80’s metal and hard rock. Rock on brothers and sisters and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP!
Time to kick Tuesday’s ass with 80’s metal and hard rock… Maiden, Priest, Metallica, DIO, Crue, Scorps, RATT, Megadeth, W.A.S.P., Dokken and more spin 24/7 on METAL SHOP.
Happy Birthday to SKID ROW founder and bassist Rachel Bolan (real name: James Richard Southworth). His stage name ‘Bolan’ is a tribute to one of his childhood idols, T. Rex frontman, Marc Bolan. Did you know Rachel Bolan sang back-up vocals on Mötley Crüe’s Dr. Feelgood album?
Late MOTÖRHEAD frontman, Lemmy Kilmister was a regular at The Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA. A memorial was held there on the day of Lemmy’s funeral on January 9th and a mural was painted on the bar’s wall as a mark of respect. Now, a life-size bronze statue of Lemmy will be erected outside the venue.
From the WTF file, former QUEENSRŸCHE Singer Geoff Tate Is Working On Jazz Album.
Dave Mustaine has discussed the possibility of re-recording MEGADETH’s debut ‘Killing Is My Business… and Business Is Good!’ with the band’s current lineup, saying “If I did go back and record any old songs, it would probably be like a brand new interpretation of our greatest hits, because I think that focusing on any one record and showing an interpretation of all of our great songs by a new lineup would be more exciting. You never know. We might do that.”
Really excited for IRON MAIDEN’s return to the states in two weeks. The Book Of Souls World Tour starts Feb. 24th in Sunrise, FL. Maiden posted the photo below on the band’s Facebook page yesterday with the caption “We’re still packing!! Glad it’s a big plane…”
Have a rockin’ day!
Legendary Rock Interviews: (Producer) Michael (Wagener) told us that the tension between you and George was very real but he also felt some of it contributed to the great performances. Do you think that some of the strife had anything at all to do with the fact that you had a friendship with Michael dating way back to before George or Jeff even joined the band?
Don Dokken: I don’t know. Every album I fought for Michael to do the record and the band definitely thought that we were in cahoots. George was always worried that Michael would make my vocals too loud, childish things like that. I said “The vocals shouldn’t be too loud or too low, they should be right where they’re supposed to be”, him saying that didn’t make any sense to me. The problem was, as Michael well knew, George and I never got along from the very beginning. Even in Germany when Micheal was working with us on “Breaking The Chains” every day was a struggle just trying to get something on tape with George. I liked using Michael because he was just about the only person I knew that could deal with all the madness and pretension. Having said that, I think a lot of it had to do with drugs and alcohol and stuff like that you know….I never got into that whole 80s cocaine thing, it just wasn’t my thing but as we got popular they all really developed pretty bad drug problems and Jeff and George were really writing a lot of songs for the Dokken albums at their drug dealer’s houses and I was kind of the odd man out writing my songs at my house alone. I never wrote a song with George, not one. People always thought it was like a Motley or Van Halen situation where I was the frontman like Vince or Dave but they forget that I was the guitar player in Dokken. I play guitar and I played guitar on the first tour. I would go home alone with my guitar and write songs like “In My Dreams” or “Alone Again” or “Into The Fire” or songs like that and they would go off together and write their songs. A lot of times they couldn’t come up with lyrics for their songs so I would help with that or help with re-writing lyrics to make them better. It was all just about the best songs making it, it always has been, but George and I never wrote a song together.
Metal Forces: (Bassist Jeff Pilson) “George Lynch and Don Dokken sadly have an acrimonious relationship. Sure, there are reasons they don’t get along. I could go into all sorts of psychological explanations for why. Things have happened over the years (laughs). We were kind of a volatile band for many years – there was a lot of stuff going on. The easiest way to sum it up is just egos. I think it was just a battle of egos all of the way through. Sometimes George says things that he shouldn’t say, but he’s pretty much a from the heart kind of guy and he pretty much means what he says. He says things sincerely which people don’t get, and that’s the problem sometimes (laughs). Overall though, he’s a very from the heart kind of guy. It’s a shame that they don’t get along, but I think a lot of that has kind of dissipated over the years. I think they get along better than people realize now.”
“Nonetheless, a reunion of Dokken’s classic line-up cannot be ruled out. “It’s always a possibility, but timing and scheduling has been really tricky for T&N as it is,” the vocalist cautions. “We’d love to tour this thing, but certainly my commitments with Foreigner make it very difficult trying to tour. That was kind of the case the last time we tried to do a Dokken reunion; I just wasn’t able to devote the time to it that would’ve been necessary, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. You never know. If we were to do Dokken it would be a fairly intensive commitment though, and I just don’t see that happening right away.
“George’s and Don’s relationship isn’t an obstacle, Jeff feels. “If they were in a room together right now, they’d laugh and it’d be fine,” he adds. “I won’t say that there haven’t been some hiccups in the last couple of years (laughs). There have been a couple of times when things have been bad, but the last I heard they were fine with one another. I think they even spoke not that long ago, and it was fine.”
Über Röck: “I never wanted to be a singer – honestly. I mean I was a guitar player and a singer, but guitar was my thing in my earlier bands. When I played my first big show, which was opening up for Journey, and our singer didn’t show up! I was like, “holy crap” so I sang and played guitar. After that I sang and played guitar and then after ‘Breaking the Chains’ with George in the band we were both playing guitar, but these were the days of David Lee Roth and such so there was a downside to trying to play guitar and be the lead singer. You can’t get off the mic, unless you’re like Sammy Hagar and wear a head set. Our management said “we think you should just front the band and let George play guitar”, he’s an excellent guitarist, but it was hard. It had been my crutch; it was kind of weird at first. I ended up as the lead singer because it was the days of Van Halen and other bands coming out with front men running around, going stage left and stage right and working the crowds.”
“I think a pivotal moment was when we started getting a following and opening up for bands like Van Halen, etc. and then obviously I got the offer to go to Germany and sing background vocals on the Scorpion’s album (‘Blackout’), and that was pivotal for me. I had done a demo and the manager for Accept was there, and they took my demos and handed me a plane ticket and told me I had a record deal. I got paid like 7,500.00 dollars – for the whole deal…so I had a record deal and no band. What some people don’t realise is that I had a solo album out in Germany, called ‘Don Dokken’. Then when we got the American record deal, they dropped the first name, and it became Dokken.”