Don Dokken
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Donald Maynard Dokken (born June 29, 1953) is a singer most famous for being the lead singer of the band Dokken which bears his name.
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 Croucier, 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 for the band. 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 and then recorded Up From The Ashes. 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. Today Dokken still record material and tour.
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