Classic Dokken lineup to reunite for live shows

Dokken in 1985
Dokken in 1985 (Image credit: Getty)

Dokken’s classic lineup of Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and Mick Brown are to play together live again later this year.

Drummer Brown confirmed the news that they would take to the stage for six shows in Japan “at the end of this year” and says further live dates could be possible, but they don’t want to plan too far ahead.

The sticksman tells One On One With Mitch Lafon: “There’s talk of us doing something in Japan at the end of this year and if that happens and we make it through, then there could be talk about something. Let’s just get through six shows and if we can do that, then maybe we can go ahead. It’s just up in the air.”

Frontman Don Dokken and guitarist George Lynch have a volatile relationship, with both sides trading barbed comments in the past. And when asked how he sees the pair getting on when they’re reunited, Brown says: “It was something that was there since day one and it’s never going to go away – and that’s what’s making me feel hesitant about getting together again.

“I haven’t see a change in either one of them, so I don’t know what to expect. But I’m willing to find out. In spite of ourselves, we always seem to do well. It’s never very easy and I’m sure it’s not going to be this time either.”

Brown admits the reunion was brought about for purely financial reasons, and realises it’s not an ideal situation.

He adds: “It’s the money we’re doing it for and I think that’s the wrong reason. The reason should be we want to play together – and I don’t think anyone wants to play together – but the money we’re being offered to do it, you just can’t say no.”

Last year, Dokken appeared to pour cold water on any hopes of a reunion, despite Lynch revealing he’d been in talks with Pilson about getting the lineup back together.

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Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.