INTO THE FIRE
Don Dokken is still burning after all these years
By Gerry Gittelson
Metal Sludge Editor at Large
HOLLYWOOD — On the first day of spring, Don Dokken was feeling young again.
Among the most influential hard-rock singers in the post-Van Halen era, Dokken and his band have sold millions of records through the years in addition to performing to massive stadium crowds back in the day with the inaugural Monsters of Rock tour.
At 61, Dokken and fellow original Mick Brown (drums) returned with a couple of newbies for a concert Friday, March 20 at the Whisky, and wow did they kick ass.
A capacity crowd filled the 500 iconic club, and it took about two seconds for Dokken to bury any notions about supposed voice issues. His singing was loud and clear and totally on key, and the Californian is clean-shaven with a nice head of hair and a spark in his eye the likes of which have not been seen since the “Tooth and Nail” era.
The singer dressed un all black and looking fit and trim, Dokken opened with “Kiss of Death,” followed by “I am the Hunter,” as the crowd pushed closer to the stage.
Brown began bashing the drums for all his worth on “Dream Warrior,” as memories of what the Los Angeles rock scene used to be came flooding back like a warm swath of mascara, leather and cigarette smoke.
A few moments later, Dokken pushed the accelarator with “Breaking The Chains,” “Into the Fire” and an especially well-executed version of “Alone Again Without You.”
Guitarist Jon Levin proved a good fit. Like most of the world’s guitarists, he does not have quite the feel and speed of predecessor George Lynch — few do — but Levin does not have Lynch’s notorious bad attitude, either, so that’s a big plus.
Jon Levin breaking the chains
Don Dokken and Mark Boals
Jon x2 = Jon Levin and Jon E Love backstage at the ‘Whisky-A-Go-Go”
The sign says it all
Hollywood California = Hair, Make Up, Leather
Meanwhile, bassist Mark Boals has major stripes after stints with Yngwie and Ted Nugent, and the guy was totally in the pocket with Brown.
You like hooks? At a Dokken concert, a great song is never more than a few minutes away.
James Kottak & friends, with Mick Brown, with Krigger & Mick, with a sexy The Hard Way girl
Afterward, Mr. Dokken took a moment in the upstairs dressing room for some introspection.
“You know what? This feels just like it always did,” he said. “It hasn’t changed at all. Not a bit.”
Looking around the room, he was right. Groupies in high heels were strutting about, a bunch of folks were consuming shots of hard liquor, and Scorpions drummer James Kottak even popped in for a visit.
Special thanks to Jake Perry for setting us up.
Story and photos by Gerry Gittleson
Additional Photography by Joe Schaeffer as seen on Facebook
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv
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