Dokken ranks #95 on the Gears of Rock’s Top 100. These ’80s hard rockers released three albums between 1984 and 1987, each of which went platinum. The band is fronted by the vocals of Don Dokken and had the brilliant guitars of George Lynch during its prime. Dokken’s best songs are “Dream Warriors,” “Alone Again,” “Into the Fire,” “Breaking the Chains,” “The Hunter,” and “In My Dreams.”
Best Song: “Into the Fire” (1984)
Best Album: “Tooth and Nail” (1984)
Best Tour: Tooth and Nail Tour 1984/1985
Most Valuable Member: George Lynch – Guitar
Fun Fact: “Dream Warriors” was written for the movie “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors”
Top 100 Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Bands of All-Time – 2013 Edition
Dokken has always been a conundrum to me. They sound so overproduced in the studio … George’s guitar tones are still beautiful, but Don’s vocals are sooooo wimpy and sterile. Then the Beast from the East album elevated them in my ears, mostly because Don had a much more gritty, grinding sound to his voice. He really sounded like he was laying it all out there. And George … well, he’s George. I know a lot of guys who grew up playing guitar in that era took a lot of their influence from Eddie VH. But something about George’s playing made me like him a lot better and try (emphasis on TRY) to cop some of his licks.
It is very difficult to emulate George Lynch. He has the speed like all of the great shredders, however it’s the emotion in his playing that sets him apart from everyone else.