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Dokken in Concert
Dokken on Tour
Back in 2016, LA pop-metal pioneer Don Dokken put the 21st-century iteration of his eponymous band on pause and reunited its classic ‘80s version for a tour of the country where they were most warmly received in their heyday: Japan. The trip resulted in a live album, Return to the East (a sequel to 1988's iconic, Grammy-nominated concert set, Beast from the East) as well as this lineup's first new recording together in over 20 years, "It's Another Day." The reunion proved to be short-lived — guitarist George Lynch returned to the group he'd been leading since the ‘90s, Lynch Mob, while original drummer Mick Brown hung up the sticks for good in 2019. But this band has survived many personnel changes before, and Dokken have entered the 2020s with a revamped roster that includes guitarist Jon Levin (Don's right-hand man since the early 2000s) and the House of Lords rhythm section of drummer BJ Zampa and bassist Chris McCarvill.
Dokken Background
Some people are just born with perfectly rock ‘n' roll names, and when Don Dokken's first group, Airborn, were forced to rebrand due to legal issues in 1978, he wisely went with his surname as a replacement. Over the next decade, Dokken would become a one-word shorthand for ‘80s pop-metal in all its shrieking, fist-pumping glory. But before they became fixtures of the Sunset Strip scene, Dokken cut their teeth in the notorious metal hotbed of Germany, where the band recorded their first album, 1981's Breaking the Chains (and where Don burnished his powerful pipes in recording sessions with Scorpions). Two years later, the album was re-released in the US through Elektra Records, introducing stateside audiences to Don's melodically majestic vocals and guitarist George Lynch's dexterity with muscular riffs and shredtastic solos. As the hair-metal explosion raged through the ‘80s, the band would become fixtures on MTV thanks to the crunch-rock confections like "In My Dreams" and the epic power ballad "Alone Again." The group's golden period came to an end in 1989 when Lynch departed to form his own band, Lynch Mob, and Don released his solo debut. But since then, Don has kept the Dokken name alive for over four decades through a series of reinventions and reformations, demonstrating his undiminished desire to get your fists and cigarette lighters in the air.
I hadn't seen Dokken in a few years. This was a great concert with excellent acoustics at the Genesee Theater. All the favorites were played and George Lynch was awesome. You can tell he really likes to perform. The stage presence was excellent and having Lita Ford as the warm up was icing on the cake! A great value for a concert!
The tickets we bought said Dokken, Lynch Mob, and Lita Ford. Lynch Mob never played and while fantastic, George Lunch only played 3 songs with Dokken. Not much of a "reunion" tour. I suppose it's better than retiring, but Don Dokken is way past his prime -- wish he would have worked out some before going on tour. Overall an OK experience but expected much more.
The Genesee Theater is a world-class operation - smooth ticketing, comfortable seats, great sight lines, knowledgeable staff. Parking is easy, they have a couple bars and allow drinks inside, so you can't go wrong seeing a show there. This particular concert, though, yowza. Lita Ford opens, does a decent job. Her vocals can't quite hang like they used to, but not terrible. She looks great, engages with the audience, and the band sounds great. The songs are not good, just C level writing. Overall I'd give the show a B. Some felt she should have been the headliner. Now Dokken - wow. Don Dokken should just quit already. Their bass player Mark Boals CARRIED this show. Don should not even walk on stage and let Mark sing the songs, he sounds amazing. Don cannot sing to save his life. He has a three-note range and gives a violent bodily reaction in order to hit note 3. It's painful to watch AND to hear. Then you have his complete lack of energy on stage - he's constantly walking on and off with his red solo cup, late for song entrances, and lacks any emotion or energy at all. Is he in poor health? Is he completely high? Does he not care whatsoever?? Hard to tell. But it's a shame. This band was SO good back in the day, and the instruments still are - they just need to get Don the heck outta there. He's ruining his own creation all on his own. So painful to hear a wonderful instrumental opening to an awesome song, bring back all those awesome memories, and then have Don cr*p all over it with his poor vocal condition and apathetic stage presence. Oh well, it was good once upon a time. Shame it's only a memory despite the ingredients being there.
Lita Ford opened up and I thought she was awesome.....and still rockin'! Dokken came on, and for some reason I think there was some confusion as I struck up a conversation in the bar area just before they came on, and the guys I was talking with thought Lynch Mob was playing, and at the end Dokken would come out, and then George would join them at the end. Actually, it was Dokken (without George) for most of the show......George joined for about 4 songs or so at the end. All in all, great show and I do like the venue. Would go back for sure.
Opening band sounded great, seat was perfect (right in front) and drinks were fast & easy to get. The space between seats was tight at the table but fortunately I was seated next to thin people. Fun show !!
First off I want to say I'm happy that live shows are back. And already have tickets for another show. However the food was not that good, the salmon and prime rib concert plates was our order so I don't know about the other items. The opening act was really good I think the name was Thrasher. Dokken was ok but at this time could not quite nail the great "hook" refrains of some of the hits. Also I felt that the sound was a bit muddy and found myself struggling to hear Don's singing.
I'm glad the shows are back. However, the food was not that good. Dokken was not quite as good as I would have liked. Seating and service was good.
Band was very tight with some really clean leads being blasted thru the marshall stacks. I have to hand it to Don with his spine surgery to come out and still perform. He can't hit the high notes anymore but he knows his limitations with help from the back up vocals to get the job done. Worth seeing before we lose another 80's icon from the hair band era we all loved with great teenage memories.
One of our favorite bands from the 80s, FINALLY got to see them live and one of our first concerts since the pandemic shut down. So excited to get out and see live rock ‘n’ roll. Band was great, venue was very comfortable and we felt reasonably safe. Not a lot of people practicing social distancing or wearing masks but we are vaccinated and wore masks and we’re fine.
Waited years for Don and George to play together. And they only played 3 songs together. George had his back to the crowd for the 3 songs...
My husband has been wanting to see Dokken and George Lynch for so long and when we saw that they were coming to Houston, we jumped at the chance to buy tickets. The Arena Theater is not my first choice for concerts these days, due to tight seating, but we were happy to go. We had 5th-row seats right in front of George Lynch's and Don Dokken's microphone. We couldn't have asked for better seats and the crowd was so excited to see them. George Lynch is a true master of the guitar. Rolling Stone magazine rates him 68th out of the 100 greatest guitarists and he didn't disappoint. Wow - at 67 years young, Lynch can truly rock! We loved the Lynch Mob set and we could have listened to him all night. Don Dokken came out with 3 young guys to play his hits - and at 68 years young, Dokken really puts on a great show. He doesn't have the range anymore - no more high notes or screaming, but he has a beautiful voice and I'm so glad he continues to share it with us. He sang all hits, one after another. We did leave before the concert ended, and I'm sure George Lynch shared the stage with Don Dokken. They were both truly grateful and appreciative of the audience who just loved them by singing all the words, dancing, and participating in their songs. I sang their songs all weekend and ordered George Lynch's new album that will be released in September.
Don Dokken should have been a guest band, and come out in stage to sing a couple of songs with George Lynch instead of the other way around, Dude can’t sing anymore, and just needs to get healthy and focus on himself. Following Gerorge Lynch and Electric Freedom made it even worse following an excellent singer.
It was a great show. Don was in a good mood and seemed to enjoy the crowd. Lynch and company put on a great show as always.
I love Dokken and still do but Don can't hit the high notes anymore. The way he changed the songs to cater to his voice really changed the experience for me. The acoustics in the Arena Theatre were terrible so it really made the whole show hard to listen to. The band did an awesome job but I couldn't get past how different the songs were without the high register of Don's voice.
We were sitting on the third row center stage. George Lynch was way too loud. The mix was awful. Could not understand or hear the vocals. George’s playing was good. But way too loud almost ear piercing. The Dokken came on. The mix was better. I could actually understand the vocals. Wasn’t as loud as Lynch’s playing. But when Lynch came out with Dokken for the encore. Same thing. Played way too loud and again the vocals were lost in the mix.
The musicianship of the two bands was excellent. They played a reasonable set in the period of time. It just wasn't the best I have seen either bands, but one has to consider the time we are living and not when they may have been at their best. I would look forward to seeing them under better circumstances.
I had never seen Dokken so I just could not miss my chance. Would have been nice to see them in their hey day. Lynch Mob was awesome. Only played 5 songs but sounded great. Dokken just wasn’t the same but all in all it was a great show.
I remember seeing Dokken, years ago and really enjoyed the show. So when the opportunity came I got these tickets. Lita Ford was fantastic, that girl can rock! As for Dokken, I don't know if it was sound mixing but I was disappointed in. I love the song "In My Dreams" and if I didn't know the lyrics I would not have been able to understand. I know it is a rock show but it was too loud (Lita was not) and garbled. I still enjoyed my evening but Lita made it worth it.
Concert was great! Just didn't play very long. Had to be there super early for security reasons. George Lynch was on "FIRE" !!!!!!! All combined it lasted 2 hours.
Loved seeing my favorite band from the 80’s for the first time ! Wish it could have been a real reunion with the other original members . But the show was still good! Don did the best that he could . His voice is starting to go south ! George Lynch is a beast on guitar !! Would live to see them in a different venue where are not limited by time constraints !! They could have played a few more songs but the Hard Rock doesnt allow bands to go over time !!
