Since 1979 the name “Dokken” has been associated with a hard rock/heavy metal sound and many famous international bands. Current and former members have worked in or with The Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Great White, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, Dio, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, Van Halen, Metallica, Whitesnake, Kingdom Come, and more – the list of musicians involved with the band reads like a “Who’s Who” of rock and metal. Through it all, the band has retained Don Dokken (Vocals) and “Wild” Mick Brown (Drums), adding Chris McCarvill (Bass) and Jon Levin (Guitars) – although Jon wasn’t on this tour, his strings being filled by Ira Black, who has also played with I Am Morbid, Westfield Massacre, Metal Church, Vicious Rumors, Heathen, and Lizzy Borden.
The band played many recognized and favorite tunes, including “Breaking The Chains,” “Just Got Lucky”, “Into the Fire”, “Burning Like a Flame”, “In My Dreams”, “Dream Warriors”, and more. Dokken is not a theatrical band, the only costume change was when Don removed his hat, their focus is the music. The band is, in my opinion, under-appreciated; though the State was packed and the crowd enthusiastic, they belong in the same category as the other rock legends mentioned before. Perhaps their new album, scheduled for release in 2018, will again see them climb up that commercial hill back where they belong, and cover bands will be playing their songs!
Unlike many bands who join forces with other bands to tour as a group, with perhaps one local act at each stop, Dokken has see fit to introduce as many local acts as the can at each stop. This time, they were supported by TEER from Zephyrhills, Florida, and Undercover Betty from Tampa (and points north), who are reviewed separately.
When not in custody, I've been involved with music, photography, and writing my entire life. Ever since I was a young boy and played those silver tunes, I've had the beat, but being a drummer didn't suit me so I became a lead singer, which lasted a few years. Settling down, sort of, I translated my knowledge of audio and glib tongue into mobile emcee work, and my training as a photographer and videographer into a living in the wedding, party, bar/bat mitzvah, and entertainment industry. During this time I also managed to bamboozle my way into a master's degree in writing, worked for a couple of magazines (yes, I took photos for a nudist magazine!), have photographed hotels, done commercial work (shot the cover of Tablet and Capsule magazine), published a few articles, hosted some public access shows (a couple times in drag, but that's another story), and generally made a nuisance of myself until I landed here.