Don Dokken on Mick Brown, "He didn't do s***"

This excerpt was taken from a full in bloom interview with vocalist Don Dokken.
Don talks about money issues in Dokken, songwriting, Mick Brown, Jeff Pilson, George Lynch, and more.
LINKS TO MORE INTERVIEWS W/ DON DOKKEN
Don Dokken on Breaking the Chains, Warren DeMartini, George Lynch, Juan Croucier, Scorpions Blackout
• Don Dokken on Breaking...
Don Dokken on Drug Use During 1984's Tooth & Nail, Elektra's Threat, Lynch, Mick, Pilson, Interview • Don Dokken on Drug Use...
Don Dokken Talks Tooth and Nail:
• Dokken 'Tooth and Nail...
Don Dokken on 'Under Lock and Key" Album, "The one record that we actually all got along" Interview
• Don Dokken on 'Under L...
Don Dokken on Breakup of the Classic Lineup, "I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown" - Interview • Don Dokken on Breakup ...
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Outro taken from "The Parting" by FOOL OF FATE
#Dokken #dondokken #georgelynch #foreigner

[@ssinistrari2257]

Most of you are missing the point. It doesn't matter if you believe Don Dokken wrote all the lyrics, music, etc. He has said over and over, he let it all be a FOUR WAY SPLIT when it comes to the money. It was Don's band. He started it. He brought the others in. How many guys who start bands do that? Split the money like that? Damn few. Most take the writing credits and let the other guys starve. For decades, you heard others in the band point fingers at Don about money, etc. But if it is EQUAL PAY, you really have nothing to say. If you get lucky in life to make money like that, never forget it can stop just as fast. Save it. Invest it. Be smart not stupid.

[@stephensanchez9590]

I agree 100 percent with you it was dons band and he still split 4 ways

[@user-wd1ip2up3m]

100% Correct.... Nothing I can Add to That....

[@jimmycampbell78]

Absolutely right, I think Don Dokken was fair to the other guys in the band and he clearly pointed out how they wasted their money.

[@douglascasey3486]

Don's lyrics wasn't what caught my attention when I first heard Dokken.

[@kawada1]

He was more than fair. Who else has a self titled band and splits the money evenly. No one, that's who.

[@user-np6fr7dn9s]

Live within your means! Even rock stars should take note of this. I met Don in 1993 at a music conference in Rochester New York. We talked about the music business and he was a great influence to me. He was very humble and down to earth. I’m glad he was smart in his lifestyle decisions.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

I say he's only half smart. He's by far in the worst physical shape of the 4 original members. He got throat cancer from smoking yet I saw a very recent interview where he's was actually taking drags off a cigarette while talking. Doesn't get any stupider than that

[@tomsawyer5736]

I’m from Rochester & great story!

[@BPoweredLove]

The boys buying "$700,000 mansions in Arizona" did just fine. In the last runup to the GFC, they became valued at 7-figures. It's a weird example for Don to use this to imply that it was frivolous spending. Phoenix and Las Vegas housing markets were the hottest (fastest and largest growth) at that time.

[@kevincrego6933]

Wow. You know how to get these guys to open up. Another awesome interview. It's only Rock and Roll, but I like it.

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

To be fair, Pilson has been sober over 30+ years and probably has the better head on his shoulders.

[@billymac6233]

Not to mention, he's been touring with Foreigner for a very long time and that band does very good business overall. Plus, he's producing. I'm sure financially, Jeff P is doing fine. Pilsen is definitely the most likable guy in Dokken.

[@jeffmcpeek2526]

@@jamescon55 I've seen or heard interviews from Don and Jeff.Don said Jeff got sober after the 89 live album.

[@travelthenarrowtrail8660]

The one guy calling out the others for past addiction issues is the only one dealing with addiction currently. While the other guys are doing well physically and financially.

[@arthurmurfitt7698]

@@billymac6233100%

[@goathair33]

Very gracious of him, did he tell Mick that when he was still playing in his band? Funny how Don forgot how to write any hit songs after Jeff & George weren’t around anymore.

[@MoreEqualAnimal]

Apparently they forgot as well.

[@MoreEqualAnimal]

What hit songs did they write after Dokken?

[@goathair33]

@@MoreEqualAnimal pretty sure the KXM records as just one example have charted higher than anything post-Lynch Dokken has ever done. Does that count?

[@MoreEqualAnimal]

@@goathair33 No.

[@kri249]

This is why admire Don Dokken so much. He's such a simplistic, humble down to earth guy who was passionate about starting a band with his own style of music. He wasn't blinded by the money and fame and squandered what he earned on the high life. You can even see was that type of guy in older interviews when he was much younger. I got such mad respect for the guy.

[@gilblanco.1300]

Lmao 🤣

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

All Don does is bash people. Total loser

[@BPoweredLove]

This is hysterical. If you're being sarcastic, you are hiding it well. If you're not, then wow. "humble down to earth" is wild. Either way, this comment is hysterical, my friend.

[@buntline1873]

Hopefully he moves to France soon.

[@gregdonald9506]

Jeff is in Foreigners and has his own studio. Lynch is always busy. Don’s voice is beyond shot.

[@randymoran67]

Foreigner is pathetic

[@jeffalbillar7625]

Yeah, I saw a few videos of him in concert and the guy can't sing anywhere near as well as he did in the past. I'm happy for him though

[@kevinstreet220]

Yea, take the money (materials goods) out of the equation and Jeff and George are still rocking to a very high standard, with good health. Don?? Not so much, his health is shit and he lost his voice (vocal range) years ago. I have more respect for J&G. so FDD😂😂

[@jdessell]

His voice sounds like someone sticking a hot curling iron up a cat's ass.

[@user-tk2ld1dl2p]

This is really sad of Don to be saying and bragging about material things. Instead of saying, " hey we were really fortunate to have created some good music and memories ". Don you may have bigger houses and more money, but you don't seem happy and always want to bash Jeff, Mick and George. Yes, Jeff, Mick and George are no angels and have made their fair share of mistakes, I just feel they always come off in interviews as being happier. Don I appreciate the music you, Jeff, Mick and George created. Don, stop getting sucked into the questions that lead you into bashing your former bandmates ... give it a rest. I'm sure I speak for many Dokken fans.

[@jackheath7093]

Nobody evrrcame to a Dokken show to hear Dons lyrics... Don was lucky to have George, and they would never have gone anywhere without him.

[@bigbobbitchinii123]

They were lucky to have each other. Don never wrote another tooth and nail or under lock. George had one song. Wicked sensation. Chemistry man. These egotistical musicians always fuck themselves. The smart ones tolerate each other. For all of the shit Lynch talked. He now is playing a couple songs with Don. As horrible as Don's singing is!

[@artofsam]

Exactly, George was the basically the only member to have a career post-Dokken, Don needed him way more than George needed Don.

[@jimmyraidjames]

George Lynch is one of my fave Guitarists🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@Bullet44]

I agree.

[@mattmacarthur520]

Don just letting loose 😂guys at the age where he simply doesn’t care who he offends or what he says .. that’s rock n roll man hahaha, love Don and George and especially love them both together!! Such a killer band I wish they wouldn’t have broken up after back for the attack , they were at their peaks .

[@billyt9987]

I love the "Back for the Attack" album. "Stop fighting love" is one of my favorite 80's songs. That album is full of killer tunes.

[@user-ps6gu5xo4k]

$20,000 in the 1980’s was a lot of money! My parents bought their house in 1983 for $20,000. A nice small town in upstate New York. Back in the 1980’s, it was a great and inexpensive place to live. No crime, no traffic, very low taxes and houses were cheap compared to the rest of the country.

[@DanM-mi8oo]

No joke. Man, can you imagine putting twenty grand into Apple stock or even a non-sexy dividend paying stock like Coke or something and reinvested all of the quarterly dividends into more shares? Probably have mid to high six figures just off that $20k investment alone.

[@DanM-mi8oo]

No joke. Man, can you imagine putting twenty grand into Apple stock or even a non-sexy dividend paying stock like Coke or something and reinvested all of the quarterly dividends into more shares? Probably have mid to high six figures just off that $20k investment alone.

[@DanM-mi8oo]

No joke. Man, can you imagine putting twenty grand into Apple stock or even a non-sexy dividend paying stock like Coke or something and reinvested all of the quarterly dividends into more shares? Probably have mid to high six figures just off that $20k investment alone.

[@DanM-mi8oo]

No joke. Man, can you imagine putting twenty grand into Apple stock or even a non-sexy dividend paying stock like Coke or something and reinvested all of the quarterly dividends into more shares? Probably have mid to high six figures just off that $20k investment alone.

[@alexhicks5889]

The only reason Don can say Mick didn't write anything is the antiquated law that says drum beats aren't songwriting. What would "Don't Close Your Eyes" be without the awesome drum part Mick came up with?

[@ForeverMPH]

You're right about that! One of my favorites!

[@BPoweredLove]

And what would In the My Dreams video be if Mick hadn't agreed to let "rain" (water) drench his drums for the slow-motion splashing effect?! 😂😂

[@todd-1]

Mick is a great drummer! And He provided excellent backing vocals. His lead vocals on 'crazy mary' was awesome!

[@jockmctodger]

Your interviews are the best

[@fullinbloom]

Thank you, my friend.

[@kissdiaries]

Another great Interview

[@toma.4808]

If you're happy with your blessings than don't ruin the sentiment by going on about them and their past mistakes. Just enjoy your life . The dokken drama continues to drone on. Its sad hearing 70yr men who haven't played together for year's continue to take swipes at eachother. For what? Relevance? Kiss does the same thing. Thanks for up from the ashes don, don't need the drama

[@paulthompson8642]

Thanks again

For someone doing so well, he sure is grumpy!!

[@billymac6233]

Exactly. Don has always been a pitiful man. During his shows, he skulks around the stage with that awful Marlboro voice of his bitching about everything and telling long-depressing stories. This is NOT a guy that enjoys what he's doing.

[@jamescon55]

Hey, I NEVER have been a HUGE "Don fan" personally, either but...The guy HAS, gone through some pretty "INTENSE" health issues within the past decade or more...Chyt that MOST people wouldn't be alive to talk about (I WILL/CAN , give that to him anyways).....🤘🔥🤘

[@dellcoats4648]

Fantastic interview 🤩🤩🤩

[@bsrg550]

Don’t hold back, Don! 😂

[@HazeOfWhearyWater]

_"I wrote the whole record."_ I'm not buying that. Without George Lynch I wouldn't have listened. I still listen to George Lynch and have no idea what Don Dokken is up to.

[@Lordhumongus]

That's crazy bc GL musical output since about 1993 is dookie. Don's kept the Dokken fire going and the album Lightning Strikes again was a SMOKING record. If you didn't know better you would not know GL didn't play on that record.

[@HazeOfWhearyWater]

@@Lordhumongus Don Dokken spent the rest of his career trying to duplicate George Lynch's sound and style after he left. Ask any guitarist, George Lynch is one of the greats.

[@Lordhumongus]

@HazeOfWhearyWater I've been playing for 30 years. I can nail most of George's solos as I've been a huge fan for most of that 30 years. I don't disagree he's a great but that doesn't change any of what I said. Dokken solo album almost went gold. 400k plus on sales. More than Lynch Mob. Lynch even tried Rap/nu metal with LM and it bombed. Dokken consistently put out better material throughout and the album George had most input on was a flop, which is Shadow Life. Well known George shit the bed on that deal and mostly his solo stuff sucks. With the exception of the first two LM albums of which, did not perform as well as Don's output.

[@Lordhumongus]

@HazeOfWhearyWater and if you haven't listened to John Levin..you should because Don didn't "try" to copy GL sounds. He did it to a T. John Levin is a phenomenal player and excellent clone of GL and he doesn't pretend to be anything else. Give LTA a listen my friend. If you like George you will appreciate Levins playing on that album

[@HazeOfWhearyWater]

@@Lordhumongus _"Don didn't "try" to copy GL sounds. He did it to a T."_ Basically what I said.

[@psiklops71]

Don when you played monsters of rock you were high as a kite i remember it clearly because i postponed my heart surgery .. to see this show what we do to see a show at 16years old

[@davidperez5089]

Surgery at 16?

[@psiklops71]

@@davidperez5089 my aorta was blocked was told not to postpone it but i did for that concert 88 monsters of rock ... i saw Eddie Bleed on me during eruption .. that was my heaven

[@buffdaddy2032]

​@@psiklops71and your parents were good with a 16 year old deciding that ?

[@psiklops71]

@@buffdaddy2032 Yes they were ...

[@theophany1770]

I was there in Tampa. 18 years old. Main band I wanted to see and was disappointed

[@windwarattack2300]

Sometimes the truth hurts....just because it sounds angry and spiteful doesn't mean it isnt the truth and that he has some valid points

[@KnockAndAskToday]

Everytime I hear an interview with him he comes across as honest. He tells the truth, whether people like it or not. The fact is he was a serious musician dealing with a bunch of spoiled toddlers. Most of the disrespect he received in the 80's was because people he gave a job/gig to & made rich, decided to run their mouths publically about stuff that simply wasnt true. I've seen a few interviews with one of the others where he seems cool, but suddenly becomes a complete ahole if he's triggered by anything an interviewer raises (politics, religion or current events) that he doesnt like. The band broke up because Don simply couldn't put up with the behaviour any longer. They bit the hand that fed them & came crawling back when the scene was done & dusted.

[@RS-ol8or]

Don is probably telling 50% truth and the rest is BS, embellishment to make him look better than he was.

[@teecuzbruh4058]

@@KnockAndAskToday It does seem that way to me too, only I call Don's CNN informed politics stupid and lazy. I had to LOL at "Don Dokken genocidal maniac" in a fairly recent Classic Metal Show live interview (Don's extremely tight with Neeley the host, Neeley still road manages Dokken to this day). There no fricken' way that Don's position on that Israeli genocide sits right with George. And look, I don't agree with most of George's shitlib politics either, but on that George is correct, only he hasn't spoken out against it like he does everything else. I just looked at your channel, and saw the anti feminism stuff, so you and I are on the same wavelength somewhat, though I don't know what you think about the current near world war Israel is about to provoke, but anyway....

[@ThinkReal]

Don owned real estate in Manhattan Beach before the real estate boom. That's enough right there to make you a multi-millionaire. That's all you need to know.

[@jayrusnak]

Ding ding!!!

[@johncole015]

Mick seemed to add nice harmonies with Jeff on every song and I didn't hear anything comparable from the current lineup of Dokken when I saw them last summer.

[@dorkbear]

In 86-87 I remember hearing Dokken was WAY into cocaine. Every band who had any degree of success was probably doing it too, but to hear one band was REALLY into it, you know they had to be snorting tons of cash right up their noses.

[@teecuzbruh4058]

Probably, but maybe he didn't let it get way outta control for too long, just outta control in spurts. I don't know, but if I was in their shoes in the 80's in LA, I might had been way into coke too. I know the little bit of coke I've done, I had to do it until it was gone, then try try to go sleep. LOL, what a nightmare! It's like going from a drag strip, to a drag strip in reverse

[@jamescon55]

Yeah, LOTTA people, that START doin coke anyways, CAN and STILL CAN BE highly "productive" and function in the norm. But yeah, THAT usually ALWAYS ends UP ceasing to happen, the longer they KEEP ON doin it, in the long term end of the spectrum... But yeah, "me myself and I" for example? ALL THAT just was NOT the case with me lol. Doin ANY kinda "stimulate" JUST fouled UP about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that I would "try" doing in about ANY form/area...I would be just ABSOLUTELY OBSESSED/fixated on the fact that I HAD the drug 😬 Therefore, my mindset WAS? Let's just do it ALL and like as MUCH as we CAN DO, until it's GONE, and yeah I am ALL "obsessed" and screwed THEN, as well.... Terrible terrible drug "for my system/make-up" anyways Lol.... I've ALWAYS done "better" on the barbiturates etc...Coke (and that friggin METH!) 😬🫨 Christ, I am so fortunate to have been able to just "walk TF AWAY" from ALL THAT (back when) ✊. But yeah, the chyt RUINED ALOT of my old associates, and actual couple/few legit "friends" that I DID have.... Only a couple of em STILL around that COULDN'T quit it and, yeah.... I'm friends on FB whatever with a couple of em etc. But yeah, I AIN'T spoke (nor plan on speaking) with ANY of em in OVER 20 years, now.....😔 Unfortunately, indeed.

[@user-bx3hz6wl5m]

Here's the deal, unless you play every instrument on your albums you NEED the other musicians. You can write all the "hit" songs you want but if they don't get played and recorded they aint hits. Don Dokken needed the other 3 just as much as they needed him which is why a 4 way split is fair.

[@RJS1874]

And it continues...Don is all about Don. Don's a great songwriter...He'll tell you so himself. I just don't get the constant self-aggrandizement. Dimming other lights doesn't make yours shine any brighter. Said another, tearing other people down, doesn't make you look good.

[@Goawaykidyoubotherme]

True but he has a right to self defense. They run around yelling he screwed us then he has a right to say no mother fucker you screwed you

[@MadChiller]

I see now why in the last interview I read with George Lynch he said “I think the Lynch Mob & Dokken tour has run it’s course.” No one would stay to see the current Dokken line up if it wasn’t for George coming out and playing the last three songs of the night with them.

[@markmellberg9348]

I wasn’t there so I didn’t know shit but when I listen to Don Dokken 1990 I believe Don. That fucking album is incredible.

[@Jerusalem_777]

Exactly! The best Dokken album IS Up From The Ashes. Always has been.

[@christhembones8244]

I think Don must be referring to the song lyrics. There’s no way he wrote the guitar parts like “Kiss of Death” or “Mr. Scarey”. You can tell George’s signature style.

[@scottstedeford7575]

In copyright law, you can copyright only lyrics and the melody that accompanies the lyrics. Nothing beyond lyrics and melody can be copyrighted. That includes guitar riffs, bass lines, signature drum parts, song arrangement, even the song title. So when Don says he “wrote” 90% of the album, he’s referring specifically to lyrics and melody. That is to say that no one other than the writer of the lyrics and melody is legally entitled to royalty payments. The other players typically get a check for their performance on the recording, like getting paid for playing a gig. That an owner of the copyrights, like Don, would include those who did not contribute to lyrics and melody is strictly an act of graciousness, as the others have no entitlement in the law to any writing credits or royalty payments.

[@christhembones8244]

@@scottstedeford7575 that’s very interesting. As a new songwriter and lead guitar player I had no idea of this. In my opinion this type of music revolves around the guitar riffs for lyrics to be filled in around…same with what I do. I get most other genres this fits this description. But, I look at Lynch and Pilson the driving force for these riffs, else nothing for Don Dokken to fill in. But don’t get me wrong, I 💯 believe Don Dokken was the responsible adult in the group. Lol.

[@scottstedeford7575]

@@christhembones8244 That’s true about this genre of music. Mostly centers on the riffs. No doubt that Lynch and Pilson wrote every last note of those riffs. Unfortunately, not one of those riffs in and of themselves are copyrightable. There are exceptions to this. For example, when a riff is so unique and becomes so widely known in the market it is considered protected under copyright law. Think Smoke On the Water. If I could make a suggestion to you: Learn how to write lyrics and melodies. There’s no limitations at that point. From a legal standpoint, only those who are authors on the copyright form have the rights to any given song. But from a creative viewpoint, you’ll tap into your best riffs and songs by knowing how to write melodies and lyrics.

[@Clarence2Worley]

They've played as a 3 piece before with Don on guitar when George was sick. Don can jam.

[@christhembones8244]

@@Clarence2Worley I did hear Don could play. I’m sure he’s pretty good and would like to see him. I just have a hard time envisioning him playing the leads like Lynch.

[@roymartin500]

Get off my lawn! Haha. No, he does have some valid points. Bloom, you barely had to say a word thats how good you are!

[@andyhayes7828]

George stated at a guitar clinic I was at in 2007 that he and Jeff were the main songwriters in Dokken. I hear all of those flatted 5th riffs and I know that Don didn't write them. George eluded to Jeff being an equal to him as a songwriter in Dokken. He said that Don did write, just not nearly as much as Jeff and himself.

[@RS-ol8or]

EXACTLY! I’ve always loved & tried to copy Lynch’s style my whole life & it’s obvious to those of us who can also play. George has had that signature style his whole life. But I guess that means Don must of wrote Wicked Sensation as well 😂

[@jayrusnak]

This fucking guy. He would have had no idea what Mick was doing because Mick, George, and Jeff were all writing at George's place---things like When Heaven Comes Down, Tooth and Nail, Unchain The Night, etc etc. Don was off writing his pop hits by himself. Sure he scored big with a few of them but acting like he wrote everything is just sheer delusion. Like you said, it's pretty clear when George writes a riff and there's demos out there for Unchain the Night and It's Not Love with Jeff singing on them because him and George wrote those tracks. And to hear Don talk about it, you'd think the only drug in the world was cocaine. "Oh I never did drugs, it was all those other guys". Don did a pile of drugs but they were all sedating ones like Quaaludes or Oxy while washing them down with buckets of booze. He's been to rehab more than once for it and even said so. (Of course he named names of other people he was in there with which is a dick move if there ever was one). I don't know why he's suddenly going scorched earth on these guys now after all this time but not only is it petty and malicious, but it's also a bunch of bullshit.

[@Actaruz]

Hahaha exactly!!! Don really thinks we’re all a bunch of idiots.

[@jnprather]

@@Actaruz Well, you guys seem to think that guitar riffs constitute songwriting, so maybe he's right.

[@jfrockon]

flatted 5th riffs ? lololol... Ever wrote a song man? changing a short "riff" does not make you a songwriter.

[@TommyG0709]

Don is embelishing a bit. I know for a fact that George's and Mick's houses in Phoenix weren't mansions and were no where near $700k back in the day. Just looking now, Zillow says George's house is worth $843k and Mick's is worth $666k. I used to hang out at Mick's often. Great guy! He wasn't doing coke at the time but I heard he did in the past. My drummer lived up the street from Mick and he used to come up and jam with us from time to time. I never got to jam with George. As a guitar player I would have been in HEAVEN. He was one of my idols. It was still nice knowing him. I thought George was a good guy too.

[@MichaelSkelton]

Maybe this guy can spare a little cash from that fortune he spent 5 minutes describing to buy some humility. Man, if I were in a band with this dude, might be driven to drink and do drugs too.

[@drew.reviews]

Can you imagine the heating costs on a 700K mansion? Don had it right. Live comfortably, but not frivolous.

[@evilervcowart6234]

Net Worth (as of 2023): Don Dokken ~ 6 million George Lynch ~ 5 million King Diamond ~ smokes both their asses with 20 million 😂

[@tomsawyer5736]

Preach it Don

[@Amp_Expert]

According to these Net Worth's online...Don is worth about $10M. Lynch and Pilson worth about $5M....but Mick who "never did shit" is suggests is worth $12M!!! So, there you go and Mick is worth more than Don!! (now let's watch his head explode)!! lol

[@perrytornado]

Don Dokken is the one who is professional and astute with his finances and lifestyle choice/

[@EliteSniper-ro9sy]

Its a known fact Don didnall kina coke too throat cancer from smoking yrmea great lifestyle choice

[@perrytornado]

@@EliteSniper-ro9sy That's life/ Bad habits have consequences/ You got to fight to live and pray constantly that you don't die in your sins/ Nevertheless, Don Dokken takes responsibility for his decisions and his health/ It's the way that you rock and the way that you roll/

[@myerkord]

Hey!!! I got good at singing the FULL IN BLOOM 😁 song 😄

[@jockmctodger]

Legend👍😂

[@Jake-st5mm]

There is nothing bad about Dokken. I'm glad history has played out the way it has. Dream warriors forever!

[@uncleroysmusic]

wow, he sounds really...superior. good for you man. keep telling us about your 17 acres in NM. That's awsum.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I have to admit This Don and the guys feuding is humorous and entertaining. If this is true, Money talks and bull shit walks. ha

[@timothyjohnson5304]

Son is just pissed that Mick has retired and is not returning anyone’s calls anymore. Mick was with him over 30 years.

[@PlayitagainVHS]

Boy , what you can learn from KZbin that you never knew before.👍🏻

[@thomascox9525]

George’s playing is the reason I started listening to Dokken. It wasn’t for Dons cheesy lyrics.

[@warriorv9359]

I still remember getting under lock n key in 85 badass

[@voxpathfinder15r]

I am in camp Don, 90% of the way of getting rich is not pissing your money away in the first place. It’s amazing how much you can make by just investing a reasonable amount of money. I suspect most wealthy people you come across, 5% Maybe 10% of the money they have was made by them. The other 90% is just investment growth.

[@CrueLoaf]

Rock n Roll in the 2000s! It’s all about the size of your … house!

[@billygonzales7675]

Don is the man

[@ddguitars1969]

Sounds like he is minimalising George lynched contribution... If do wrote the guitar solos, then how come he never reproduced the sound of back for the attack in forty years? In those days rock music was heavily reliant on the guitarist being amazing and George wrote those astonishing solos...

[@Barbarian646]

His Up from the ashes cd was very much like ULAK

[@POLLOTROM]

WOW!

[@bobl6139]

Interesting but I’d like to hear George’s version. I interviewed them and don refused to participate and the rest of the band ridiculed him for being a prima Donna. Coke definitely sucks especially for the odd man out but as is the case for most great bands they wouldn’t have made it without the original lineups. Watch 1987 dokken Philadelphia footage for proof,it’s called chemistry.same goes for vh,Crue,sabbath and a dozen others especially from the la scene

[@mattpatterson9128]

Those guys bitch and moan, but they couldn't manage their money. Whoohoo, wild rock star party life, well, now they blame Don, but Don had the sense to hold on to what he made. I like Don Dokken, i wish him well.

[@daneedwards2644]

I agree with Dokken on the investment portion of his comments. It's always good to invest and save money in life. I've recently discovered this The last 5 years myself and I'm doing much better in life because of it. The part I can't completely agree with is him running the part I can't completely agree with is him writing every song on the older albums of Dokken. The 1990 solo album proves it. That album sounds completely different from the original albums. I happen to like that album a lot but most Dokken fans don't seem to. Either way I'm glad that Don did well and invested right in life. This is something very few people accomplish.

[@mitchellschleede569]

I saw the Don Dokken lineup for the Up From the Ashes tour. He told the crowd he was sick because he was sober, and while he was on drugs he never got sick.

[@ScottAnd]

There is a big difference between a drug user and drug addict

[@RS-ol8or]

@@ScottAnd 🤣

[@jfo3000]

Hmm. On the Dokken video that i bought in the 80s, Don was laying in bed sick, saying he was always sick. It might be on youtube now.

[@ForeverMPH]

@@jfo3000 Yeah, I have that one, too. Don was lying around in his robe in the motel room. He seemed completely sober, though, while the other guys seemed to be bouncing off the walls. I read in a magazine years ago that Don got a lot of colds and sinus issues (and probably should have quit smoking).

[@jasontani2061]

Visualizing George choking Don in a limo after a Monsters of Rock show in the 80's still seems pretty easy.

[@StONed-yx5qq]

My first wife in the 80s and I formed a band…..at every paying gig…we immediately got half!!!! It was great!!

[@tonttaana8930]

Drummer and writing credits for one huge huge record that he made and probably to this day saved his life money wise!!. Steven adler and Appetite for destruction....everyone

[@Bernz66]

Funny….. it takes personalities in a band to make a “sound”…… that was really nice of Don to split everything equally…..

[@edguyrocks5865]

I believe this. These drummers like mick and blotzer didn't do squat and pissed away their moola. It's amazing.

[@scottydog62]

Well to be fair to Mick he was an awesome solid drummer and he had great backing vocals there's no doubt about it, a big reason why they sounded great live ,Don shouldnt down play Mick that he did shit ,Mick was big part of the great chemistry of that band. I'm sure there's stuff that Don is saying is true but man why is he so bitter? If he's doing well, just smile.

[@donaldbowenjr9230]

So he wrote the lyrics. The other 3 wrote pretty much all the music, which was Dokken's strength..

[@jeffreyfederico8435]

Not true,Don was a great guitarist. When Don wrote a song that included the music, arrangement and lyrics

[@Lordhumongus]

Yep. Don wrote the music and words for In My Dreams. Don usually wrote the melody, hook and lyrics to majority of the songs. Which is why there is always a similarity in many of their songs. Almost all their songs are about some kind of love/heartbreak.

[@jeffjones3040]

Brag all you want Don....It only appeals to people not worth appealing to.

[@TavaresProject]

Is the full interview out yet?

[@sportsmom165]

Don you had a great voice but the fact you had a generational guitar stud, certainly helped the band.

[@drumcrazycrary]

Don was very generous to the guys if what he saying is true!! I like how just speaks his mind & doesn't give a rats ass what people think. I would of love to be in Mick Browns shoes.. To bad he squandered most of his earnings. Having something to show for all your efforts when you get older is important ...It was the decade of decadance after all....Some musicians were more discipline & responsible than others!

[@spry_guy]

Will it ever end with these guys? It's like they're 12 year olds.

[@iceman2796]

Don for the most part is full of it. Watch old interviews with him and he would say he was wasted all the time. Maybe he wasn't all coked up but he was not sober by any means. Don thinks way too highly of himself and should learn some humility. George's playing and Jeff's all around talent were just as important as he was. Mick was probably the least important but that doesn't lower his value in any fashion. Don can have all the money he wants but he's old and fat and can barely get around. Blow your money while you're young and enjoy yourself. When you're old like most of us commenting you don't need as much other than something small, warm, and comfortable. Don is truly embarrassing himself at this point. He should try growing up at some time in his life. This is coming from a lifelong fan who has every album.

[@jayrusnak]

Makes you wonder why he's still out there doing shows if he's trumpeting how well off he is. He's obviously in pain, obviously has nothing left in the tank, hates the travel, and onstage looks like he'd rather be getting waterboarded in Gitmo Bay, as much fun as he's having.

[@arturoalmazan5262]

he's a washed up man that starts badmouthing his ex band mates. man I wouldn't pay a cent hearing his new crap. it sucks bad

[@iceman2796]

@@jayrusnak I saw Dokken in 2023 with Lynch Mob opening. I totally enjoyed the show. Don sounded really bad on some songs and decent to good on others. I've seen Dokken plenty of times I already knew that's how the show would be. The band sounded great. I just don't get what he's so angry about. I guess he just likes being one of those know it all so called LA celebrities. I think he's just bitter because he didn't get the accolades he feels he deserves.

[@RabanRobtheKnob]

Dude, are you crazy? He's clearly telling the truth here. He's not dragging anybody's name in the mud. The least grown up and naive members of Dokken were Jeff, Mick and especially George or "Mr. Scary" more like Mr. Tantrum! I would have ripped that guy a new asshole if I was in the same band as him! Everybody thinks he's this humble and good natured guy. The producer told a different story about him. Did you listen to it?

[@iceman2796]

@@RabanRobtheKnob I never said anything about George in my post, not sure why you're bringing him up? My comment was almost exclusively about all the very recent (key word recent) comments from Don. Everyone knows George is an ego maniac who tried to destroy Dokken on more than one occasion. George's history with lead singers (too many to count) shows all you need to know about him. Like I said before, I love Dokken!!! I have every album both studio and live. I even have a bootleg and Japanese imports. My comments would never be about the music. The truth IMO is that Don thinks too much of himself and is old and bitter. George plays like he's the nice guy but he's not. Behind the scenes it's Lynch's way or the highway. He doesn't play well with others and lets his insecurities crush bands. I do appreciate your comment. I hope this post explains my original post.

[@gun_toting_lefty]

If he has what he says he does, and it was a 4 way split, I BELIEVE IT. Dokken was making bank. They weren't making Ratt or Motley bank, so SOMEBODY was wasting money. Seems to me Don doesn't have to hustle like George or Jeff. I understand that Mick has retired, and good for him. I can't believe people don't learn lessons from others who have lost big in the music biz. Glad Don learned.

[@bobhalford]

I think what happened is that Don wrote a lot of big songs for the band and thought that he was the reason the band was successful. But George and Jeff also wrote some great stuff, so when Don wanted to renegotiate the contract where he got most of the money, George got pissed off and couldn't continue. But grunge would ruin an future Dokken so they probably would have broken up no matter what.

[@rfd73]

Right, the scene was over anyway

[@glenmccarthy8482]

That's Uncle Don.

[@NikkiStixx86]

wow I lived in Hermosa Beach

[@richieflenniken9974]

The Bragging King!!!

[@CarlosRamTx]

Interesting to hear Don going off again. I thought he had mellowed and moved on. He had been on tour with George last year. I know a reunion was probably not happening but this definitely sounds like it's over between all of them. Too bad.

[@scottwhite2757]

Wow..

[@dawg4135]

He doesn’t need five bedrooms but he needs a house in Beverly Hills, 17 Acres in New Mexico and a place in France 🤔 Make that make sense. I totally agree with the not buying ridiculous sh!t you don’t need. But he contradicted himself in the same sentence. Either way Dokken is still one of the best from that time and their music aged better than most of their peers.

[@cherrysunburst1959]

Not really. Real estate is a great investment especially in Cali.

[@bobbyrebeccataylor457]

Most people don’t know dokken management in 80s is who manages Metallica. And management told them things were normal clothes jeans and rock out they said no and no dokken for the videos get laughed at. I love dokken always have. Great band and great songs and don dokken is class act dude.

[@bobhalford]

How about you say "don't leave me so lonely" omg that's hilarious.

[@Cobra0710]

Mick Brown was SO BAD that Don had him playing the drums in his solo band until Mick retired. What a dope.

[@RFXLR]

When you look at all of their individual net worth, they're relatively the same, except for Mick's which is a bit higher than the rest of the band.

[@jeffjones3040]

Oh WOW! Don is RICH! I am soooo impressed! He is SOOOOO COOL! (sarcasm off) I get it. He was SMART! GOOD FOR HIM! Other people however...they play it the way they feel AT THE TIME. That is JUST HOW THEY ARE! Some people have to live for the NOW. Other people like Don can live for the FUTURE.

[@justinsixx90]

Ouch lol!!!

[@VirtousoForGod]

I love all the Dokken(original) guys but Don seemed to be the most fair and reasonable and gave the other 3 more than they earned although he did most of the work.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I don't think George is destitute, He made money from his deal with ESP and I am guessing he still has it and Jeff is very busy in the music biz. The drummer dude is probably the only one hurting.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

Mick's not hurting financially. He played for Ted Nugent longer than anyone ever did. His hands are hurting from drumming so hard for so long like many rock drummers probably do when they're a senior citizen

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

I am going to say it was Cliff Davies. By the looks of it, Mick did 2 tours with Ted. As an employee he was probably making 500 to 750 bucks per show. Ya just paying the bills with that. ha @@bobowrathsovine.

[@jayrusnak]

They all made bank on that last run in Japan if nothing else, so Mick's hanging out in AZ retired with a nice nest egg. Don even said at the time (nice guy that he is )that his main reason for doing it was for Mick just for that reason. The other guys are active and doing fine. And the publishing money keeps rolling in regardless.

[@gtdrummer6429]

@@jayrusnakmy guess is that the publishing money is a lot less than it used to be. Most people these days stream music instead of buying actual cd’s and the streaming companies like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.. pay next to nothing in royalties to the song writers. Unless an artist is massively popular and getting millions (or even billions) of streams, they’re not making much in royalties from streaming. It’s one of the main reasons why concert ticket prices have gotten so expensive. Artists don’t really make money (or at least not very much) from album sales/royalties anymore. The main way artists make money now is from performing live so ticket prices have skyrocketed! That’s probably why artists who should retire are still touring.

[@bobowrathsovine.]

@@gtdrummer6429 yet Mr Don Dokken claims how financially set he is compared to the other 3 but he keeps touring even though he can no longer sing and can barely even stand up unlike the others who even though they did so much drugs and alcohol and he didn't they appear to be a good 15 years younger than Don even though they are only 1 to 4 years his junior.

[@SwordBrethren1]

One of the greatest bands. Too bad they can't get along now.

[@marilynbarrett8134]

when was this recorded?

[@Blake9149]

If it's true that everything was split 4 ways, and that's what everyone signed off on then I don't think there would be any point of contention on the matter.

[@dawnpatrol700]

A lot of these band disputes suck, simply because a lot of the members were so busy partying, they didnt realize it wasnt gonna last forever. Their mentality was " today is ready cash, tomorrow,,,,who cares". If Don truly is like he's claiming, good for him, most rock stars squander everything and then blame each other when it all goes to hell. Either way, they should get the original band back together for a tour. Jeff Pilson is very active in music, i dont what Mick is doing, but one more tour with the og band

[@gilblanco.1300]

Oh, Don...lmao 😂

[@cody_sorensen5757]

Despite his mansions and money, I call him Done Dokken.

[@jayteesgear]

Sounds like Dons gettin BORED out there in Santa Fe 😂! He might not have done Coke but he Drank! I never hung out with him but I knew people down the street from me who did! He’s either bored or angry he had to sell his Bikes! (Trust me I sold off mine and im bored too)! I do happen to believe what he’s saying though. I live in AZ and the only time real estate was ever lucrative was a few years back in 2021. Much love Don. Love the new album.

[@scottstedeford7575]

In copyright law, you can copyright only lyrics and the melody that accompanies the lyrics. Nothing beyond lyrics and melody can be copyrighted. That includes guitar riffs, bass lines, signature drum parts, song arrangement, even the song title. So when Don says he “wrote” 90% of the album, he’s referring specifically to lyrics and melody. That is to say that no one other than the writer of the lyrics and melody is legally entitled to royalty payments. The other players typically get a check for their performance on the recording, like getting paid for playing a gig. That an owner of the copyrights, like Don, would include those who did not contribute to lyrics and melody is strictly an act of graciousness, as the others have no entitlement in the law to any writing credits or royalty payments.

[@richardstewart7324]

Don is the man!

[@arturoalmazan5262]

conman 😂😂

[@hazor777]

I’d say Jeff did pretty well for himself - on the outside looking in. A steady gig with Foreigner - and they’ve been very active over the last 10 yrs. The crazy thing is : years ago , it seemed like (according to the interviews w/George) that Don was the “problem” , but as time has moved on , it kinda seems like George is the one with personality issues …???? I don’t know - at the very least , you could say they should all be thankful they had their “time” - there’s untold numbers of people who tried to pursue the same dream , and never had 1/10th the success Doken had.

[@cemetarygates2800]

F'ing Don...................Always throw'n shade. Some things and some people never change.

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

Does Don do any interviews where he doesn't bash people? Damn bro people used to respect you.

[@rickd5997]

That is why you don’t do drugs and gamble Don was smart

[@perrytornado]

Yes, there's no sense in gambling if you've already got the income for decent standard of living/ Gambling is the last resort for desperate people who need to make real money anyway they can/ I think it's insane to do drugs when you got it made career-wise and financially with the commercial success of the Dokken albums in the '80s era/