Featured Artist Partner: Don Dokken Keeps Rockin' With Fallen Blue

Last Updated on 23.12.11 Written by John Guarnieri

Fallen Blue has had some incredible artists step forward and lead a tremendous charge of charity. Don Dokken has gone above and beyond his call of duty, and offered anything he can to our cause, to include future concerts. We recently took some time to ask some questions of Don, to include everything from the future of Dokkento his interactions with local police.

1. Your latest release, 'Solitary' had a different tone, when compared to previous Dokken albums; What was your mind set going into that album?

I had always wanted to do a laid back album. I call it music for bikers over 40, LOL. I was in a dark place about what the future would hold, the boys in Dokken always called me a crooner, so I decided to basically put my poetry to music, as its a peaceful, meloncoly album. Some people will get it, and some won't. Its for chillin!
 
2. What does it mean to the Dokken sound to still have 'Wild' Mick Brown behind the drums?

Mick has been playing with Ted Nugent for several years when were not on tour, so we had to bring in other drummers when he couldn't play with us. They were great but nobody has the feel of 'Wild' Mick Brown. He is truly an amazing and underated drummer; his feel is very close to John Bonham, and he is a great singer and song writer as well
 
3. Your work with Ronnie James Dio's 'Hear N' Aid' was incredible. What memories do you have of the late-great Dio?

He was a gentle man. Our first arena tour was with Ronnie on the Last In Line tour, and he took great care of us. I miss him very much, as he was a huge influence in my career.
 
4. What will the year 2012 mean for the band? What is the status of new Dokken work?

We are working on a new album. 10 songs down and 3 to go. It should be out early summer before we hit the European festivals. It sounds like Dokken but not a repeat of what i've done in the past
 
5. What ever happened to your attire from the album cover of 'Under Lock And Key'?

I gave it to the salvation army. Honest! Someday I suspect I'll see a homeless person in spandex.
 
 
6. Do you have any stories involving police you would like to share?

I've been pulled over a few times for speeding, sometimes they let me go when they recognize my name after a good scolding. Once i was going over 90, 'shame on me', he was on a bike and it took him a while to catch up with me, I thought i was going to jail, but he let me slide after seeing my other license that I could drive Nascars, but still it was no excuse! It was 3am and an open highway, it was too tempting to not to go peddle to the metal. My bad!

Twice in my career, a crazy fan started shooting off a gun during our concert. He shot his girl friend and ran out the back stage door still shooting over his shoulder. The police gave chase and caught him. If I was them I would have beat the hell out of him, but they used an incredible amount of restraint, and it gave me a whole new respect for police as they could have been killed. You have to be a very special human being to be a police man or woman. People sometimes complain about the police until there life is in jeapordy as they protect yours. It can be a thank less job, and I respect them very much.
 
7. 'One Live Night' is phenomenal. Any chance we will get a Don Dokken acoustic live dvd in the near future?

Yes, I am planning to do an acoustic show sometime during 2012 with special guests, basically with other famous musicians
 
8. What is the story behind "Into The Fire"?

I was sitting in front of my fire place burning pictures of an ex-girlfriend that cheated on me, and it inspired me to write the song
 
9. Why do you think the media continues to spread rumors in regards to the "classic" reunion line-up of Dokken?

I don't know! We tried to make it happen but after a few hours spent with George, I realized it would be impossible. Our personalities just don't mix. It has been that way from the first day we got together. He's a great guitarist, but you need to get along when you spend 24 hours a day together, which is something even after all these years that we haven't come to terms with. I would love to do a reunion, but its not in the cards.
 
10. We are fortunate for your involvement with Fallen Blue; what would you like to say to the families of police officers?

God bless them, as it has to be hard not knowing if your loved ones will come home every day unharmed. To be a police officer you have to be tough, on guard, and yet have compassion; like they say, its a thin blue line. A person that is willing to put his life on that line every day is a hero, and we the public should always remember that!

For more information on the Don and the rest of Dokken, check out: www.dokkencentral.com.