DOKKEN

written by Don Dokken and Jeff Pilson

produced by Tom Werman and Roy Thomas Baker

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I’m making this page June 29th, 2021, the 68th birthday of Donald

Maynard Dokken, founder, lead vocalist, and of course namesake of

Dokken. Happy Birthday, DD!!

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All right, time for some glam metal, in the form of a power ballad. Don’s first band in the late ’70s was called Airborn, and the opportunity for a record deal came... from Germany. While there, he met and briefly worked with the Scorpions on some of their material. He got his recording deal with Elektra Records, and formed Dokken together with bassist Juan Croucier, guitarist George Lynch and drummer Mick Brown. Four singles were released from Dokken’s debut album, Breaking The Chains, including the title track, the only single to chart.

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Album two, 1984’s Tooth And Nail, was the record to include this song, “Alone Again.” It matched the highest chart position of any other Dokken single released, at #20. ’87 single “Burning Like A Flame” tied “Alone Again” for that Dokken spot. The band’s last and most recent studio album—as of this writing—is Broken Bones, from 2012, though they’ve also since released a live album and a compilation of rarities. Don had previously left the band in the late ’80s when some differences arose between him and George Lynch. There was a reunion around 1993-94, then another parting of the ways, and Don recruited guitarist Jon Levin and bassist Sean McNabb to carry on with the band, as George and Juan found themselves... you guessed it, “Alone Again.”

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Never did locate what I believe would be the accurate single cover art.

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Have notes to add? Let me know!

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YT:

full version

music video

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Dokken’s official website