George Lynch: Don Dokken Embodies Everything I Hate About the Business

By: Rob Cavuoto

George Lynch, lead guitarist for Dokken and leader of his own dual rock bands, Lynch Mob and Souls of We, has announced plans to release his eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years. Kill All Control is set for release this summer through Rocket Science, Inc.

As I was interviewing George Lynch about this release (the full interview will be published shortly), Don Dokken had posted an update about the much anticipated and failed Dokken reunion. At the time of my interview with George, he had not read what Don had posted but offered the following about him and the reunion.

George Lynch

George Lynch Photo: Rob Cavuoto

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Rob Cavuoto: I’m not sure if you saw what Don had just posted about he failed reunion. Do you ever get tired of comments?

George Lynch: I haven’t seen his post, but yeah, that’s why there isn’t going to be a Dokken reunion. As important as it is for closure and for the fans, to put a happy cap on the ending of the story, it’s still outweighed by shamelessness of this character. He embodies everything I hate about this business. I have no respect for him and he can’t be trusted. It’s all about him.

He was always the least creative person, but made himself important by tricking people businesswise. Lying in the press, saying he wrote everything. He’s been playing smoke and mirrors his whole career. I think that’s disgusting in any business, not just in the music business. I have to ask myself, “Do I want to play with someone like that?”

Rob: I really thought the reunion was going to happen when you went on Eddie Trunk’s That Metal Show. I assumed, as most fans, that this was a done deal.

George Lynch: I feel like a fool because I got played again for the last fucking time! Like an idiot I went along with it but looking back I see what he was really doing. He was blowing wind in his sails by creating the impression that there was a reunion pending. That people were going to wake up and pay attention, that his guarantees were going to go up, and people are going to show up to his shows thinking I’m in the band.

If we did reunite we would all be working for him. He’s a miserable guy and he will stay miserable in his own skin. I wouldn’t want to have 100 million dollars and live in that guy’s brain and skin. He is just a piece of shit.

Rob: Don says that with Dysfunctional, “Even though George is credited as the guitarist he did not write any of the songs, the body of the work was written by Jeff, Mick, and myself (Don). George came in after it was finished and did the solos.” Is that true?

George Lynch: That’s a complete lie. He is a pathological liar and you have to remember that.

Rob: I’m not sure Don has a lot of credibility these days and think most fans realize that.

George Lynch: When the band was intact, he had to maintain a certain level of professionalism. He had to maintain his voice, his behavior and what he said. He didn’t like that. He is a very lazy person. He doesn’t have a good work ethic and he surrounds himself with himself. He will never be happy. What he will never get, and I told him, it’s not about the money and success, though you want people to hear the music.

It’s about giving the fans something they would like and enjoy. It’s not about you, we are just the conduits. It comes through us but it’s not about us. He doesn’t get it. When musicians start to take themselves too seriously that’s when it gets ugly in believing all the hype. My heroes are blue collar people that work for a living. Not assholes like him who take credit for shit they don’t do and expect everything handed to them on a silver platter. Have some respect for the people who are paying your bills.

10 Comments

  1. THE RODS ARE BACK! GEORGE LYNCH SAY DON DOKKEN IS “A PIECE OF SHIT.” « Heavy Metal Messenger (12 years ago)

    […] Cavuoto of Guitar International has just conducted an interview with legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH […]

  2. THE RODS ARE BACK! GEORGE LYNCH SAY DON DOKKEN IS “A PIECE OF SHIT.” | Heavy Metal Messenger (12 years ago)

    […] Cavuoto of Guitar International has just conducted an interview with legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, SOULS […]

  3. Michael Fath (12 years ago)

    I have always really dug George’s playing, and especially his personality and character. I like him even more so, today!

  4. Michael Trujillo (12 years ago)

    I had the pleasure of sitting next to George during the taping of TMS in LA a few months back and though I have heard arguments and accusations from both side of this feud, I can tell you he was the nicest most humble dude and when I told him that I speak for the metal community when I say that he was the band, instead of talking shit Don he sincerely thanked me and at the same time defended Dokken….a true class act!

  5. No Dokken Reunion, but plenty of renewed animosity (12 years ago)

    […] George Lynch- “Don Dokken embodies everything I hate about the business via  Rob Cavuoto Guit… […]

  6. GeorgeLynchLover (12 years ago)

    George, you are the best! You keep on rockin’ and we will be here for you. No matter what style you decide to next, I am always with ya! Devote fan for life…Holly, Capron, Illinois.

  7. Familyghost2008 (12 years ago)

    George is the best.Leaving Dokken is one of the best moves he ever made.

    • Faith (10 years ago)

      BULLSHIT!!! George Lynch and DON DOKKEN are my hero’s and it kills to know that both these motherfuckers hate eachother! Or George hates Don. Whatever it may be. DOKKEN is one of the best bands ever and I wish they would reunite! My favorite guitarist and my favorite vocalist. Who gives a fuck who wrote the damn songs! The fact that they brought the sungs into this world together is what counts!

    • Faith (10 years ago)

      BULL! DOKKEN is my favorite band! George Lynch is my favorite guitar player and Don Dokken is my favorite vocalist! They’re my HERO’S! It kills to know that these two clowns hate one another so much or George hates Don, whatever way it may be and that they can’t get along after all this time! Who cares which of them had enough brains to write the songs. The fact that they brought the songs out to the world together is what counts!

  8. Och året var 1987… - Nöjesbloggen - hd.se (11 years ago)

    […] Sen hade jag förträngt hur inihelvete dåligt Don Dokken sjöng. En åsikt som jag för övrigt delar med bandets dåvarande gitarrist George Lynch. […]