Speaking on a recent episode of “The SDR Show,” George Lynch looked back on his earliest interactions with Don Dokken, dating back to a time well before Dokken rose to prominence in the metal scene.
Lynch recounted how his band, prior to the formation of Dokken, was active on the Los Angeles club circuit alongside groups such as Van Halen, and recalled first encountering Don while he was fronting his earlier project, Airborn.
“I remember we played a gig at the Starwood… and Don‘s band, Airborn, was up there on stage and they were playing what sounded exactly like one of our songs… called ‘Night Boys,’ and he was saying it was his song, so he plagiarized it. And we were, like, ‘What the [f**k]?'” Lynch said.
Lynch went on to claim that Don frequently lifted material from other bands during that period, at times borrowing songs outright or, as he put it, simply taking them.
“He also played a very deep track, a Judas Priest song, and announced to the audience it was his song… the balls on this guy are just crazy.”
Lynch also made a controversial comparison, saying: “I always say Don has the same exact personality traits and character as [Donald] Trump, except Trump‘s a better singer.”
When asked why his relationship with Don continues to draw interest more than forty years later, Lynch described it as a textbook example of complex human dynamics:
“It really comes down to our character and what’s important. I grew up a certain way. I believe a certain thing. He has a different belief system… The way he conducts himself has benefited me, my family, and given me a career, but it’s also something I abhor. I could not behave in that way. I could not steal and cheat and lie. So it’s a weird push-pull dynamic.”
Lynch also commented on Don’s recent comments about potentially bringing the classic Dokken lineup back together to write and record a new EP. While nothing concrete has been set in motion, Lynch indicated that he isn’t opposed to the idea and would be open to working together again.
“I still do shows somewhat frequently with Dokken… either Lynch Mob will open, and I come out for an extended encore, or I’ll fly out for a few songs. He hasn’t mentioned the EP to me… But if you’re gonna do an EP, you have to tour on it. Touring is where the work is and the money is. That would make it worthwhile.”
Earlier in November last year while speaking on the “Tone-Talk” podcast, Lynch was asked about the frontman’s history of dishonesty regarding songwriting credits and business dealings, rather than simply condemning his former bandmate, Lynch acknowledged that Don‘s manipulative nature was a double-edged sword that ultimately worked in the band’s favor during their formative years.
“I think people that are disingenuine [sic] and lie as part of their character, it’s just part of who they are, the fabric of their makeup,” Lynch said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “It’s cheating in a way, but it’s also — well, I’ve been the benefactor of his cheating due to his lying in a big way. We wouldn’t be sitting here doing this interview if it wasn’t for Don‘s lies.”
Lynch reflected on the Southern California scene of the late 70s and early 80s, where his band The Boyz (later Xciter) was competing with the likes of Van Halen. He credited Don‘s aggressive—and perhaps deceptive—hustle with getting them out of the clubs and onto the international stage.
“He lied about everything, but ultimately he’s such a great bulls**t artist that he made it happen,” Lynch admitted. “[That’s the] bottom line. I would’ve never been able to make [it happen], ’cause I’m not capable… I’m just saying I am not capable of doing that. And that’s maybe not a good thing as far as propelling your career. But he’s willing to go to places that I wasn’t willing to go and most people aren’t. And I think that’s the main reason why he’s successful. So it’s kind of a back-handed compliment.”
