George Lynch recently addressed Don Dokken’s admission of responsibility for their failed reunion tour. He shared his perspective on their current relationship and potential future collaborations in an interview with The SDR Show.
When asked about Don Dokken’s recent confession and claims about working on an EP together, Lynch provided insight into their ongoing professional relationship.
“No, no. Well, you know, I still do shows, somewhat frequently with Dokken, and what that means is I either play with them or be the opening act, and then I hang around and come out and do an encore segment with them,” Lynch said. “Or I’ll fly out, if it makes sense, and I’ll just do a lot of three songs, three or four songs at the end of the night, which is fine and I love doing it, and it’s, you know, it works for everybody.”
Lynch emphasized that their current arrangement maintains a positive dynamic between the former bandmates.
“It’s a cool thing. And it keeps the relationship open, and Don lives about two hours away from me, so we’re kind of in the same state, and we stay in touch,” he continued.
Lynch expressed skepticism about the project’s viability without touring commitments regarding the potential EP collaboration.
“And, you know, he hasn’t mentioned any of this stuff about an EP or anything like that, but if he were to, and Don, if you’re listening, really, there’s no point in doing an EP unless you’re going to tour on it,” Lynch explained. “That’s where the work is and the money is, and I don’t think you tour on an EP, but you have to have a commitment to tour to justify doing an EP.”
Lynch also acknowledged the difficulties surrounding their failed reunion tour. He defended Dokken’s circumstances at the time.
“There was some issues with that reunion tour, very grave issues. But I will say on Don’s defense that he was going through some really heavy personal stuff that all happened right there, right in the middle of the tour,” he said. “And yeah, it was, you know, it was just a sad situation.”
Lynch’s comments come at a time when both musicians continue to navigate their complex professional relationship. They maintain separate musical endeavors.
The ongoing collaboration between Lynch and Dokken reflects a broader trend in the metal community where former bandmates find ways to work together despite past conflicts. Metal Injection reported that recent performances have included a powerhouse set from Dokken, who have reunited with legendary guitarist George Lynch, alongside Warrant, L.A. Guns, and Bruce Kulick.
However, Lynch has been clear about the limitations of their current arrangement. Rock 101 FM noted that Lynch stated a package tour with Dokken and his band Lynch Mob “has run its course.” This suggests that while individual collaborations continue, larger-scale touring ventures may not be feasible.
The influence of Lynch’s guitar work extends beyond his relationship with Dokken. It continues to impact the broader metal community. Guitar World revealed that Warrant’s Joey Allen has credited producers who worked with Lynch. This highlights the lasting impact of Lynch’s contributions to the genre through his work with various artists and producers.
Lynch’s guitar style has remained a defining element of the metal scene. Many musicians cite him as an influence. Outsider Rock indicated that guitarists continue to reference Lynch alongside legends like Yngwie Malmsteen and Uli Jon Roth as foundational influences in heavy metal guitar playing.
