Former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson recently opened up about the band’s 2016 reunion tour. He shared candid thoughts about the experience in an interview with Different Stages Radio.
Pilson reflected on the fall 2016 Japanese tour that brought together the classic Dokken lineup of himself, Don Dokken, George Lynch, and Mick Brown for what would likely be their final performance together.
“That turned out to be actually a very fun tour. We weren’t very good, to be honest with you. There was a lot of things that were not great about that tour musically, but at least we got along,” Pilson said.
The bassist emphasized that the positive atmosphere among the band members made the experience worthwhile despite the musical shortcomings.
“And the funny thing is I would rather suck and get along. [Laughs] I mean, not for the fans’ sake, and, of course I hate sucking — I really do. But the fact that we had a good time together, all four of us… I mean, that’s probably the last time all four of us will ever tour together,” he continued.
Pilson concluded with mixed feelings about the tour’s legacy. He acknowledged both its flaws and its significance.
“So I’m glad it ended like that, even though I’m not as proud of what we achieved musically on that tour. Although if you look back, we were playing, we were pumping it along there. There was something there. Obviously, we know what was wrong, and it’s sad that that was the case,” he said.
The 2016 Japanese tour marked a significant moment in Dokken’s history. It represented the first time the classic lineup had performed together in years despite their well-documented tensions.
Setlist.fm documented that the tour kicked off at Namba Hatch in Osaka on October 5, 2016. The band opened with “Without Warning” and “Tooth and Nail” before diving into classic tracks like “The Hunter” and “Unchain the Night.” The performances showcased the band’s enduring catalog of hits that defined the 1980s metal scene.
The tour continued across Japan with shows in Tokyo and Hiroshima. Concert records showed consistent setlists featuring fan favorites including “Kiss of Death,” “Just Got Lucky,” and “Will the Sun Rise.” These performances demonstrated the band’s commitment to delivering their most beloved material despite the internal challenges Pilson alluded to.
The reunion tour’s legacy was preserved when Frontiers Records released “Return To The East Live 2016,” a live album capturing the performances and featuring tracks like “Kiss of Death” and “Breakin’ The Chains.” This release serves as a document of what Pilson described as both a musically imperfect but emotionally significant chapter in the band’s history.
The Japanese tour represented more than just a series of concerts. It was a final opportunity for the classic Dokken lineup to share the stage and reconnect as musicians and friends, despite the creative differences that had previously driven them apart.
