Excerpt from this month's Sunday Old School:

In 1978 the band Dokken formed, it was soon after the band was composed of Don Dokken (vocals), George Lynch (guitar), Juan Croucier (bass), and Mick Brown (drums). They were wide-eyed and ready to rock, still there was no way anyone could predict a Grammy nomination, die-hard fans, and the Ultimate Warrior style armbands.

Their first album, Breaking The Chains, struggled on the charts and the band was nearly dropped by their label. Shortly after, Juan Croucier left in 1983 (to join Ratt) and was replaced by Jeff Pilson. In 1984 Dokken released the album Tooth and Nail. The album was a success, riding singles that included “Alone Again” and “Into The Fire” that were accompanied by epic videos.
Snow is falling, fire is in the background, and the band is wearing T-shirts with sleeves cut off. This is Dokken’s video for “Into The Fire”, a meteorologist’s worst nightmare. Twice I believe I see the string holding the helicopter that is circling over the heads of the band and also important to note: there is a fair amount of jumping over barbed wire in this video. If you have a phobia, proceed with caution. The video for “Alone Again” starts in black and white, panning past a creepy MOTEL looking neon signs. What is he doing there? Is this life on the road? Why is The Dukes of Hazard on the television? Lot’s of questions. Then Don Dokken splashes water on his face and then looks in a mirror. I believe this is the moment he decides that a future album will need to feature a song for Freddy Krueger. Back to the room. Don Dokken is lonely, maybe high (again, Dukes of Hazard); either way there doesn’t seem to be a lot of advice on how to beat being alone, more of a confession: I am alone, again.

Read the full column at MetalUnderground.com HERE

David S. Grant is the author of several books.  His latest, BLOOD: The New Red will be available 11-11-11.  For more information go to http://www.davidsgrant.com.  Follow David on Twitter .david_s_grant