Dokken’s Classic-Era Reunion Hinges on Jeff Pilson’s Schedule With Foreigner

Bassist Jeff Pilson says a classic-era Dokken reunion could still happen ... if the timing is right. It would have to sync up with his ongoing schedule as a member of Foreigner. Apparently it's one of the few things holding the members back after years of estrangement.

We're actually working really hard to try and pull something together right now," Pilson said on the One on One With Mitch Lafon podcast. "It has to fall in spaces where there is time off [with Foreigner], so I don't know for sure whether it's gonna happen. So, let's just say we're all friendly now, we're all past all the decades-old crap, and we all talk and everything's great. Now, it really is just down to scheduling and trying to figure it out. Because, you know, you've gotta do it right, if you're gonna do it. We all feel that way."

Talks of a Dokken reunion have been on again, and then off again, for some time now – principally because of lingering issues between Don Dokken and George Lynch. (Guitarist Lynch had two stints in the group, ending in 1989 and 1997, while Pilson was in Dokken twice, beginning in 1989 and 2001.)

"I think we've all come to a place where we're very appreciative of the legacy that Dokken has, and we would never wanna just do something for the money and take advantage," Pilson said. "'Cause we get offered a lot of things quite often, and if we wanted to do it that way, we could. But the fact that we don't, I think, is a great sign. I think when we do finally do something, we're gonna try and do it right. Although I don't know if we're gonna ever get to do the big sweeping tour that we've talked about — mostly because of the Foreigner commitment — but we're gonna try and do something. So hopefully I'll have something to report sometime soon."

Fellow classic-era member Mick Brown is still in Dokken's eponymous group, along with newer additions Jon Levin and Mark Boals. Dokken, Brown, Lynch and Pilson reunited for a two-song encore at a 2009 concert, performing "When Heaven Comes Down" and "In My Dreams."

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