Dokken tribute band

[lynch1]

Wanted some feedback here. I am thinking of starting a Dokken tribute band. Any thoughts? I know they weren't the most popular band of the 80s, but they were my favorite, I always like the underdog. Not sure how it would be received in the Altoona area though.

[moxham123]

I always liked Dokken and just got their greatest hits CD last week. Since they have a limited catalog of hits to do a full show, why not combine a tribute to them with another similar band (1/2 a show of each band) or do a Dokken set within a show with other songs. I remember when the band Down To The Wire used to do a Journey tribute set within their show and the rest was other cover songs.

[StumbleFingers]

If you love the music, that's reason enough to do it. You'd probably find opportunities to do gigs as an opener for the popular 80s cover bands and at benefits. Maybe even for nationals when they come through.

[lynch1]

Good idea. Next thing would be finding other musicians interested in doing the same. Adding to that my schedule is very limited

[tonefight]

It could work on a short term basis (a couple special shows)in the area but long term you would definatly have to travel. A select group will come check it out but I doubt there is a good market for it in the area.
Just my opinion, not meant to offend.

[lynch1]

No offense taken. I'm looking for input here. Good, bad, and/or ugly

[rockstar]

if you like that kind of music why not do a tribute to the 80s band and play all the music with dokken being the focus??

[bassist_25]

It could work on a short term basis (a couple special shows)in the area but long term you would definatly have to travel. A select group will come check it out but I doubt there is a good market for it in the area.
Just my opinion, not meant to offend.

+1

For the most part, tributes need to be of "iconic" bands in order to be successful. By iconic, I'm talking about Kiss, AC/DC, Van Halen, The Beatles, The Ramones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, Rush, etc. - in other words, bands and artists that have had very long, public careers with many albums, hit songs, a memorable image, and wide-market appeal. It's oftentimes desirable to diverge from the formula when it comes to music, not only for artistic purposes, but for commercial purposes as well. But tribute acts really require adhering to the formula. While there is a sense of theatre with tribute acts, they are mostly, for all intents and purposes, commercial rather than artistic endeavors.

There are really only four bands from the 80s hair metal scene that I could foresee having success as tributes: Poison, Motely Crue, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi (and didn't a Bon Jovi tribute get sued a few years ago? ) ...MAYBE Warrant, but that's a big maybe.

With that said, I wouldn't discourage you from doing your thing. Just keep in mind that a Dokken tribute would be a tough road to hoe - not only in terms of booking and gaining a fanbase, but also in recruiting players who would be willing to dedicate time and dues-paying to a project that on paper has a small chance of success.

[whitedevilone]

Dokken always escaped me.Yeah,yeah,yeah George is really good but a whole lotta boring and Don Dokken couldn't write a good song if his life depended on it.I mean come on, Dream Warriors might be the worst piece of dog shit to ever have grooves pressed into it.Don't waste your time.

[onegunguitar]

Dokken always escaped me.Yeah,yeah,yeah George is really good but a whole lotta boring and Don Dokken couldn't write a good song if his life depended on it.I mean come on, Dream Warriors might be the worst piece of dog shit to ever have grooves pressed into it.Don't waste your time.

Oh come on Scott.....you are always begging us to do a Dokken song in ND

[Dark Soul]

Normally when I hear about someone doing a tribute band, I say more power to ya. Do what you love if that's what makes you happy, but if it is your intention to make money with this, I wouldn't bother. I know Dokken has some hardcore fans out there but they are few and far between. And I'm sorry, not trying to insult anyone's taste, but I have to say it...the majority of their music kinda sucks in my opinion. A few decent songs and whole lotta bad ones. Dokken just wasn't popular enough to warrant doing a tribute band these days.

[Victor Synn]

There are really only four bands from the 80s hair metal scene that I could foresee having success as tributes: Poison, Motely Crue, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi (and didn't a Bon Jovi tribute get sued a few years ago? ) ...MAYBE Warrant, but that's a big maybe.

Guns N' Roses?

[lynch1]

I appreciate all of the input. I was just throwing it out there. I kinda had my doubts as well, knowing that the band was not one of the more popular of the era. all of you have made very good points. thanks

[bassist_25]

There are really only four bands from the 80s hair metal scene that I could foresee having success as tributes: Poison, Motely Crue, Def Leppard, and Bon Jovi (and didn't a Bon Jovi tribute get sued a few years ago? ) ...MAYBE Warrant, but that's a big maybe.

Guns N' Roses?

Perhaps. There were probably enough recognizable non-single tunes off of Appetite to have a large enough repertoire. You'd have to stick to the singles from the Use Your Illusion albums, though - too much unrecognizable filler as far as the album cuts go. Patience would probably be the only tune worth doing off of Lies. The material off of Spaghetti Incident and Chinese Democracy would be a waste of time as it would only be recognizable to the most hardcore GnR fan; although on second thoughts, you could probably still do a tune off of the former, since it was a covers album, and therefore, the original song would probably be recognizable (but I wouldn't burn up too much of a set playing covers of covers in a tribute).

I could definitely see it working if you stuck to shorter shows and sets. Finding the players that have the right chemistry and look would definitely be a challenge, though, especially if you did some of the more progressive stuff like November Rain and Estranged.