LOS ANGELES — In a candid new interview, Don Dokken has opened up about the shifting tides of the heavy metal landscape in the late 1980s, specifically recalling how touring with Metallica during the 1988 "Monsters of Rock" stadium trek signaled the end of Dokken’s era of dominance.
Speaking with former Geffen A&R executive Tom Zutaut, the Dokken frontman didn't hold back when describing the intensity Metallica brought to the stage every night—even though they were technically the opening act.
"It's Hard to Play with Metallica"
The 1988 tour featured a powerhouse lineup including Van Halen, Scorpions, Metallica, Dokken, and Kingdom Come. At the time, Dokken was billed above Metallica, but according to Don, the musical climate was changing rapidly.
"They kicked our butts. It's hard to play with Metallica," Don admitted. "I remember on 'Monsters,' they were going on right before us... I told [our manager], 'It's kind of hard to go on stage and sing "In My Dreams" after Metallica's set.'"
Don noted that Metallica, then in the midst of mixing their technical masterpiece ...And Justice for All, performed with a "do or die" attitude that was impossible to ignore. "They crushed us," he added. "They were just in your face, over the top."
The Infamous "No Bass" Mix
Don also shared a humorous anecdote regarding Metallica’s then-new bassist, Jason Newsted. During the tour, Newsted reportedly visited Don's hotel room to play him a track from the upcoming ...And Justice for All album.
"He said, 'Just give me your opinion, as a producer. Do you think the bass is too low?'" Don recalled. "And I said, 'Honestly, I wouldn't know 'cause I can't hear any bass.' I didn't mean to be mean... but it was true." The lack of audible bass on that specific record remains one of the most debated production choices in metal history.
Internal Strife and the End of Dokken
While Metallica was ascending to superstardom, Dokken was unraveling from within. Don revealed that the pressure of the tour, combined with severe internal tensions and drug use, led to the band's eventual breakup.
Don described a "depressing" environment where he would look for guitarist George Lynch during a solo, only to find him missing from the stage because he was "standing behind his Marshall amplifiers doing coke."
Lynch has previously shared his side of the story, claiming that the management had informed the band just before the tour that Don intended to break up the group and keep the name for himself. Lynch admitted that this revelation left him "dispirted," leading him to turn to substances to cope during the tour.
Legacy of the Monsters
Despite the friction, the 1988 "Monsters of Rock" tour is remembered as a pivotal moment in rock history—the literal passing of the torch from the "hair metal" melody of the 80s to the thrash-fueled juggernaut that Metallica would become.
"Cliff [Burnstein, manager] saw it," Don said. "He said, 'These guys are gonna be huge.' Fast forward 10 years... now they're probably the biggest band in the world."
Dokken eventually reunited for various tours and a 2023 studio album, Heaven Comes Down, but for Don, the summer of '88 remains the moment the "machine gun" of thrash metal officially took over the stadium stage.
