DOKKEN Guitarist Discusses Possible Project With MICHAEL SCHENKER, DON DOKKEN

During a recent interview with "The Classic Metal Show", DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin revealed some of the details surrounding his rumored project with DOKKEN vocalist Don Dokken and legendary German axeman Michael Schenker. An excerpt from the chat follows below.

The Classic Metal Show: We've heard this rumor lately that after [the release of the new DOKKEN] record ["Broken Bones"] and [the touring cycle in support of the CD] that Don might put DOKKEN down and do something different. Would that piss you off if that were to happen?

Jon Levin: "That's a really good question. We were in Bulgaria three weeks ago or so — maybe a month at this point now — and I was really, really jetlagged. At six in the morning, I was sitting at a breakfast table with Herman Rarebell [former SCORPIONS drummer, who recently toured with Michael Schenker], and there was nobody else around. We were just talking. And then Michael [Schenker] came in. And, of course, I'm a huge, huge fan of Michael — he's actually an influence of mine; I think some of those influences are apparent on [the new DOKKEN album, 'Broken Bones'], too. He came up to me, and he said to me, 'We play an acoustical guitar tour together, you and me.' And I'm looking around like, 'Who are you talking to? Me?' He goes, 'Yeah, you and me playing the acoustic guitar together.' I was like, 'OK.' And, actually, Don was there, too, and [Michael] goes, 'And you [Don] will sing.' I actually didn't know that he was serious. I don't know if Don thought [Michael] was serious. But sure enough, I got a letter from [Michael's] lawyer a few days after I got home, saying, 'Michael is really excited about this. And 'Can you have Don start working on some music with him?' and so on and so forth. So we will see."

The Classic Metal Show: Is that something that you would want to do?

Jon Levin: "Oh, yeah, man. I mean, it's Don singing and myself and Michael playing guitar. That would be a dream for me, because he's one of my favorite players."

The Classic Metal Show: Would that not reduce what you do to being more of a rhythm player behind Michael?

Jon Levin: "None of that's been discussed, but I'm sure there will be some room for me to play as well."

To download the interview in its entirety, go to this location.

"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard live on Saturday nights from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. EST at www.theclassicmetalshow.com.

Interview (audio):

Frontiers Records has set a September 25 North American release date for "Broken Bones". The effort will be released in two configurations: standard CD and limited-edition CD in digipak with a bonus DVD, which features a comprehensive "Making Of The Album" documentary.

"Broken Bones" was produced by DOKKEN frontman and namesake Don Dokken and was mixed by Bob St. John (EXTREME, DURAN DURAN, COLLECTIVE SOUL) and Wyn Davis (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, WHITESNAKE) and mastered by famed engineer Maor Appelbaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, SEPULTURA). The new set features a return to the band's signature sound of catchy melodies, hot riffs and monster production.

Photo credit: Mike Savoia