Don Dokken’s right arm is still paralyzed rendering him unable to play guitar
Photo by Joe Schaeffer Photography
Don Dokken’s right arm is still paralyzed rendering him unable to play guitar
Dokken founder and frontman Don Dokken was recently interviewed by Mitch Lafon along with co-host Alan Niven for the Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon podcast.
Photo by Joe Schaeffer Photography
Back in February 2020, Don Dokken has revealed that he had undergone a spine surgery 2.5 months ago that left his hands paralyzed. Shortly after, the Dokken frontman issued a statement advising that he expected to fully recover from his partial right hand / arm paralysis.
On that topic, Don Dokken advised Lafon and Niven: (as transcribed by the Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon) “I can’t play, so when you can’t play guitar it’s kind of hard to compose a song… it’s been seven months and my right arm is still paralyzed.”
Dokken recently announced some new shows with Lynch Mob as a special guest on July 17th in Roanoke, Virginia, USA and July 18th in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA with a special encore performance with Don Dokken and George Lynch. Of note, former Dokken guitarist Reb Beach is filling on guitar instead of Jon Levin. Beach played in Dokken from 1998 to 2001 and on the album Erase The Slate.
On Beach returning to the Dokken line-up, Don Dokken indicated: “Jon Levin is not playing the shows with us (it’s Reb Beach) because Jon has a 90 year old father and he’s the primary caregiver and he said ‘I don’t feel comfortable getting on a plane’. So, I have to respect his decision.”
You can listen to the interview with Don Dokken by Mitch Lafon with co-host Alan Niven for the Rock Talk with Mitch Lafon podcast: