DOKKEN: All BOZOS On This Bus!

It’s election day in America, and I’m in Washington, D.C. Several miles away, Ronnie & Nancy are celebrating the fact that most Americans have decided to keep the eagle on the mountaintop. Meanwhile, I’m sitting in a cavernous arena watching a heavy metal band called Dokken open a show for Ronnie James Dio. The music is LOUD, Dokken have the moves and sound down pat, and the Washington headbangers are out in full force.

HEAVY METAL: 10, CRITICS: 0

Dokken are pretty good at what they play. To these ears, they sounded better than the headlining act, though it ain’t easy competing with Ronnie J’s lasers, sphinxes and good looks. In their own words, Dokken try to merge the “heavy with melodic elements,” and there is even some contention within the band about what constitutes the difference between “heavy metal” and “hard rock.” They don’t produce the kind of music I generally listen to during my off hours, but some of their stuff (“Breaking The Chains” in particular) made me think of Free and early Bad Company for some reason.

BLINDED BY

THE LIGHT?