Dokken, Lynch Mob, and Lita Ford

In 1976, Don Dokken joined Greg Pecka and Steven R, Barry to form a band. They wasted no time in playing club shows around the Los Angeles area as “Airborn”, but soon changed their name to Dokken after another band had the name. After five years of hard graft, they finally signed to the label with Carrere Records. It was a brief relationship that led to the band being signed to Elektra Records and releasing the full-length debut “Breaking the Chains” on September 18th 1983. It achieved minor success in Europe and the US, but it wasn’t until their sophomore album “Tooth and Nail”, released on September 13th 1984, that they became a Platinum selling band, with the album peaking at number 49 in the Billboard 200.

“Under Lock and Key” released on November 9th 1985 made it to number 32 and was also certified Platinum, seeing the band’s status grow exponentially. “Back for the Attack” released on November 27th 1987 became the band’s highest selling album to date, making the top 20 of the US and Sweden. From the album, spawned the hit singles “Burning Like a Flame” and “Dream Warriors”. The band would later embark on the Monsters of Rock tour alongside Van Halen and Metallica. Various recordings from their April 1988 Japan tour culminated in the release of a live album called “Beast from the East”, which was released on November 16th 1988.

Unfortunately, the band went on a hiatus from 1989 to 1993, but saw the band make a comeback with Columbia Records, on May 23rd 1995, with “Dysfunctional”. The album went to number 47 in the Billboard 200 and number 146 with “Shadowlife”, released on April 15th 1997.

In September 2012, the band released “Broken Bones”, which peaked at number 173 in the Billboard 200.

Lita Ford joined a rock band called The Runaways in the mid to late 1970s as a lead guitarist and was partly responsible for the bands signature sound. Unfortunately, the band broke up in April 1979, and Ford decided to pursue a solo career.

Ford released her debut full-length studio album entitled “Out for Blood” but unfortunately didn’t chart, however her sophomore album, “Dancin’ on the Edge” managed to achieve a little success at least charting in the Top 100 of the UK and the US, and even a Grammy Award nomination.

It was Ford’s third album that secured her place in rock history, which was simply just called “Lita”. The album was released on February 2nd 1988 and featured a collaborative single with Ozzy Osbourne on the song “Close My Eyes Forever” thanks to Sharon Osbourne being her manager at the time. The album reached number 29 on the Billboard 200, whilst the single managed to reach number 8 on the Hot 100. “Kiss Me Deadly”, also from the album managed number 12 on the Hot 100. The album was later certified Platinum by the RIAA.

On May 15th 1990, Ford released the album “Stiletto” which was recorded in New York City. It featured the single “Hungry” which reached number 14 in the US Mainstream Rock Charts, and number 63 in the UK. The album managed to reach number 52 in the Billboard 200. Following this album came “Dangerous Curves” which was released on November 12th 1991. This album produced the single “Shot of Poison” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Female Rock Vocal Performance’ in 1993. Ford released a greatest hits compilation in 1992, which included some of her biggest singles to date and on Valentine’s Day in 1995; she released an album called “Black” which took her music in a completely different direction inviting influences from Blues and Grunge.

Ford didn’t release another album until “Wicked Wonderland” in October 2nd 2009. The album reached number 38 in the US Independent Chart.