Interview with Jeff Pilson:
June 2000

Q1) Jeff, you have played in Dokken since 1983 and have also played with such big hitters as Dio and MSG. What did you do before Dokken?

A1) I was in a band with Mike Varney [Shrapnel records] called Cinema. We did a rock opera for EMI called Rock Justice. Then I was playing with a guitarist by the name of Randy Hansen doing our original songs. I also had a progressive band with the keyboardist of Cairo [Mark Robertson] called Christmas. Then right before Dokken I was in a cover band with Paul Taylor [Winger] called ESP. Lots of fun.

Q2) I don't think I would be alone in saying that you are an extremely talented musician. Besides Bass, Guitar and Keyboards (and sing), what other instruments have you mastered over the years?

A2) I was a string bass major in school, but haven't picked one up in years. Also played cello when I was younger.

Q3) What kind of musical training did you have growing up? Did you learn a lot by ear, were you classically trained, etc...?

A3) Mostly playing along with great records, Beatles, Zep, Yes, etc. I did study, but think most of my learning came from the records. It's nice to know theory, but you have to learn how to groove and play with other people.

Q4) Dokken's music and popularity (at least here in the USA) certainly grew when Tooth and Nail was released. You seemed to be the key factor in the writing of all of those songs. So one could say that you had a lot to do with Dokken's success. Without blowing your own whistle too much, do you think Dokken would have been as successful without you in the band? Do you think they would be touring in the year 2000?

A4) I think Dokken would have been just as successful, but a different band. I mean George was great long before I came along, and they're all talented songwriters as well, but the sound may have been a bit different- actually without any one of us it'd be different. I may have helped keep the band together as long as it has, though.

Q5) You have a new live CD out now, "Live: From the Sun". Did you think that a live release would show people that Reb can shred as good (if not better) than George, on your classics? Did it seem like just a good idea? Or were the shows recorded and due to the great performances, you felt like you had to release them?

A5) That was the exact thinking which led to the live cd, but we actually didn't record a thing before we did the record. Pretty ballsy, but we were confident.

Q6) (This is kind of a question just for my knowledge) Every year I saw you guys play, everyone would be yelling for you to play "Paris is Burning". One year, someone even thew a banner up on stage that said "Pittsburgh is Burning". Still, I have never heard you play that song until last August. Why did it seem like you were avoiding the song for so long? Was it just dumb luck of missing the song in its rotation in the set list? If not, why bring it back now?

A6) We may have gotten a little tired of it, but it seemed appropriate to bring it back when we did. I don't think it was actually all that long, though, where it was in semi-retirement. Might have been a bit of "dumb luck"!

Q7) Along the lines of set lists, I love that you guys stay faithful to your popular live hits such as "Kiss of Death" and "Tooth and Nail". (Not being big radio hits). Do you alter your set lists much with songs you haven't played live too much? (Like "The Maze", which disappeared recently, "Burning Like a Flame" or have you ever messed with playing "Back for the Attack" live?)

A7) We try and change the set list as much as we can get away with, but there are just so many songs we can't avoid, it wouldn't be fair to so many fans. We are thinking of doing Dream Warriors this summer for the first time in 12 years. Never have done "Back for the Attack".

Q8) Is the future of Dokken looking brighter now that Reb is in the band? He seems to have added a spark. It's kind of hard to tell with you, being so energetic, but Don seems to have received new life.

A8) I think you're right. It's not just Reb, although he's certainly a big part. But to have us all going in pretty much the same direction- that's very liberating for all of us.

Q9) This latest tour you are on, with Poison, Slaughter and Cinderella would seem to draw a pretty decent crowd. The more shows like this I attend, the more I notice a greater number of younger people attending them. Do you think these kids are looking for something different to listen to, or are they just a product of having 80's parents?

A9) Definetly looking to check out a new scene. They want to be entertained like anyone else. And this music is way more exciting and FUN than so much they hear. It'll be interesting to see where music goes- I bet this all has an effect.

Q10) Finally Jeff, where do you see yourself 10 years from now? You don't seem any where close to retiring. Maybe producing or studio projects?

A10) I'd like to still be recording my songs, somehow. I'd like it if we had a bit of an empire going, producing, writing, working with films, etc. There's a lot of talent in this band, and now that we're all focussed together, we intend to use it!

Thanks a lot for your time Jeff. Can't wait to see you guys this summer on the (what I have dubbed) "Monsters of Rock 2000 tour".

Thanx Mike, we'll talk soon.

You can e-mail Jeff at: jeff@jeffpilson.com
Visit Jeff's web site at: www.jeffpilson.com
And the Dokken Web Site: www.dokken.net