The classic lineup of Dokken (Don Dokken, George Lynch, Jeff Pilson and ‘Wild’ Mick Brown) are getting ready to share the stage together for the first time in more than 20 years. They'll play six shows in Japan beginning Oct. 5 as part of the "Unleashed in the East" tour. They'll play one U.S. warmup show prior to that, on Sept. 30 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

In addition to classic Dokken songs, fans at the reunion shows may also be treated to a new track from the band. In an interview with Billboard, Don Dokken says they are in the process of writing a brand new song.

"George and I came up with a couple musical ideas and we sent it off to Mick, who wrote some lyrics," Dokken says. "I've got some lyrics. Jeff's home (from Foreigner) for a couple days this week and has a studio in his house. So we're gonna go to Jeff's and brainstorm and come up with a collaborative effort. We just thought it would be kind of cool to throw in a brand new song and make it interesting."

Those who were hoping for a full U.S. tour of the reunited lineup will be disappointed, with Dokken saying these shows will be the only ones they play.

"My manager is getting hit up every day for pretty large sums of money to play festivals next summer, all over the world. But I had to say no,” Dokken explains. "I love the band I have now; We've been together for 13 years, and I don't want to hurt that franchise. Plus if we were to continue with (the original) lineup, old wounds might be opened, and I don't want to revisit that. I don't think any of us wants to."

Dokken continues, "It's all great when a marriage fails and you say, 'I'm gonna get back with my ex' -- for a week, maybe. Six months into it, the wounds come back. I don't want to experience that. It's just not part of my life anymore, and I think the other guys feel the same way. So this will be enough."

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