George Lynch: signal interview

News:
22-02-2009:
George Lynch is interviewed by the signal:
Known for his blazing riffs, black-and-blonde hair and leading man good looks, Lynch quickly became a favorite of heavy metal magazines such as “Hit Parader” and “Cream” and some might argue, the star of the band. He and Dokken clashed almost immediately on a personal level, though Lynch acknowledged the singer’s determination and business acumen helped take them to a higher level of fame.

“Sometimes, someone may not be as talented musically, but is such a shameless self-promoter that they can really get the band’s name out there. In hindsight, I appreciate that. Because who cares how good you are if no one knows about you?” Lynch said.



Dokken’s second album, “Tooth and Nail,” was released in 1984, and went platinum on the strength of songs like “Just Got Lucky,” the power-ballad “Alone Again” and “Into the Fire.” The band decided to film a video for the latter while touring with Dio in Hawaii.

In addition to concert footage, they wanted to get pickup shots of Lynch’s guitar solo atop an active volcano. The result was something out of “Spinal Tap.”

“We were up there for so long that seismic activity developed. Everyone else had left the park, but we were so off the beaten path, we didn’t know,” Lynch said. “Steam started coming up, it was hard to breathe. Then my shoes broke through lava crust to the hot magma underneath. I could feel the heat and thought to myself, ‘Is this normal?’”

Lynch played on. As dusk came and the shoot was ending, rangers came to warn the group that needed to leave immediately. They were on the plane when the volcano blew — the camera crew spent an hour circling the eruption for extra footage.


Full interview

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