George Lynch Fires New Singer After TWO Shows!  

I remember back when Dokken was still huge,The 80s were over, Grunge was in and Dokken like many bands were forced to play smaller lessor venues. After the show I waited outside for three hours in the lot for them to get on their bus. It was a small venue so no one else was out there. When they came out I didnt want to harrass I just wanted a signature on my guitar. I know they were tired, probably tipped a few too. The only two guys that gave me the time of day was Lynch and Pilson. They talked with me a couple minutes, Signed my gear and I was a happy camper. Don and Mick just ignored me and kept walking. I mean how do you be so rude to the one person in an empty lot just asking for a quick signature? Whatever. I will always respect George and Jeff.

Brutal. I front a STP tribute. It took me 2 months to fully memorize the delivery and lyrics for 15 songs only. Many hours on the treadmill listening to the songs and watching streaming lyrics on RU-vid. Then recording myself. Listening back for clams. Adjusting. It’s not easy.

You're making a great point about bands these days. They get paid so little and so they want to keep the expenses down as much as possible, which includes not having rehearsals, and other things that help the band perform their best. I wish there was still more money in the music business, but there's just not!

When people talk about American guitarist George is rarely spoken about, and that's the sad part of it. I've been playing for 30 years and Mr. Lynch is absolutely amazing, his tone, rhythm, his leads are all world class, and yet he is often overlooked

I saw George in Queens in a small club a few years ago. He absolutely killed it. Tone was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I saw George in a small club between singers he played instrumental versions of songs and it kicked ass

My story: In the year 2000 I was a special guest of Jeff Pilson on the 'Power To The People' tour with Dokken, Poison, Cinderella and Slaughter. I meet Jeff at the Tampa Aquarium and then we go into the Ice Palace Arena, we get to Dokken's dressing room and Jeff says to Don, "this is my friend who flew in from Chile to see us" And Don asked everyone to leave the dressing room because he wanted to talk quietly with me, we chatted, we drank some Jack Daniels with Coke, he gave me the new autographed album and we took photos together with my Chilean flag. Don treated me like royalty as did Jeff and Wild Mick!! Forever respect! PD: On another occasion I met George Lynch here in Chile on a radio show and he was also totally nice and great with me!

Love Ray West. Spread Eagle kicks ass!!!!

Great video Richard 😀🤘🎵🔥🔥🔥🔥

I saw Ray a week ago in NYC and he sounded great fronting Spread Eagle.

Practice aside, I've been a pro musician for 30 years. You come in knowing your shit forward and back. As a singer I can plug into any band that knows the songs and sing them right. As long as the arrangement is the exact same and there are no unexpected parts then its not hard. He needed to memorize the shit and have it down pat.

Ray West was in one of my favorite rock bands from the early 90’s…Spread Eagle. Check’em out when you get a chance. Scratch Like A Cat, Through These Eyes…those are just two of many great songs they released. Their second album was just as kick ass as their first!

I have known George for years and I am pretty sure he went into it hoping for the best. Your point is valid and they (meaning bands) don't have the support of back in the day. Someone said Quantity vs Quality the other day and that is the truth. You should always aim for quality over quantity so maybe not so many shows so you can focus on tuning the project. No one is at fault at the end of the day life happens.

Oni should be back and for good

Is this the same Ray as the Ray West in Spread Eagle back in 1990 with songs like Broken City, Switchblade Serenade etc?

As a singer in a coverband sins 1995, i would NEVER do a gig without some rehearsals. Just a fukin recipe for disaster.

Totally makes sense man. Sounds like a hectic time for these guys. I can't imagine.

Off topic, but where did you get that hardtail george lynch "submarine" orange guitar in the background? That's sick!

Lynch isn't the easiest guy to get along with

Saw a GLATEF show here in Dallas last May, and Nathan Utz brought the pipes. Great visuals, and great voice, and great energy.

Yes I was in Saginaw Michigan the club is called the vault but it's very good show all the opening bands were great as a musician

Robert Mason was also in Lynch Mob before he was in Warrant so it’s no surprise that George Lynch would do that LOL

It’s no secret that most singers’ voices deteriorate from years of use and abuse. Ray was a dynamic singer in his prime and although I don’t know how much he’s been using his voice over the years, odds are he can’t sing Back On the Bitch like like he did back in the day.

The band he had with Corey Glover from Living Colour is amazing.

A buddy of mine saw George in Little Rock, Ar back n mid 90's when he was in his bodybuilding stage.

Excellent perspective . I think you nailed it

The singer makes the show i don't care if its George, or anybody else on guitar

I seen the first show with Ray in Saginaw Mi. Ray was off key most of the night and asked the crowd to sing many of the higher range stuff. Understandable since there was no real rehearsal. I understand from the club owner that George was visibly pissed after the show and even refused to do an encore. Bad all the way around. George’s playing was killer…

How did Lynch expect it? If they had a set list, this guy is supposed to be a fucking professional singer. As a professional, and having at least a month or two to prep, dude should be more than prepared.

Back in the day George lured Oni Logan away from Marc Ferrari's band Ferrari. Then Ferrari replaced him with Roy Cathey from the Fayetteville NC band Gibraltar and renamed his band Cold Sweat. Who then had a hit with "Lets Make Love Tonight" from their debut MCA records release "Break Out" just as Grunge was cementing itself to decimate Hair Rock. Anyway there are demos of Oni singing that album, but as similar as their voices & styles are; Roy absolutely knocked it out of the park. Roy sings today for a band called the Fifth & recently did some reunion dates with Cold Sweat. All this to say that I never understood why Roy has never had an opportunity to sing for George as he would be absolutely phenomenal!!! Has been my dream to see this happen for 30 years.

I like that 3 pickup! Does the switch select each on individualy? I need a 3 way that selects each

George was very optimistic about the band lineup with Andrew; sounded like he thought that it was the perfect mix of bandmates and was talking about doing an EP and going from there. Fortunately for George he does have several outlets with his own stuff, guesting with Dokken, KXM, Sweet Lynch, The End Machine, and now his instrumentals. I know that those are mainly not touring opportunities but he does at least keep busy. These musicians value a feeling of stability; Robert Mason with Warrant, Andrew Freeman now with Great White, Jeff Pilson being a mainstay in Foreigner, Reb Beach with Whitesnake as well as Winger. I think the more viable roles that they can be established with the better and if conflicts arise they are going to choose the more stable and lucrative position.

A drummer or bass player without practice is one thing. But a singer..... that's tough!!!

I’d think at that level, it would be no surprise to know your part without a rehearsal. I see it all the time. I had to do three sets and got through it with only 4 days. Wasn’t comfy but it happened. Another was literally 2 days. It was scary. Anyway, if you have a couple weeks or more, I’d think you should have a somewhat comfortable understanding of 15 or so songs.

I love George, one of my favorite guitar players. I think part of it too is George has soooo many projects and albums and stuff. He's not like don Dokken where don pretty much just does Dokken so I'm not surprised Lynch mob/ electric freedom is kinda on and off touring wise. I did see a clinic recently where George said he's just kinda accepted that the band is gonna be a revolving door all the time and it won't be the same 4 or 5 guys in the band forever

That's when you practice with an acoustic or something. Great point

Ray West is an amazing artist! I met him when he was in a band called Victims of Anew, when they opened for Tesla back in 2019 or so, then they came to Boston and opened for Scott Stapp. Was wicked stoked when I heard he collaborated w/George. Kinda sucks sweaty ball-sack that Ray didn’t work out. He is such an upstanding guy, really down to earth, super chill, and has a great stage presence!

Speaking from experience I played in a tribute band in the 90,s and we never rehearsed. We changed members constantly and the only rehearsal we ever had was at sound checks.

I was at the second show at the Vault in Saginaw

Now's your chance, Richard!!

alot of bands do that though. they have a guy fill in within 24 hrs. how much time frame did he have to prepare?

What diet and exercise recommendations do you have for upper-body development?

I think if he's a professional and has a set list he should be able to deliver with no rehersals

Mitch Malloy is my guess for George’s Band, Great White let him go a few months back.

why is Oni not a part of this anymore? do he and George not get along or is his voice toast? Wicked Sensation might be my fav cd of all time from that era. saw George warmup Dokken with a bass player I've never seen last July 2021, omg that guy could sing, he was awesome

I've met with and talked to George and Jeff many times over the past 30 years. They've always been more than cool. Very down to Earth. Even when the didn't have to be. Made time for me even when they didn't have time. True rock royalty in my book.

"Lack of preparation is preparing to fail" John Wooden, longtime UCLA basketball coach... Inciidentally, I played in a UFO Tribute band a decade ago..I thought it was easy and it went very well . The reason for that is that every swingin' dick LEARNED THEIR PARTS. We had 1 rehearsal and knew we were ready...learn your job and it goes smoothly otherwise you will have trainwrecks. Showing up and knowing your parts makes you a PRO. It's very simple. Not learning your parts makes you an amateur. Shit or get off the pot

I'd be interested to know what the set list was. I mean, if it's the old stuff, it's not like it's too obscure to be prepared for. But if it's newer material, George can't expect a new singer to jump in and plug-and-play.

There is no excuse in our modern age. If someone with a bunch of records out hires you as a singer, guitarist or whatever, you should show up knowing the songs. All of the songs are available online to listen to. You can also download and print the lyrics. When Randy Rhoads died in the plane crash, Ozzy hired Brad Gillis last minute to fill in and Brad busted his ass to memorize the songs in order to play the shows. He was cramming in hotel rooms and while traveling. I was excited about Ray joining the band, but ya gotta pull your weight.

George Lynch is and always has been my favorite guitar player, I'm a player from the '80s and still playing in a Smooth 70s/80s Band today. Lynch as he has gotten older, he all about improv, that's why he never plays the leads of the docking songs and old Lynchmob songs the same, but there is one other way to practice in between shows and that's with acoustics backstage before the gig or in the hotel rooms..

One thing I’ve learned, is when someone heaps too much praise on you, it’s time to watch out, because things are about to turn bad. When you can’t live up to excessive praise, which nobody can, it quickly swings to the opposite extreme,.

Ray West from Spread Eagle? He was a killer vocalist/singer with Spread Eagle. I can't remember that guys last name for certain. Ray was his 1st name for damn sure. I drove 6 hours in the snow to see Spread Eagle at the Al Rosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio. He sang really well and the club was empty enough that those of us there felt bad for them. They fucking rocked that place. They gave us our due man. Great band.

Yea but Ray was not prepared you got to know your lyrics and be ready to throw down practice on your Own! being a musician that's how it goes you're babying Ray too Dam much

Thongs change scent from one end to the other. Knowledge is power. God bless

I love George, I am a dream warrior buy Sir Lynch sounds very very difficult to work with. All the interviews with Don talking about George are entertaining AF.

It really comes down to the bottom line, without enough money in the equation, everything kind of falls apart. It really becomes about hiring musicians, and other players too, based on their love and desire to do it, and they fee they get is just a small token. The problem is that doesn’t really work, everyone has to pay bills, and even those who don’t have to worry about bills, still don’t want to be treated lesser. This is actually the same reason why we don’t see any truly great bands starting now. If any do, they last only a few years, and it’d fueled by very rich parents with connections.

Cool songs I like lynch mob and George can shred. Also love practicing to the drums in songs like sweet sister mercy. So twangy!

2016, South Dakota. Dokken reunion. It was clear they hadn't rehearsed very much because George didn't know the songs well. They had to restart a few times.

I saw George Lynch and The Electric Freedom in Saginaw, Mi at The Vault July 8th this year. I thought they sounded good but not super tight. Rehearsals are necessary before you go on the road at least 3 times.

GL is hands down the coolest and hardest working guy in the world of guitar and Rock and Roll. He's by far my favorite from any era. There are solo's from back for the attack that still give me goosbumps!! Love ot meet him someday in a small club, and have my homemade ESP Sunburst Signed.

Pilson!! Not a real front guy, but DAMN, that dude can sing. If they're all 60, who cares!!! Join my club B!!

Well Erik Grönwall did not have any rehersals before joining Skid Row on stage in Las Vegas. On the other hand he was a longtime fan of the band.

I have a friend who, let’s just say had a short lived project with George Lynch. You hit many of the nails on the head in terms of the financial aspect. Another issue my friend had, that caused him to not go further with George is that George, he says, still thinks it is the 80s, he thinks he has that kind of clout still and because of that there is a lot of….ego that gets in the way that makes him impossible to work with.

You are on the ball brother

Hey man!! New sub here!! I am like, 98.9% team "Bld. Shrdr." here..............., however... 🤦🏼... "Ray" should have been more proactive about this!! He just needed to find out if it is All "Lynch Mob" music, or if George has "Don's blessings" and there is going to be some "Dokken" in the mix for this new project!??! OF COURSE... George hasn't REALLY been all THAT busy WITH hopping and bopping ALL OVER the place through the years...!! 😂 🤔 So... that could quite possibly include... "KXM," "End Machine," T & N," or "Lynch/Pilsen," perhaps a little "Sweet & Lynch," "The Infidels," there is also "Ultraphonix" music that could be in the mix!! Maybe it's the Name "Ray," or "Raymond" that is "Geo's" downfall, as once tight friends and bandmates, now "Luzier" and "Lynch" can't exchange the time of day with each other w/o wanting to go "all testosterone" on each other to see who solos better, "the guitar demi-god" or "the original Steel Panther percussionist prowler!" OR IS IT ALL ABOUT ONE 2020 ALBUM THAT "GEO" JUST CAN'T LET GO... "Dirty Shirley!?!?" Point is... George has a very long and storied career in this crazy business we call "the music industry" and was on the scene in the very early start for what eventually became "Glam metal" meets "Bighair metal" as "Buck Dharma" screams out... "Kick out the jams Brothers and Sisters!!" ALL while "Curious, Confused George" trys to find his place in the "Sun...set...Strip limelight," after really never "Tooth and NAIL"...ing it down or "Hamer"...ing out a definite, absolute, fall back into the comfort zone, "genre" or at least standard style that didn't include being ALL OVER the Global map in a musical sense, sans subcultures!! Which in 2022 seems to be the thing!! YESSSS, you could not be more right about that!! The industry certainly created a monstrosity formula that worked for decades, but it was soooooo "lopp sided" with the "Fat Cats" of the Record Label(s) in the actual "drivers seat!!" Nowwww, it is good to see that having changed, but here's the thing, there is NO MIDDLE GROUND... we went from one extreme to another!! Bands got their "creative freedoms" and all 💯 % of it at that!! They also inherited all the downsides that "A & R," "Promotional," "Accounting" and every other "mundane task" the label(s) did to keep "feeding the machine," while having the name of every major touring act "on the lips" of the money spending public...!! But now that is all gone!! Enter in, "the dragon," the part or "STIGMA" that ALL PARENTS from the late 1940's right up through too... well today I guess... is the "TITLE" given to "those musician types," and that is "lazy," "unmotivated Slackers!!" OF COURSE NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH!! Right... "RUSH," "DREAM THEATER," "STYX," "LYNYRD SKYNYRD," "EUGENE ORMANDY" "TRANS-SIBERIAN-ORCHESTRA" Just to name a few, far, very far from lazy-unmotivated-slackers! But now, the individual machine has gotten smaller, though, no less complicated to keep a touring act on the road!! And of course as our ESTEEMED CHANNEL HOST has mentioned, "the money," everyone wants to be paid, and for everything they do!! SAD REALLY... because there was a time, when we were all young, unknown, motivated and unpretentious... All while saying this phrase at least once...( probably a shit-ton more times than that though.............. ) "Boy, I would do this for nothing, or next too nothing, if I COULD GET A CHANCE, just ONE chance!" What the hell ever happened to that and a little bit of common sense, planning and direction...🤔...HMMM, GEORGE, OR IS IT EASIER TO SAY PHUCK IT AND JUST FIRE AND HIRE PEOPLE UNTIL YOU'VE EXHAUSTED ALL THE RESOURCES!!! When ALL of that could have been circumvented by a simple, "GAME PLAN!!" OR IS THAT ONLY FOR "BAND AND GEAR RIDERS" ...... !??! I mean, that shit seems to be VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT!!! 🤦🏼🤨😳 ANYWAY, KEEP ON KEEPING ON BROTHER ROCKER!!!!! PEACE !!!!!🤘🏼

I'm a long time Lynch fan but also a Ray West fan when he was with Spread Eagle, so I hate that it didn't work out. That being said, everyone is working as interchangeable session musicians these days and keep a hectic schedule, so things like this are bound to happen.

Can you send me that Destroyer hanging behind you? lol Please

Ray West, not knowing him. He deserves a pass. Not rehearsing? That’s a bit much. C’mon George

He had a whole month to learn the songs I could be wrong but it sounds like he didn’t learn the songs in that month

I closed the video performance last night because I thought it was terrible. This just corroborated how I felt about that singer.

Ha, I went to that Def Leppard, Krokus and John Butcher Axis show you have framed on the wall back in the 80s

I saw him with Andrew in May outside Phoenix. Was PHENOMENAL! Best ive ever seen him play. Im surprised George was doing such a long tour ! I heard about the Great White thing but I didnt think it would take Andrew off😬. Either way Ive heard this story for MANY years. Ive also noticed George goes way off on political rants in interviews lately. Its fine to do that if you dont wanna tour but it puts people off if youre still a working player

Oh man, you have the orange submarine guitar. What exactly is yours and where did you get it? Thx!

I luv your passion for music!🤣👍Your ok in my book

Joel Ellis! That's a guy that would be killer with Lynch! Never heard of him?? Check out the band Heavy Bones, a Gary Hoey/Frankie Banali (RIP

I think it's just really Sad that the Original members of these bands can't get along and stay together. Example... Dokken with All Original members. It's so sad to see my favorite bands with different members.

I've met Don Dokken about 10 yrs ago...& he stopped to talk & sign autographs. He was really cool. As for Mick...he never came around.

Nobody burns through singers like George

Ray fronted Spread Eagle which also featured Rob DeLuca who is now in UFO

I had a one off, freelance gig with a guy...didn't usually rehearse much with groups. So, was kind of used to being in the dark... So, the show is the next day. This guy asks me if we can meet for a coffee, and talk about some material and some reference material. I said "sure! I've got a couple hour drive to a gig tonight. I'll listen to it on the way down" So we meet, and he gives me like 8 full length cds! "What should I focus on?" "All of it!" He says! 🤣

Ray should not have taken the job if he couldn't do the job, he should've done whatever it was going to take to prepare for it!!! As a guitarist myself I have to be prepared before I take a gig from someone and if I know deep down I'm not ready I will not take the gig!!! But you better believe me when I say that makes me work harder so I'm really ready the next time!!!

Actually bands do it all of the time without rehearsals. That's why the singers should have it work down at home. When you look at Bruce kulick's touring band they never get to rehearse and when they play the cruise you got Todd Kerns absolutely nailing the Paul Stanley stuff

Listening to LOT of George's projects lately. What happened to End Machine? THAT singer was GREAT!! And of course Dino J...he makes ANY band better! Dirty Shirly LOVING that album...I really despise what music has become now....looking to guys like George to hold rock together!

Interesting news. But your shirt is my favorite part of this video.

George Lynch is doing something with Terry Llouis and a newer young band called AON as a guest

Running a band is all about focus and management,and a no bullshit policy.Also standards and target goals,or stay at home! Tone Raven

Saw dokken with lynch in Sac a few weeks ago

seems like he Just Got Lucky but was thrown Into The Fire 🤣

Highly probable lynch has expectations within execution, remember his name/reputation is amongst his overall performance. Vocalist very difficult to fulfill, with lynch burnt tiger, floyd enhanced, along with 30+ years exp in his two hands. Attended priest/dokken tour 1986/forum, lynch was stellar, very consistent throught opening time duration slot. His Arizona studio was one best ideas I've seen in a guitarist. Can practice with Marshall sustain at any desirseable level, doesn't bother/disturb others. Plus tranquility within open areas, scenic areas really helps within concentration, no one bothers lynch while he's playing, and-or composing. Very good idea George placed.

I was at the Michigan show in wood haven. I believe it was his first show. And the vocals weren’t that bad but the stage presents. Was awful .he just seemed lost up there ,he tried getting the crowd into it ,but weren’t having it. But hey George killed it so it’s all good

The economics make extensive rehearsals impossible. However, that doesn’t stop anyone learning the material and trying their best to make things work. Will it be perfect? No, but if you’re a Pro you should be able to make a somewhat passable performance with limited preparation.

He must have gave him some kind of set list with songs to learn. George must have felt the guy let him down by not being ready?

If you get fired after only 2 shows, that probably means you were there one show too many.

George needs to stop fu6king around and take KXM out on tour! ;)

George lyench I met him in Charlotte NC at a bar

The power trio he had was pretty cool. He should have stuck with that

George is King of Tone, Hail George!

I know a couple guys that could easily do these George shows. Jeff Schlinz of Wulfhook and Brian Thomas of Detroits own Halloween. George is a superb guitarist just a vocalist away from some more years of viable radio play.

I saw his second show in Plymouth IN.. he wasn’t bad, definitely sounded better than Don who headlined the show.

He should get girish pradhan from a band in India. Called girish and the chronicles. The greatest rock singer right now. He also recorded with Rowan Robertson from dio . Custard pie.