It had been a very long time since I’d seen George Lynch perform. IF memory serves me right it was sometime in the 80’s before Dokken imploded warming up for someone like Judas Priest in a basketball arena. Out of all the “hair bands” Dokken was always one of the best musically and much of that had to do with George Lynch. As a peer of Eddie Van Halen’s and Randy Rhoads, Lynch completed this trilogy of holy axeslingers in southern California in the 1970’s. After years of LA clubs and various bands, he joined Dokken. I first heard George and Dokken with their Breakin’ the Chain’s single and was an instant fan. His guitar work was melodic and technical much like Van Halen’s. After that I especially enjoyed his combination of interesting riffs and inventive solos.
His main solo band called Lynch Mob was making a stop near Houston at the Scout Bar. I wasn’t familiar with this material but wanted to see him maybe perhaps before he retires. My first impressions of Lynch Mob were that they were similar to Dokken’s material with a little more of an edge vocally. George up close was insane. The guy plays the guitar ferociously blending lightning- fast runs and melodic bends and pull offs. He’s got an amazing tone and his choice of notes is one of the things that sets him apart. George pours everything in every note and it was a privilege to see a guitarist at this high of caliber only a few feet away. I hope he continues playing for years to come as he has a lot left in the tank.
