Up from the Ashes is the first[nb 1][4] solo studio album by Don Dokken, best known as the lead singer of American glam metal band Dokken. The sound of the album continues the more commercial sound that Dokken began to incorporate into their music with Under Lock and Key.[5] Whilst working on the album, it was originally intended to be a new Dokken album as a band with a new lineup rather than a solo album, but due to the lawsuit between Don Dokken and his former bandmates, it was released under Don Dokken's name.[6]
The album did not quite achieve the commercial success achieved by Dokken, but it did reach the Top 50 on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US.[7] The line-up for this album consisted of Don Dokken performing vocals, John Norum formerly of Europe on lead guitar, Billy White formerly of Watchtower on lead guitar, Peter Baltes formerly of Accept on bass, and Mikkey Dee formerly of King Diamond and subsequently of Motörhead on drums. The original drummer for the Don Dokken band was Hempo Hildén, formerly in John Norum's band but he was replaced after a few photo sessions and does not play on the album.[8]
The music videos for the songs "Stay" and "Mirror Mirror" received airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball. "When Love Finds a Fool" was co-written with former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath singer Glenn Hughes, who also provided backing vocals for the song.
For the album, Don Dokken "[had] a rule", that all the band members must live in the same house.[9]
