[3] Lynch auditioned twice for the role of lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne — first in 1979, ultimately losing the position to Randy Rhoads.
Lynch later explained that he participated in soundchecks at the side of the stage during a European tour with Osbourne and Brad Gillis as part of an extended audition.
This decision deeply affected Lynch, who was struggling financially at the time and working as a liquor store delivery driver, a job that required him to keep his hair short.
During the late 1970s, Lynch played with a band called The Boyz, performing on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip alongside Van Halen and Quiet Riot.
The Boyz also included future Dokken drummer Mick Brown, bassist Monte Zufelt, and vocalists Lisa Furspanker and Greg Sanford.
Dokken released a series of successful platinum albums that prominently featured Lynch's innovative lead guitar work.
The resulting album, Shadowlife, marked a shift from their melodic rock roots to a more alternative sound, a change that disappointed vocalist and founder Don Dokken.
However, vocalist Logan opted to pursue other projects before a full album could be completed, and Mick Brown chose to remain with Dokken.
Lynch began collaborating with producer/engineer Sean Fodor on the ill-fated Microdot project, which featured then-unknown vocalist London LeGrand in early 2002.
Lynch formed a project with former Dokken bassist Jeff Pilson, releasing the Wicked Underground album in 2003 under the name Lynch/Pilson.
This line-up featured Lynch, vocalist Andrew Freeman, drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), and Mårten Andersson (Lizzy Borden, Starwood, Legacy).
Let the Truth Be Known was released under the band name Souls of We in 2008 and features the line-up of London LeGrand (vocals), Johnny Chow (bass), and Yael (drums), along with a myriad of guest contributions.
In 2009, Lynch recorded lead and rhythm guitar tracks for seven songs that appear on the debut album of rock singer Raven Quinn.
Lynch announced plans for a documentary film titled Shadowtrain: Under A Crooked Sky about the destruction of the Native American community in the fall of 2011.
[15] Lynch assembled Shadowtrain, featuring documentary filmmaker and drummer Vincent Nicastro, Pueblo Native American vocalist Gregg Analla (Tribe of Gypsies, Slaviour, Seventhsign), ex-Lynch Mob bassist Gabe Rosales, and keyboardist Donnie Dickman.
Lynch's all-star project with vocalist/bassist Doug Pinnick and drummer Ray Luzier, known as KXM, released its debut album in 2014.
Lynch announced another project titled The Infidels, featuring Pancho Tomaselli, Sal Rodriguez, and rapper Sen Dog.
[18] Lynch teamed up with Living Colour vocalist Corey Glover to form the side project Ultraphonix, releasing the album Original Human Music in 2018.
[23] The album features a duet titled "Max Pain" with Szell and Richard Patrick of FILTER, "The Dread" by Jason Charles Miller, and the song "Terror" by Tommy Victor from PRONG.
Lynch's use of Marshall, Soldano, Bogner, and Diezel amps, along with effects units to achieve his famous tone, is well documented in rock guitar circles.
Lynch also uses a Morley A/B box called the Tripler and a limited edition Robert Keeley GL Time Machine boost.
Lynch cited several influential guitarists as key inspirations in his musical development, including Jimi Hendrix, Randy Rhoads, Jeff Beck, and Michael Schenker.
He also acknowledges the impact of Eddie Van Halen, Allan Holdsworth, Jan Akkerman, Christopher Parkening, Al Di Meola, Roy Buchanan, Albert King, Frank Marino, Muddy Waters, Gary Moore, and Yngwie Malmsteen.