Michael Monroe
Michael Monroe (born Matti Fagerholm; 17 June 1962) is a Finnish rock singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, best known as the lead vocalist, harmonica player, and saxophonist of Hanoi Rocks, a glam punk band that emerged from Helsinki in the late 1970s and exerted significant influence on subsequent hard rock and punk scenes.[1][2]
Hanoi Rocks, co-founded by Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy in 1979, drew from influences like the New York Dolls and punk rock to develop a raw, theatrical style that garnered international attention in the early 1980s, with albums such as Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks (1981) and Back to Mystery City (1983) establishing their reputation for energetic performances and distinctive aesthetics.[1][3] The band's trajectory was abruptly halted in December 1984 when drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley was killed in a car crash driven by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil, an event that contributed to internal strains and the group's dissolution in 1985.[1][4]
Following the breakup, Monroe relocated to New York and initiated a prolific solo career, releasing debut album Nights Are So Long in 1987 and achieving commercial success with Not Fakin' It (1989), which featured collaborations including members of Guns N' Roses.[1][3] He formed short-lived projects like Jerusalem Slim (1990–1992) with bassist Sami Yaffa and guitarist Steve Stevens, and Demolition 23 (1990s), before resuming solo efforts with critically praised releases such as Sensory Overdrive (2011), named Classic Rock Album of the Year, and Blackout States (2015).[3] Monroe's enduring legacy includes inspiring acts like Guns N' Roses through Hanoi Rocks' blend of punk attitude and rock melody, alongside his persistent output of authentic rock music into his sixties.[5][3]