Hanoi Rocks

(b. Nicholas Dingley, 2 December 1963, Isle Of Wight, England, d. 7 December 1984)

This Finnish heavy rock band were distinguished by their leaning towards ’70s glam rock, which they carried off with more style and conviction than any of their peers.  The band traveled to London where they began recording ORIENTAL BEAT.  Soon after it was finished Casino was sacked (and joined the Road Rats) and replaced by Razzle, who had previously played with Demon Preacher and the Dark. They hit the UK charts for the first and only time in 1984 with a cover version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Up Around The Bend, but the year ended in tragedy. The band were in the US when Razzle was killed in a car crash on 7 December. The car driver—Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe—was later found guilty of Vehicular Manslaughter.  However, Monroe never really accepted the loss of Razzle and in early 1985 he told the band he intended to quit. Hanoi Rocks played their final gig in May 1985.