Since first hearing them in 1985, I have been a massive fan of Hanoi Rocks. I have also been a huge of the solo output of vocalist Michael Monroe, guitarist Andy McCoy, and bassist Sami Yaffa. The music these people made (and continue to make) are significant parts of my life’s soundtrack, but Hanoi Rocks have been a mainstay in my heart and soul as a music lover.
In their short five years as a band (from 1979 – 1984), Hanoi Rocks had a sound that would influence a whole generation of hard rock bands, including Guns N’ Roses. Guns N’ Roses was pretty much the American version of Hanoi Rocks but not nearly as good, but I will digress. Hanoi Rocks made a long living mark on the face of hard rock with their mix of punk rock, glam rock, and ’50s-infused Rock n’ Roll. After the death of their drummer Nicholas “Razzle” Dingley in a tragic car accident at the hands of a drunken and unapologetic Vince Neil (Motley Crue vocalist), Hanoi Rocks decided to pack it in, feeling that it just wouldn’t be the same without their old friend.
In 2022, Michael Monroe turned 60 and decided to throw himself and his longtime fans a party. The Michael Monroe 60th Birthday Concert took place on September 23 at the Helsinki Ice Hall (Helsingin Jäähalli) in Finland and featured sets by his musical ventures.
At the 60th birthday show, Monroe was accompanied mainly by his longtime band, Sami Yaffa, Karl Rockfist, Rich Jones, and Steve Conte. In addition to the original HANOI ROCKS lineup and DEMOLITION 23, several top musicians and artists who collaborated with Monroe over the years took the stage. The almost three-hour-long concert allowed fans to hear many Monroe classics throughout the evening.
To cap off the three-hour marathon, the original lineup of Hanoi Rocks featuring Michael Monroe, Andy McCoy, Sami Yaffa, Nasty Suicide, and original drummer Gyp Casino reunited for the first time in 40 years and delivered a monumental nine-song set that clocked in at nearly 50 minutes. Monroe had this to say about the show:
“It felt great. It was amazing. It was a big undertaking, and I worked on it quite a while. And the setlist — altogether there was 37 songs, including DEMOLITION and the original HANOI lineup… The original HANOI lineup played nine songs, actually, in the end… The emotion and the feeling was amazing. The crowd had such a warm feeling of love and appreciation, and everybody had a great time. It was a real success, I must say. I felt really great about it. There was a lot of singing — 37 songs — and my voice held up good.”
The Hanoi Rocks reunion sounded so full of fire, and they looked amazing. They were obviously having a great time together, and sounded like they had just picked up where they left off. The success and quality of this performance will hopefully see Hanoi Rocks reuniting for a tour; if so, I don’t care where I have to travel to. I will be there singing and screaming at the top of my lungs.
Happy Birthday, Mike. 60 looks good on ya!
Michael Monroe/Demolition 22/Hanoi Rocks Setlist
Demolition 22
• Nothin’s Alright
• Dysfunctional
• Endangered Species
• You Crucified Me
• Hammersmith Palais
Michael Monroe
• She’s No Angel
• Nights are So Long
• All Night With the Lights On
• Man With No Eyes
• Not Fakin’ It
Hanoi Rocks (2001-2004 Lineup)
• Telephone Bill’s All Mine
• Obscured
• People Like Me
• A Day Late, a Dollar Short
Michael Monroe (Solo)
• Deadtime Stories
• Fallen Star
• Missa muruseni on
Michael Monroe
• ’78
• Trick of the Wrist
• Got Blood?
• Ballad of the Lower East Side
• Stained Glass Heart
• Horns and Halos
• Old King’s Road
• I Live Too Fast to Die Young
• Last Train to Tokyo
• Dead, Jail, or Rock n’ Roll
Hanoi Rocks Reunion
• O Fortuna (Intro)
• Tragedy
• 11th Street Kids
• Oriental Beat
• Boulevard of Broken Dreams
• Don’t You Ever Leave Me
• Motorvatin’
• Malibu Beach Nightmare
• Million Miles Away
ENCORE
Up Around the Bend
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