Hanoi was still Rocking

In December, 1984, when drummer Razzle Dingley was killed in an auto accident, Hanoi Rocks essentially ceased to exist. The band had just released “Two Steps From the Move,” and was on the cusp of American success. Although the band replaced Razzle with former Clash drummer Terry Chimes, they never recovered. First, bassist Sam Yaffa, then singer Michael Monroe left, and in 1985 the band folded. The members spent the next 15 years in various short-lived projects. Although they worked with numerous artists including Iggy Pop, Stiv Bators and Guns N' Roses, as individuals they never achieved anything resembling their earlier success.

Michael Monroe has released several solo albums. Nasty Suicide and Andy McCoy formed the Cherry Bombz with vocalist Anita Chellemah (from Toto Coelo, best known for their 1982 single "I Eat Cannibals”). Suicide and McCoy also put together The Suicide Twins. And, Andy McCoy has released a handful of other solo albums. Sam Yaffa recorded an EP with musician Pelle Almgren.

In 1988, Polarvox Oy, a Finnish label, released “Yahoo!” a compilation of the solo work from the surviving Hanoi Rocks members. That’s where today’s music comes from.

Can’t Go Home Again.mp3 Michael Monroe
Countrified Inner City Blues.mp3 The Cherry Bombz
Declaration.mp3 Suicide Twins
I Will Follow.mp3 Andy McCoy
Lonely In Love.mp3 Pelle Almgren and Sam Yaffa

In 2002, Monroe and McCoy reformed the band, with two members of the Electric Boys. They have released two new albums and toured heavily since then.
As of 2005, Nasty Suicide works as a pharmacist. Sami Yaffa now plays in a band called Mad Juana with his wife, Karmen Guy, and is based in New York City. Yaffa is also touring and recording with the re-formed New York Dolls. Both have appeared onstage with the reformed Hanoi Rocks, although not at the same time.

The official Hanoi Rocks Website
The first Hanoi Rocks Website, established in 1985.
Hanoi Rocks on MySpace

posted by aikin @ 8:50 PM