Story by Lambchops

Here you go...my Hanoi story.

As I listen to my new CD called All those Glamorous Years: Best of Michael Monroe & Hanoi Rocks, I feel I should tell how I became a Hanoi Rocks / Michael Monroe fan.

The story begins in Portland, Newfoundland, Canada in Sept 84. I was up one night watching the tv show Good Rockin Tonite. They were playing videos of what they called "Up & Coming". In those days, there was an abundance of Metal sounding bands, but most of them were not that good. Kiss, Ozzy & the Iron Maiden were quite popular then.

The video was Up Around the Bend. It was great. Flawless. Energetic. Charismatic. Bottomline Fun!! Now I was only 13 but I remember like it was only yesterday. I have never seen a band so talented with so much attitude caught on video. Living in that part of the world, the only cassette i could find was Two Steps From The Move...hell, that's not a bad place to start at all.

It is now my favorite record by anyone. Simply perfect. Beautiful lyrics, great melodies, soaring leads and of course, Michael's vocals. Michael was and is a great vocalist. I firmly beleive his best vocals are on Boulevard of Broken Dreams on that LP. This is not to say that his later work is not awe inspiring as well. He also plays sax, guitar, harmonica, and drums. Face it, the man is talented.

Anyway, on with the story. So in late 1984 I heard on the radio that Razzle was killed in a car accident by a drunken driver. I was so upset and I hoped that this not mean the end of Hanoi Rocks. Never heard of them for quite a long time.

Five years went by I moved to Toronto and found Dead By Xmas on Cassette, which gave me some insight on the bands past before CBS. I was not disappointed. The live material on that cassette was simply rockin. I still play that cassette in my car today.

While watching MuchMusic (Canadian 24hr Music Station they announced the "Return of Michael Monroe!! Up Next" I was so eagerly awaiting this video. It was Dead, Jail or Rock n Roll. Great. It was just great to see Michael again...in any capacity.

For the next few years, there was not much to find of Hanoi Rocks or Michael Monroe in this country. And remember this was before the Internet. Until Uzi Suicide released all of the European catalog on CD!!! RIght on!!! Bought em all...even the promos. I thought my collection was complete. Wrong as we will find out later.

I then got access to the Internet and Jukka Halonen's site on Hanoi Rocks. (Hi Jukka!) I was in Heaven...finally a History of the band and what happened to them after they broke up I got in touch with Jukka and we began to trade cd's and tapes of the band. I have contributed to the site on a number of occasions and still do. All of the past 10 years were summed up that afternoon in August 1995.

I have since collected about 70 different CD's, Lp's, Cassettes & Videos...with the help of lots of people around the world. I try to turn as many people on to Hanoi as possible. To me Hanoi was never Glam, because that term refers to a look and usually means that the artist does not have much talent. Hanoi had loads of talent. Don't ya think the image of Guns N Roses in 1987 was a little too close to Hanoi Rocks??? Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

It is now Jan 1998.

By this time I have become associated with Markku, the writer of the Michael Monroe website. He told me how Michael Monroe was coming to Toronto....is this true? Having my prayers answered on January 26, 1998. Michael Monroe was DJ'ing at the Phoenix. I went there and got to meet him after his 3 song acoustic gig. it was awesome. Michael was awesome. He sounded great and he looked great. The man is a God. And so genuine. He waited and met his fans, signed lps. cds, etc. What more could you ask?

Did i mention that I met him? Here's what happened... I slipped him a piece of paper through the rails, which was a letter that Markku had written me telling me that Michael would like to meet me. Meet me? DId I read this correctly? Meet me? What? Anway Michael reads this and agrees, tells the guard that it's Ok, but after the gig. So after the gig, I am waiting ...rather impatiently...you gotta understand this was 3 am and I have to get up and go to work in 2 hours. What the hell, once in a lifetime right? I Have to meet Michael!!! Michael then said it was Ok to come in. I pushed my way through the crowd and there he was. Do i bow in his presence?

I said "What took you so damn long to get your butt over here to Toronto?" He said "You must be Cory". What? He knows my name? Lets just say I could die a happy man...ok? We chat for awhile and he signs my 3 cd's I brought with me. Michael, you ruined your picture on the cover of Two Steps by writing on your hair in the photo!!! But I forigve you. He looks at the Peace of Mind cd...and says, apparently surprised "Oh you got it?" Hell yeah! (thanks Jukka)... I told him and I mean this, it is my fave CD of the last two years. He again looks surprised. Michael, if you are reading this, the CD rocks OK?

He tells me to come to the show on Sunday night...like I would be anywhere else?!? I told him I had a gift for him as well. I made him a cd of my fave Michael Monroe songs. Little did I know that he could not play it. (Sorry Michael) Again Michael, if you are reading this, don't worry... another is coming soon.

It is now Sunday, Feb 1 and Michael is set to go on in about 20 minutes time. Eager? You betcha. Michael does approx 10 songs with one Hanoi tune. I was front row center. Caught the towel. Took some pictures. Sorry, a bit vague here...I was so much in awe...I remember most of it but not all. I forgot my name too...so there.

After all...who else can say that their fave singer sang 2 feet in front of them, twice in 7 days, and kept high fiving them when he was singing???

Awesome. Nuff said.

Anyway, two loyal Hanoi fans from Scranton, USA drove 8 hours for the show, Brian Rose & Michael McHale, who did an impromptu duet on Ain't Nuthin To Do!!! Great guys.

Met Michael again and gave him the cd. He asked if the version of the Two Steps from The Move was the real version. I said Yes. he said "Cool, I don't have that one". I had full access to the backstage area where Michael was meeting the fans again. This guy cares about his fans.

I only wished I could have gone to New York to see him again, but I only found out that night.

As I said...die a happy man.

Michael, if you are reading this. You are great. One of a kind. Can't wait to see you back in Canada. And your new cd is on its way. Can I be your manager? Hey no harm in asking huh?

Michael you need exposure here in North America. You are too big a talent to keep yourself hidden in Finland.

In the words of Michael Monroe...Rock Like Fuck!!!!!

Cory in Toronto.

And thanks to Jukka, Markku, Ron M, Gerald in Germany, Metal Tim at HMV,
Brian & Michael in Scranton, Brian @ Wildcheri, Paul Saliba,
Vinyl Tap, HMV, Sams, Freds, Penneylane, Sonic Temple, David Smith, CD Now,
and all the traders around the world for helping my collection grow.