Justin Hawkins, frontman of The Darkness, has shared a revealing encounter with rock legend Michael Monroe. He made these comments during a recent video on his YouTube channel Justin Hawkins Rides Again.
“Here’s a bit of back story. When I rocked up at the show where we played with uh Michael Monroe at the Guns and Roses stuff, he saw me in my cats suit getting ready to go on stage and he was really nice to me and he was saying, ‘Oh, we should do some stuff together. We should hang out. Here’s my album. I love your band,'” Hawkins recalled.
“All this kind of stuff. And I was like, ‘Oh f—king hell, that would’ be really cool. You’re a legend. Let’s do it.’ And then later, I went to follow up on that idea with him but I was wearing my civilian clothes and he didn’t recognize me. And he was f—cking rude,” he continued.
“And then I said something to him, ‘Oh, we should keep in touch.’ And he went, ‘Oh, we should keep in touch,’ and he actually mocked my voice. And I was like, ‘Oh, well, the mask has slipped and that’s who he really is,'” Hawkins revealed.
The encounter took place during a shared performance at a Guns N’ Roses show. Both artists performed as part of the lineup.
Monroe’s behavior stands in stark contrast to his public image and recent career achievements.
A report from The Big Takeover highlights Monroe’s 60th birthday celebration. The milestone event featured a sold-out concert in Finland and included a rare Hanoi Rocks reunion performance.
Industry observers have consistently praised Monroe’s positive attitude. He has shown no bitterness toward bands that achieved commercial success while drawing inspiration from Hanoi Rocks’ pioneering style.
The Finnish rock icon remains active in the music industry. His work spans both solo projects and occasional collaborations with former Hanoi Rocks bandmates.
This interaction with Hawkins reveals an unexpected side of Monroe. His reputation has largely centered on his dedication to authentic rock music and his collaborative spirit within the industry.
