In a recent press conference in Helsinki, the original lineup of Hanoi Rocks got together after 40 years. Frontman Michael Monroe shared the story of how the reunion that Andy McCoy requested to take part in came about.
Michael Monroe will celebrate his 60th birthday at Helsinki Ice Hall on September 23rd. Demolition 23 will reunite for the show, which will be their first performance together since their split in 1995. However, the most unexpected news came when the original lineup of Hanoi Rocks announced they would take the stage together for this special occasion.
Recently, the band’s frontman disclosed how the Hanoi Rocks reunion came about. Monroe, who turned 60 in June, had planned to do a show to celebrate his milestone birthday with fans. The show’s original concept was going to feature a Demolition 23 reunion. Monroe had also asked Gyp Casino, a member of the original lineup of Hanoi, to be a part of the gig. Later, Andy McCoy called Monroe and invited himself to perform with him for his 60th birthday.
The frontman explained that Sami Yaffa and Nasty Suicide were already going to participate as a part of the Demolition 23 reunion. After Gyp Casino and Andy McCoy’s addition, he realized that the original five members would be at the gig anyway. Originally they would perform a few Hanoi songs at the end of the show, which would surprise the audience. However, Yaffa suggested announcing it, so fans have a chance to come and see the original five together on stage once again.
As it turns out, that was a great idea since Helsinki Ice Hall was already half sold out. When they announced the reunion at the press conference, where all five of them sat together 40 years later to tell that Hanoi would be doing a set at the end of the gig, the rest of the tickets were gone. Everybody wanted to be a part of this special moment.
Monroe’s words about how the Hanoi Rocks reunion came together:
“Sami Yaffa and Nasty Suicide were going to be there any way [for the Demolition 23 reunion] since Sami is in my band playing the bass. I met with Gyp Casino, the original drummer from Hanoi, in Stockholm last December when we were filming my documentary… [He is] a cool guy [and I have] nice memories [of playing with him]. And I invited him over to do something [at the gig]. And then Andy McCoy, he called me. He invited himself. He said, ‘I heard you’ve got this 60th birthday celebration. If I have time from my world tour, I may have time to show up, and maybe I’ll come and do ‘Tragedy.” [And I said] ‘Okay. Whatever. Fine.’
So then I started thinking about it. I said, ‘Wow. That would be cool. All the guys will be there, the original lineup. Why don’t we do a few Hanoi songs in the end?’ And then we were going to have it as a surprise, and everybody agreed. This was the only way and the only time to do it, for the right reasons. Then Sami Yaffa said to me one night, ‘Are you sure you don’t wanna let people know ahead of time? Because if fans find out about this, after the show, they’ll be pissed off.’ So I said, ‘You’re right. We should let people know.’
The Ice Hall in Helsinki was already over half sold out, but then we had this press conference, and I had Gyp Casino come over too — all five of us — and it was fun. It was surreal to be with everybody right there — all five of us together — after 40 years. It was amazing. It felt cool. It was fun. And we announced that the original lineup would be doing a set of Hanoi songs at the end of the show. It was sold out the next day, and everybody wanted to be there.”
You can watch the press conference below.
