Michael Monroe, the legendary rock icon who skyrocketed to global fame in the early 1980s as the dynamic and electrifying lead vocalist of the groundbreaking band Hanoi Rocks, is hitting the U.S. with a solo tour that’ll make your heart pump and your soul spontaneously combust. Fans have been waiting for this moment for nine years, and now it’s finally happening.
Michael and his rebellious band featuring Steve Conte [guitar], Rich Jones [guitar], Karl Rockfist [drums], and Todd Kerns [bass] will perform ten shows, kicking off on April 2nd at Racket NYC with the finale at The Rainbow in Hollywood, CA on April 13th.
With an illustrious forty-year career, Michael has consistently been at the vanguard of pushing the musical boundaries of rock, punk, and rockabilly, challenging musical conventions on every album, from Hanoi Rocks to his impressive solo career.
Fans at Racket NYC on the opening night of the tour, April 2nd, witnessed a rock ‘n’ roll storm unlike any other. Michael burst onto the stage for “Death, Jail or Rock n’ Roll” as if shot out of a cannon, and there was no slowing him down for 75+ minutes. Smiling from ear to ear, Michael showed us that at 62, he’s still the rock star; like his lyrics say, “he ain’t aging, he’s keeping thin, and his looks ain’t fading!”
Clad in black jeans and a vest embroidered with leather red and white flowers, Michael embodies everything that makes rock ‘n’ roll thrilling and instantaneous! His voice soared, his stage presence commanded attention, and his unrelenting energy never wavered as he led the band through an incendiary show filled with nineteen songs of raw energy and punk ethos.
Songs like the punk-infused “Young Drunks & Old Alcoholics,” the swaggering rockabilly of “Last Train to Tokyo,” and the straight-up rocker of “78″ with its DIY ethos that convey a sense of pride all showcase his unparalleled versatility. The anthem, “I Live Too Fast to Die Young,” is a battle cry, a defiant declaration of refusing to compromise or slow down. These are the songs by someone who’s lived it, and you can feel the essence of it in every word he sang. Michael keenly observes the human condition, rebellion, and disillusionment with the relentless pursuit of one’s dreams.
He poured his heart into every lyric, as his vocals resonated with authentic emotion like “Ballad of the Lower East Side.” I asked Michael before the show what it’s like to be back in NYC compared to the 80s. He replied, “I moved here at the end of ’85 and lived on East Third Street, between Third and Second Avenue, the Hells Angels’ block. I loved living there and did my first show at a Hells Angels block party on the Fourth of July. I moved out of New York because of the music business. I got tired of sitting at meetings and discussing contracts with lawyers before I could even play one note. New York still has the same attitude it always did, you go into a deli, “So what the fuck do you want? What are you, another rock star? Oh, tomorrow, there will be another. Maybe two. So, what do you want, pastrami?” I love New York!” This sentiment enables Michael to connect with the audience on a visceral level, forging an intimate bond.
He and the band breathed new life into every song, channeling the same vibrant spirit and unbridled fun that was originally intended, whether written decades ago or from Michael‘s 2022 album I Live Too Fast to Die Young.
Steve has been Michael‘s right-hand man for over 15 years; he was spot-on, recreating the beloved guitar solos in the Demolition 23 songs, the solo songs, and five Hanoi Rock songs, including “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” with the precision and passion that fans crave. Alongside, Rich cemented their chemistry only to characterize it as melodic chaos with heartfelt soul. They never stopped feeding off each other’s energy, creating a sonic wave that swept over the crowd.
Karl is the band’s engine room, ensuring all songs are timed and paced to perfection. He is a versatile drummer who can easily switch his playing styles to suit the needs of each song. Meanwhile, Todd stepped in to take on bass for the U.S. leg of the tour (with Sami Yaffa handling TV duties in Finland). Todd‘s bass lines were lightning-fast, and he knew how to handle the songs by playing between the melodies, which felt more than heard, providing the perfect foundation for the madness unfolding on stage.
In an exhilarating display of rock ‘n’ roll at its finest, Michael demonstrated that his music and indomitable spirit are as vital and relevant today as ever. The show wasn’t just a concert—it was an experience. A fiery reminder of what a performance should be: raw, adrenaline-fueled, and unapologetic.
Tickets to the party are available here.
Michael Monroe Photo Gallery
