Happy Birthday today (June 17) to glam rock legend Michael Monroe. He’s 56. Also celebrating is Gregg Rolie (original lead vocalist and keyboardist from Santana & Journey). He’s 71.

Michael Monroe rose to fame in the early 1980’s as frontman for the glam punk band Hanoi Rocks. Monroe stated in his autobiography All Those Wasted Years that he was first exposed to rock and roll when he witnessed Black Sabbath’s 1970 Paris concert on television. Some of his favorite band’s included Alice Cooper, Led Zappelin, The New York Dolls, and CCR. Hanoi Rocks were on the way to stardom, but that was cut short when a car accident took the life of drummer Razzle in 1984. The band broke up a year later. A new lineup of Hanoi Rocks featuring Michael Monroe and guitarist Andy McCoy was active from 2001-2009.

I always heard about how great Michael Monroe was live and I finally got to see him play a club show last year. It was one of the best rock shows I’ve ever seen. The guy is an incredible frontman. Cheers to Michael Monroe on his birthday! For more on Michael Monroe, check out his official website here.

Gregg Rolie
Theo Wargo/Getty Images
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