Michael Monroe was born Matti Fagerholm. He is a singer, musician, and songwriter most famous for being the lead singer and cofounding member of the Finnish rock band, Hanoi Rocks. (The band’s name was inspired by the Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers' song, Chinese Rocks. Monroe is also a successful solo artist. A multi-instrumentalist, Monroe can play saxophone, piano, harmonica, drums, harp, guitar, keyboards, and percussion.

Formed in Helsinki in 1979, Hanoi Rocks is considered by many to be one of the best glam rock bands of the 1980’s, as well as the most successful Finnish rock band of all time.
Hanoi Rocks was highly influential on many rock bands to come out of the 1980’s – specifically, bands like Guns N' Roses, Poison, Skid Rowe, and Motley Crue, among others.