Razzle (musician)
| Razzle | |
|---|---|
 Razzle during his time with Hanoi Rocks. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Nicholas Dingley |
| Born |
2 December 1960 Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England |
| Died |
8 December 1984 (aged 24) Redondo Beach, California, USA |
| Genres | Rock, glam punk, punk rock, glam rock, hard rock, glam metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, Vocals |
| Years active | 1977–1984 |
| Associated acts | Hanoi Rocks |
Nicholas Dingley, alias Razzle (2 December 1960 – 8 December 1984), was the drummer of Finnish glam rock band Hanoi Rocks from 1982 until his death.
Biography
Born in Royal Leamington Spa, England, he was adopted by Henry and Irene Dingley, growing up in Coventry and then in Binstead, Isle of Wight.
Prior to joining Hanoi Rocks, Razzle had played in UK-based bands Thin Red Line, The Fuck Pigs, Demon Preacher (featuring Nik Fiend, later of Alien Sex Fiend) and The Dark, with whom he released one EP.[1]
In 1983 Sam Yaffa disclosed that he and Razzle were planning to leave the band citing Andy McCoy's insufferable behaviour as the main factor.[2]
Death
In late 1984 Hanoi Rocks was on their first American tour. Frontman Michael Monroe fractured his ankle, so the band had to skip a few gigs and take a break. During that break, Mötley Crüe's singer Vince Neil invited the band to visit his home, in California.
On 8 December, Razzle visited Neil's home and spent the day in Redondo Beach. The two decided to take a trip to a local liquor store in Neil's De Tomaso Pantera. While speeding and driving drunk, Neil lost control of the car and hit an opposing vehicle. The two occupants of the other car were seriously injured.[3] Razzle was taken to South Bay ER but was declared dead on arrival at 07:12 local time. He was buried at Holy Cross Church in Binstead, Isle of Wight in 1984. Neil dedicated Theater of Pain, Mötley Crüe's third studio album, to Razzle.[4]
Neil's account of this event is documented in Mötley Crüe's 2001 autobiography The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band.
References
- ↑ http://freespace.virgin.net/dead.girl/dark.html
- ↑ http://freespace.virgin.net/dead.girl/biog.html
- ↑ Chronological Crue – 1984. Members.ozemail.com.au. Retrieved on 2011-03-12.
- ↑ Frank Meyer (1 January 2002). "Back to the Mystery City of Hanoi Rocks". KNAC.com.