Monroe’s reputation remains strong both in Finland and around the world.

For him, music became the centre of his life when his two elder brothers went to school.   

”I figured then that I wasn’t doing the things I wanted to do. Should I wait till I retired without knowing what condition would I be in or whether I would still be alive? I’m grateful to be where I am. Too many friends have passed away, it doesn’t take much,” Mike reflects.

Monroe formed Hanoi Rocks together with Nasty Suicide and Stefan Piesnack in 1979. After an initial break-up in 1985 after the death of drummer Razzle, the band reformed for a further eight-year stint in 2001.

Hanoi Rocks released eight studio albums and two live albums. Record sales worldwide are in excess of ten million copies.

At the age of 50, Monroe is in the prime of life. In his view, last year was a great one in his career. His new album Sensory Overdrive has been both a commercial and musical success in Finland. Even the Wall Street Journal showered praise on him.

”Perhaps I’m at the time of life when fans see that I’m still full of action. Yes, he’s alive!” he observes.

Monroe remembers Hanoi Rocks with affection but looks forward to the future with optimism.

“I’m one of the best kept secrets in rock'n'roll. And just because I haven’t yet reached the top worldwide doesn’t mean I can’t still get there,” Mike notes.

Reaching the age of 50 does not shake Monroe.

“It’s just another year, another day," he says with laughs. “When you reach 50, your face shows what you are. Getting old is a state of mind. If you start thinking, worrying and fretting about your age, then it will show,” he adds.

Michael Monroe’s 50th birthday gig will be held at Ruisrock in Turku in July.

Michael Monroe was born Matti Fagerholm in Helsinki on June 17, 1962, the son of a legendary Yle radio announcer.