Razzle

Nicholas Charles Dingley (2 December 1960 – 8 December 1984), better known by his stage name Razzle, was an English musician, who was the drummer of the Finnish glam rock band Hanoi Rocks from 1982 until his death in 1984

Early years Razzle was born in Royal Leamington Spa, England, to a young single mother, Patricia Ingram (-2025), who decided to give up her child for adoption. He was adopted by Henry (1923-1988) and Irene Dingley (1916-2001). The family's only child, he grew up in Coventry, after which the family moved to the village of Binstead, Isle of Wight.

Prior to joining Hanoi Rocks, Razzle started playing in local Binstead small ensembles, one of which was called Thin Red Line. In 1980, he moved to London, where he played in several punk rock bands. He joined Demon Preacher (featuring Nik Wade, later of Alien Sex Fiend), The Fuck Pigs and The Dark, with whom he released one EP The Living End Live in 1981, which was recorded at the band's last gig in London's 100 Club which, in his own words, "was heavy punk, almost heavy metal".

Death

In late 1984, Hanoi Rocks were on their first American tour. Frontman Michael Monroe fractured his ankle, so the band canceled several scheduled performances for his treatment and recovery. During that break, Mötley Crüe's lead vocalist Vince Neil invited the band to visit his home in Redondo Beach, California.

Both occupants of the other car were seriously injured, sustaining brain damage as a result of the crash. Vince Neil was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the crash. His blood alcohol content was 0.17, above the California legal limit at that time of 0.10. In September 1985, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Edward Hinz, Jr., sentenced Neil to 30 days in jail and five years probation.

Andy McCoy and Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee went looking for Neil and Razzle. They drove by the crash site and saw Neil handcuffed and placed in a police car. They were informed that Razzle had been taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. McCoy informed the band's manager Seppo Vesterinen, who then told the rest of the band. Neil's account of this event, which contradicts witness accounts, is documented in Mötley Crüe's collaborative autobiography The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band (2001).

Despite his short career, Razzle left an impact through his work with Hanoi Rocks, a band credited as a major influence on Guns N' Roses and other glam metal acts of the late '80s.

Media portrayal Max Milner portrayed Razzle in the 2019 film adaptation "The Dirt" of Mötley Crüe’s autobiography.

Discography With Hanoi Rocks Studio albums Back to Mystery City (1983) Two Steps from the Move (1984)

Live albums All Those Wasted Years (1984) (+Video) The Nottingham Tapes (2008) (Video)

Compilation albums The Best of Hanoi Rocks (1985) Million Miles Away (1985) Dead by Christmas (1986) The Collection (1989) Up Around the Bend, Super Best (1989) Tracks from a Broken Dream (1990) Hanoi Rocks Story (1990) Strange Boys Play Weird Openings (4 cd) (1991) Lean on Me (1992) All Those Glamorous Years – Best of Hanoi Rocks & Michael Monroe (1996) Decadent, Dangerous, Delicious (2 cd) (2000) Kill City Kills (2000) Hanoi Rocks box set (4 cd) (2001) Up Around the Bend... The Definitive Collection (2 cd) (2004) Lightning Bar Blues – The Definitive Collection (6 cd) (2005) This One Is for Rock'n'Roll – The Best of Hanoi Rocks 1980–2008 (2 cd) (2008) Ripped Off – Odd Tracks & Demos (2 cd) (2010) Hanoi Rocks Sound Pack 26 (2010) Hanoi Rocks Parhaat (2011) The Johanna Years (3 cd) (2014) Strange Boys Box (5 cd/6lp) (2018)

With Fallen Angels Studio albums Fallen Angels (1984)