14,164 days later, Michael Monroe comes face to face with Vince Neil

On December 8, 1984 an intoxicated Vince Neil crashed his De Tomaso Pantera doing a beer run in Los Angeles, killing Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle.

Last weekend, Motley Crue’s Neil came face-to-face with the band’s singer for the first time.

Michael Monroe, 60, and Neil, 62, were photographed in full stage attire in an artists area at Rock Fest, the gigantic festival at Hyvinkää in the former’s native Finland.

John 5, Motley’s new guitarist, can be seen in wider-angled versions of the photo glaring at the anonymous photographer. He likely knew the significance of the meeting.

There was no apology, apparently, just a quiet acknowledgment. Neil served just 19 days of jail time for his role in the death of the drummer, real name Nicholas Dingley.

“One of the most important moments of my life was meeting Vince Neil for the first time last night,” Monroe wrote on Instagram.

“Razzle always wanted us to meet as he thought ‘us singers’ were a lot alike.

“Under different circumstances both bands probably would’ve ended up as good friends, but fate had other plans…

“Thank you for your time, Vince. We didn’t say much but your eyes told me more than 1000 words ever could.

“And your singing was great at the show. Nice to finally see you guys live!”

Hanoi Rocks lasted only another year after the incident in question, while Motley Crue went 0n to be one of the world’s biggest bands.

In 2011, Monroe told Hot Metal: “Everyone else talks about it and says ‘you started this’ I say ‘don’t blame me for that shit’.

“I never … if you’re talking about all the people, the Sunset Strip scene and whatever … of course it’s always flattering when people say you influenced this or that or made a big impact on something.

“To me, personally, I could not relate to that kind of stereotype: rock star, sex, drugs and rock’n’roll cliché. A bunch of guys with big hairdos, makeup, who could play their hairspray cans better than their instruments. They learned to pose, party and get screwed up and pretend to be rock stars before they even learned how to play and write songs.

“To me, the music, the attitude, being able to play was more important.

“I would not have the gall to stand up on stage doing anything if I wasn’t able to play, perform, do something. To stand up there and pose and not really have much substance to back it up with – I wouldn’t have the nerve to be up there.”