Razzle
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Dingley, alias Razzle (2 December 1960 – 9 December 1984), was the drummer
of Hanoi Rocks
from 1982 until his death.
, growing up in Coventry
and then in Binstead
near Ryde
on the Isle of Wight
.
Prior to joining Hanoi Rocks, Razzle had played in UK-based bands Marionette, The Fuck Pigs, Demon Preacher (Featurning Nik Fiend of later Alien Sex Fiend
fame), and The Dark.
Dingley was notable for having 'Razzle' printed on his drum kit and not the name of the band he was in, unlike most drummers of the time. When asked about this, he said that he could not see that he would stay with Hanoi Rocks forever, instead setting his long term sights on playing for a stadium rock band such as Heart
.
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 December 8, 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. Razzle was taken to South Bay ER but was declared dead on arrival at 19:12 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.
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.
Razzle had a cross tattoo with the text "Too fast to live, too young to die".
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
of Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
from 1982 until his death.
Biography
Born in Royal Leamington Spa, England, he was adopted by Henry and Irene DingleyDingley
Dingley may refer to:People with the surname* Bert Dingley , American racecar driver* Joan Dingley , New Zealand scientist, expert in the study of fungus* Nelson Dingley, Jr...
, growing up in Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
and then in Binstead
Binstead
Binstead is a village on the Isle of Wight. It is located in the northeast of the Island, two kilometres west of Ryde on the main road between Ryde and Newport.-Amenities:...
near Ryde
Ryde
Ryde is a British seaside town, civil parish and the most populous town and urban area on the Isle of Wight, with a population of approximately 30,000. It is situated on the north-east coast. The town grew in size as a seaside resort following the joining of the villages of Upper Ryde and Lower...
on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
.
Prior to joining Hanoi Rocks, Razzle had played in UK-based bands Marionette, The Fuck Pigs, Demon Preacher (Featurning Nik Fiend of later Alien Sex Fiend
Alien Sex Fiend
Alien Sex Fiend is a deathrock band from the UK, composed of the married couple Nik Fiend and Mrs. Fiend . Currently, the band is based in Cardiff, Wales.-History:...
fame), and The Dark.
Dingley was notable for having 'Razzle' printed on his drum kit and not the name of the band he was in, unlike most drummers of the time. When asked about this, he said that he could not see that he would stay with Hanoi Rocks forever, instead setting his long term sights on playing for a stadium rock band such as Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
.
Death
In late 1984 Hanoi Rocks was on their first American tour. Frontman Michael MonroeMichael Monroe
Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm , best known by his stage name, Michael Monroe, is a Finnish rock musician, and multi-instrumentalist who rose to fame as the vocalist for the glam punk band Hanoi Rocks, and has served as the frontman for all-star side projects, such as Demolition 23...
fractured his ankle, so the band had to skip a few gigs and take a break. During that break, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
's singer Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
invited the band to visit his home, in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
On December 8, Razzle visited Neil's home and spent the day in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.Redondo Beach was originally part of...
. The two decided to take a trip to a local liquor store in Neil's De Tomaso Pantera
De Tomaso Pantera
The Pantera was a sports car produced by the De Tomaso car company of Italy from 1971 to 1991, the last one being delivered to a customer in 1992.The word "Pantera" is Italian for "Panther".-History:...
. 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. Razzle was taken to South Bay ER but was declared dead on arrival at 19:12 local time. He was buried at Holy Cross Church in Binstead
Binstead
Binstead is a village on the Isle of Wight. It is located in the northeast of the Island, two kilometres west of Ryde on the main road between Ryde and Newport.-Amenities:...
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
in 1984. Neil dedicated Theater of Pain, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
's third studio album, to Razzle.
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.
Razzle had a cross tattoo with the text "Too fast to live, too young to die".