Bon Jovi: No, it's not Alright. Why I don't like THAT SONG.

Ok.

I have been a Bon Jovi fan for well over 20 years, there isn't much that they've recorded over the span of their career that I haven't liked.

I will say Social Disease is not a favorite (because when you're 10 or 11 in 1986 and if your Mom heard the intro you knew that she was going to take the tape away), and If I was your Mother off KTF makes me squeamish, I don't really hate the songs.  

I HATE Who Says You Can't go Home.  I have previously posted what I thought Jon would do to the song if it were a woman Here.  Have a Nice Day is a really good album, but it would be better without it.  Don't even get me started on the Special Edition of HAND with 3 or 4 versions of it.

And I am aware that WSYCGH won a Grammy, but this is the Grammy's we're talking about the same people that when they presented the first Heavy Metal grammy it was given to Jethro Tull, yes flute playing Jethro Tull over Heavy Metal Masters Metallica. 

Critics don't like Bon Jovi, its why they had never won an Grammy before.  And probably why they will not be inducted into (the joke that is) the RNR HOF.  But I feel sometimes that Jon wants the critical praise and adulation more than he want the fans adulation.  But the critics don't shell out $1000+ for tickets.  Fans do.

We're the ones that know all the words to all the songs, we're the ones with t-shirts from 20 years ago, we're the ones who meet-up before concerts and swap Jovi War stories about past concerts.  Songs we hope they play.  Song's we're heard, songs that have met so much to us throughout our lives, songs that get us through hard times, songs that make good times better.

If WSYCGH is such a big hit, why is it that a majority of long time fans don't like the song?  Why is it that the only people that I meet that like that song are super casual fans, or people that started listening to Bon Jovi cause they're more into Country than Rock.  Like at the show in Tampa, the people in front of me in their straw cowboy hats we're all into WSYCGH, while I was singing with the chorus "I Fucking Hate This Song..." and then when Jon raises his hands for the countless (and annoying) hand raises (because you know he has to get crowd participation out of this crappy song you know there's no other way to get people into it otherwise) and then he lowers them, my hands go up in a double barreled greeting from New Jersey salute.

So that kind of sums up what I think of WSYCGH.  I think WSYCGH is a representation of what is wrong with Bon Jovi going into the 2nd decade of the 21st Century.  I think Jon is trying too hard for critical adulation, from the song to the going to homeless shelters (if his motives are as selfless as he says does he really need members of the local media there to meet him, can't he just write or have a publicist write an editorial after the fact to highlight what's going right in that shelter and the plight of the homeless in that city and nationwide? ), does everyone on BSWJBJ really need to know that on Thursday Jon will be touring the Greater BFE Women and Children's shelter.  The fact he says he's the CEO of a huge company but then tries to say that he isn't aware of the ticket pricing structure is laughable.

In conclusion, there are many great Bon Jovi songs, but WSYCGH no matter how Jon tries to force it down our throats at every single show for the last 3 tours, it is not a GREAT Bon Jovi song like Prayer, Wanted, Bad Name, Always, It's My Life, HAND, Bad Medicine, etc...  Jon needs to realize the true fans aren't asking for WSYCGH we're asking for it to go away.

Bon Jovi Kisses Fans at Start of Squeaky-Clean Concert Marathon

IN this review of night 1 at The O2, I think he really hits it on the head regarding Hallelujah, and Jon needs to be careful not to perform it too much.

Oh and I love his descriptions.   But what about Tico????  Why does everyone forget about Tico???

Bon Jovi Kisses Fans at Start of Squeaky-Clean Concert Marathon

Review by Robert Heller

June 8 (Bloomberg) -- Three years ago, Jon Bon Jovi played the first rock concert at London’s O2 Arena. Last night, the first of a 12-show residency, the U.S. star returned to flash a smile, kiss some girls and get down to 2 1/2 hours of stadium- sized anthems and blue-collar rocking.

Since June 2007, the O2 Arena has become one of the world’s leading rock venues. Bon Jovi’s commercial success stretches over 25 years, with more than 120 million albums sold -- 28 million of them being 1986’s “Slippery When Wet.”

Right from the start, Bon Jovi’s band works to deliver. “Blood On Blood” sets the pace. It launches with a squeal from the guitar of Richie Sambora, who wears a flash silver jacket. Sambora keeps the hair-metal flame alive with virtuoso guitar work that never lets fireworks usurp good old-fashioned melody.

The rhythm section gets the rock-blues chugging. David Bryan, his corkscrew curls bobbing with excitement, throws in flashes of synthesizer.

The main event, though, is the singer. With his matinee- idol cheekbones and blue-eyed gaze, the all-American hero, 48, is born to perform. His hair is salon perfect while his super- white smile is the most dazzling thing on the O2’s stage.

He moves into the audience to give a chaste kiss on the cheek to some female fans (and one excited guy). He also sings, powering hard-rock and pop-rock anthems.

Close-Up Footage

“When We Were Beautiful” packs a special punch. “Work for the Working Man” comes with some social-realism-styled graphics. Unlike most arena gigs, Bon Jovi’s stage has no props or pyrotechnics. The big screens are used, for most of the show, only to highlight close-up footage from onstage.

There are some dud moments. A couple of songs feel like Eagles cast-offs puffed up in metal trappings. A cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is over-emoted and self- reverential.

The wholesomeness of it all -- clean melodies, relentless air-punching and vacuous sing-a-longs -- make you yearn for a bit of rock filth or Bruce Springsteen grit.

It was nothing that Bon Jovi’s winning smile, and an encore blast through “Living on a Prayer” couldn’t fix.

After last night’s show, Bon Jovi will be welcomed back to the O2 for years to come.

I haven't forgotten about Tico:

Bon Jovi: to release new tracks, album in fall????

Bon Jovi to release new tracks, album in fall

Bon Jovi still get a buzz from selling out arenas.

The 'It's My Life' hitmakers - who were formed in 1983 - are currently mid-way through a 12-night residency at London's O2 Arena and despite performing at some of the world's biggest venues over the years, insist they still get excited by large crowds.

Guitarist Richie Sambora told BANG Showbiz: "It feels great! We're still selling out stadiums for god's sakes!

"We just opened up the new Meadowlands stadium in New York - we sold that out for four nights and we have a new stadium tour happening in July, but it feels great to be here in London."

The songwriter - who was once married to actress Heather Locklear - (why did they put that in there???  I mean why don't they just put who once dated; Ally Sheedy, Cher, Denise Richards & was married to former Melrose Place Star Heather Locklear, it's like the man is talented on his own you don't have to reattach him to his equally famous ex's.  *rant*  DB) thinks keeping contemporary is the key to a long and successful career in the music industry.

He said: "You know what? To actually remain contemporary after all these years is cool man - there's not many bands doing it."

Bon Jovi are showing no signs of tiring yet, as Richie added the band will be back next year with another tour and a greatest hits album.

He revealed: "This thing is not stopping. We're having so much fun. We're going to come and do a proper stadium tour of the European continent next summer and we're going to release our greatest hits around fall with some new tracks on it."

Bon Jovi: 21 Years Ago Today

Ok, so it's 1 year too late for a Sgt. Pepper reference but still, if you were alive like I was in 1989, doesn't it make you feel old?

21 years ago today Bon Jovi performed at Giants Stadium for the 'very first time' (that's a Madonna Reference).  The proverbial Giants Stadium Cherry was broken.  :)

Here's the backstage laminate that was used.

I remember watching out for this on MTV in the days following the concert:




I myself did not get to go to this concert, I asked if I could sleep in front of the Meadowlands Arena to get tickets the night before they went on sale in March of 89, but was told at 13 I would be raped and or murdered.  Parents have such faith in their children.  Kids don't know how lucky they have it today, I mean you sit in front of your computer for TicketBastard to determine that it's 10 o'clock and then you hit refresh until all the scalpers and bots have bought up the tickets, then you head to a reseller like Stub Hub for your seats that are double what the purchaser bought them for.

But I digress, the anniversary of this historic show is today, so have a drink in it's honor.

I would get to see them play there the first night on the OWN tour in 2001

Oh here's Part of Giants Stadium from Access All Area, the early part has no sound (stupid You Tube)



Today is also my High School Band Directors Birthday! So happy Birthday Robert Leive wherever you are playing your trumpet w/the Wooster Street Trolley Band

Happy Friday! Get up and shake that thing

Bon Jovi: The Price of Tickets

 More from the make a (King of the) mountain out a molehill files:

Bon Jovi Denies Overcharging Fans For London Tickets

(RTTNews) - Bon Jovi is speaking out against accusations that the band is overcharging fans for their residency at London's O2 Arena. In a recent statement to the Daily Mirror, Jon Bon Jovi claims the top priced $2,000 ticket package is just one option and that fans can buy tickets at much lower prices.

"Those tickets are a couple of special package tickets," he said. "I don't really know what they are, they could be anything. It may be that you get everything and it may be 20 tickets. But it ain't the front row and it ain't the front section. It's certainly not gipping (conning) anyone else out of anything."

The band started their 12-date run earlier this week with a performance on the roof of the O2 Arena. Assisted by a team of climbing experts, the band ascended to the building's highest point and offered up renditions of "We Weren't Born To Follow," "Superman Tonight," You Give Love A Bad Name" and "It's My Life."

The performance was projected onto screens located throughout the arena's outer concourse.

If you believe that Jon doesn't know what ticket prices are I have a bridge to sell you:

It's over 100 years old but still is usable.

Also Bon Jovi waved the service fees on all tickets today for the rest of the month.  But you know you have to buy the tickets now, not when they went on sale, like 6 months ago.

Bon Jovi: The Importance of Eye Contact?

I was reading Bon Jovi at the O2, SE10 and I saw the following comments by the writer.

The guitarist Richie Sambora fought for the limelight and took over vocals for Lay Your Hands on Me. Bon Jovi attempted to outdo him with a solo rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Then the pair duetted on I’ll Be There for You, sharing a microphone, but notably avoiding eye contact. That’s showbiz for you.

 Is it me or is the writer trying to start something?  Something that isn't there.  I've watched countless You Tube's of this song, and I think the writer is insinuating something that's not there.

(And Maybe Jon is intimidated I mean Richie sang this song for the last 3 tours pretty much solo with the occasional HRH duet.  So would you look in his eyes, or maybe Richie is trying to crack Jon up during the song, which would be HIGHlarious.  or maybe the reporter is trying to make something up for the next 10 shows people will stare as they perform this song?)

I think there's no proof to this, see this picture:

Hug it out boys Hug it out....

Is this the cutest thing ever??

OMG, I just found this on Youtube, @ :19 watch Dave he's so cute and young and so innocent looking, an too think he's almost a month older than Jon and looks about 5 years younger.

A Music Interlude

This came on my iPod Pinkie Lee Today (yes my iPod is named Pinkie Lee it's Pink what else would I call it???) I wanted to share a little B-side rarity from Bon Jovi