Published: Saturday, April 30, 2011, 8:35 PM Updated: Saturday, April 30, 2011, 8:43 PM
As part of Jon Bon Jovi's schtick Saturday at the New Orleans Jazz Fest's Acura Stage, he laid out a pop music timeline. Today it's Justin Bieber, he noted, when it used to be Justin Timberlake. It's Ice T and Jay-Z now - well, Jay-Z at least - instead of NWA, Ice Cube and Grandmaster Flash. The world is "goo-goo for Gaga" now, whereas he predates Madonna.
Jon Bon Jovi in all his glory on the Acura Stage on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.The one thing that hasn't changed, Bon Jovi noted, is himself. His band, however, has, at least temporarily.
As news broke this week that lead guitarist Richie Sambora was bound for a rehab encore, fans wondered what would become of Bon Jovi's scheduled Jazz Fest show.
By all accounts, Jon Bon Jovi is the consummate show-must-go-on professional. With so much riding on the band performing as billed, he and his bandmates resolved to do the gig sans Sambora.
For a major rock band to carry on without a key member is not unprecedented. Aerosmith toured without lead guitarist Joe Perry back in the day. U2 logged one gig with Adam Clayton's bass tech filling in. Journey still fills arenas fronted by a former Filipino cover band vocalist.
Whether it works depends on what is more important: The music/experience, or the musicians making it. Without Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi and company needed to sell the former. And they did, in spades, even as they largely ignored the fact that a key member was missing.
Ultimately, Sambora's absence didn't much matter. For nearly two hours, Jon Bon Jovi and Phil "X" Xenidis, Sambora's more than capable stand-in, worked extremely hard to deliver a show that, on balance, was more electric and more satisfying than Bon Jovi's 2009 Jazz Fest set.
Veteran session guitarist Phil "X" Xenidis filled in for Richie Sambora with Bon Jovi on Saturday at the New Orleans Jazz Fest.The Canadian-born Xenidis has a long history as an understudy and session guitarist for the likes of Tommy Lee. And he wasn't on his own. Since 2005, veteran New Jersey guitarist Bobby Bandiera, an alumnus of Southside Johnny's band, has toured with Bon Jovi as its rhythm guitarist.
With Bandiera laying the path, Xenidis was free to walk in Sambora's shoes. He wasn't shy about it. He soloed in the opening "Forever Young," and busted out the talk-box in "It's My Life." He dressed up "Runaway," a thrill ride from Bon Jovi's debut album that the band did not perform at Jazz Fest in 2009, with extra licks and fills.
Bon Jovi made the most of his time in New Orleans. He spoke with at-risk youth at Café Reconcile on Friday; Friday night, he reportedly visited music clubs on Frenchmen Street. He was typically gracious onstage. "I'm so happy to be back at Jazz Fest," he said. "We wouldn't miss it for the world." (Or for a guitarist going to rehab.)
He noted he had a "great time bouncing around from tent to tent," and thanked both Jazz Fest producer/director Quint Davis and Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Later, he gave shout-outs to Irma Thomas and Wayne Toups, who preceded him on the Acura Stage.
He hammed it up in a leather vest with all but two of its snaps undone. He "put another quarter in the jukebox" and called up "Dancin' in the Streets." His Mick Jagger impersonation - hands on hips, big pout, effeminate strut -- during the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" was a hoot. During a chorus of "Who Says You Can't Go Home," he pointed out a face in the crowd and, grinning, quipped, "Nice hat!"
During "Bad Medicine," the band detoured into a "Pretty Woman" that was more Roy Orbison than Van Halen, thanks to Bandiera's lean guitar tone and lead vocals. Just as quickly, they spun back around into "Bad Medicine," playing like a polished band thrilled to be charting slightly new territory.
In a set highlight, Xenidis and Bandiera muscled through "Lay Your Hands on Me" atop David Bryan's organ fills. Drummer Tico Torres kicked into a double-time beat for a hard rock/gospel finish that dropped off into sunburst harmonies.
For the encore, Bon Jovi donned a No. 11 Saints jersey emblazoned with his own name and chanted "Who Dat." He and Xenidis intertwined chiming acoustic guitars on "Wanted Dead or Alive." Xenidis broke out the talk-box again for a final, most excellent "Livin' on a Prayer." Bon Jovi dedicated it to "our brother Richie."
It was the first time Sambora was mentioned. Or missed.
This man is a writer not a fan, we all missed Richie... It's not the same.
6 comments:
Richie will ALWAYS be missed. There's no one like him. John and Richie were born to share the stage together. Phil did a good job. It was a nice performance.
Nicely written article.....but, unlike the author, I am a steadfast fan and for us fans, (millions and millions and millions of us) it will never be the same without Richie Sambora. I'd like to say to Phil Xenidis, thanks so much for filling in for Richie and it sounds like you did a stellar job, but please don't get too comfortable in Richie's position...it belongs to him in the heart of the true Bon Jovi fans. Love to the band Bon Jovi and Keep The Faith. Love and prayers to Richie Sambora - R & R which means Rest and come Roaring back!
BTW - Jon looks like a million bucks in that photo.
@BJ-Fever it was a nice performance if you look back on Phil's twitter time line he went to NYC on Wednesday, so I wonder what happened when Richie got to NYC on Tuesday night. Obviously he was in no shape to tour, the fact that Phil X seemed really very compentant on maybe 72 hours notice says he's a pretty good guitarist, but no one will replace Richie.
@Barbara I agree Richie was missed from the time they hit the stage and he wasn't there.
Jon does look like a Million bucks (when does he not) BUT his eyes are very expressive, and obviously he didn't want to share his hurt/disappointment/whatever with us, even though every fan feels it, but not to the extent he's going through, I'm sure.
Jon is doin' wot he can with this situation. The decision to continue with concerts, was taken not just by jon, but by all band members. There are questions re whether this could have been postponed until richie was recovered?? But, when this tour ends, there are obviously other commitments to be considered, things that us jovi fans do not have the priviledge to know about,(quite rightly so) so I think it is very presumptious of fans and others to slate jon with regard to not rescheduling, and continuing with the tour. Is he comfortable with Phil at his side, probably not to be honest, he is used to richie every bit as much as we are!! It's a tricky one, and I for one, wudnt like to be the one having to make these decisions, because, no matter what, you can't please all the people all the time!! No matter what was decided, people would find cause to complain. I'm glad Phil has been able to stand in for Richie, but we all know, there's only one Richie Sambora...and so does jbj!
Rant over! Yvonne Keenan aka Von Jovi
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