does jon bon jovi still tour

• Moscow concerts Moscow concerts Moscow concerts See all Moscow concerts ( Change location ) Today · Next 7 days · Next 30 days
• Most popular artists worldwide
• Trending artists worldwide

• Tourbox for artists

Search for events or artists

• Sign up Log in

• Get the app
• Moscow concerts
• Change location
• Popular Artists
• Live streams
• Deutsch Português
• Popular artists

Bon Jovi  

• On tour: no
• Upcoming 2024 concerts: none

1,728,914 fans get concert alerts for this artist.

Join Songkick to track Bon Jovi and get concert alerts when they play near you.

Find your next concert

Join 1,728,914 fans getting concert alerts for this artist

Similar artists with upcoming concerts

Tours most with, past concerts.

MusiCares Person of the Year

Bridgestone Arena

American Airlines Center

View all past concerts

Bon Jovi (formed in 1983) is an American hard rock band known for their arena-filling live shows and instantly recognisable worldwide hit single “Livin’ on a Prayer”, hailing from Sayreville, New Jersey.

Originally comprised of Garden State natives, frontman Jon Bon Jovi, keyboard and backing vocalist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, lead guitarists Richie Sambora, and bassist Alec John Such, the group has remained a fairly solid lineup since its formation. The band began playing around New Jersey, opening for touring bands, which is how they caught the attention of record executive Derek Shulman. He subsequently signed Bon Jovi to Mercury Records and released their debut, self-titled album in January 1984. Peaking at No. 43 on the Billboard 200, the record introduced the band’s huge, dramatic and heavy guitar-driven sound, which resulted in the band opening for the Scorpions in the U.S. and Kiss in Europe.

After a disappointing second album “7800° Farenheit” was released in 1985, Bon Jovi issued their breakthrough album “Slippery When Wet” in August 1986. Holding the top spot of the Billboard 200 for a remarkable eight weeks, the record was led by the No. 1 knockout singles “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer”, turning the group into household names the world over. The group’s 130-show supporting tour became a huge success and earned the band nearly $30,000,000. Building on this success Bon Jovi’s fourth, “New Jersey” once again found the top of the charts aided by the No. 1 singles “Bad Medicine” and “I’ll Be There for You”. With a reputation as one of the best and most intense touring bands in the world, Bon Jovi set off on a 232 show tour which included a show in the Soviet Union.

The constant cycle of recording and touring began to take its toll on the group and in 1990 Bon Jovi took a hiatus to focus on family and individual pursuits. After a conversation about the longevity of the group in St. Thomas, the members agreed to start making a new album. That new album proved to be “Keep the Faith” released in November 1992. Marked by its mature, thoughtful lyrics, the album was succeeded by the compilation “Cross Road”, which featured the band's most successful single to date, “Always”. Bassist Alec John Such was subsequently fired from the band and unofficially replaced by Hugh McDonald.

Following another huge worldwide tour, Bon Jovi issued their sixth album “These Days” in 1995, followed by “Crush” in 2000, and “Bounce” in 2002. In 2003 the band reworked a number of their biggest hits and compiled them onto the studio album “This Left Feels Right” in November. Prior to the arrival of their 10th studio album, “Have a Nice Day” in 2005, Bon Jovi was bestowed with the Award for Merit at the American Music Awards in 2003. Playing to nearly two million fans the world over, the “Have a Nice Day” Tour grossed nearly $200 million, following close behind successful tour by The Rolling Stones and Madonna.

The full-length “Lost Highway” followed in June 2007, led by the singles “(You Want to) Make a Memory” and “Lost Highway”. Following the subsequent tour, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2009, the same year they released their 12th studio album, “The Circle”.

Live reviews

funny because in google before you click to this site. It says

BON JOVI is on tour and has one

Coming up. But then when you go to

The actual site It states there are

NO Bon Jovi yours coming up.So why are they Conradicting themselves here on Song kicks ????. the only

thing is Jon Bon Jovi has only been

Playing at small Venues. Along with the band that is backing him up "kings of suburbia" He hasn't done anything with the Bond Jovi

band members since he recorded a

Shot concert on April 29,2021 for

Druve-Ins and Theaters. Now the only thing he is doing is for a vacation company called "RUNAWAY TOURS" for Halloween And it is only 2 nights He is gonna do a short gig and then take pictures and maybe answer some questions there's some questions for a couple of nights this is mainly just a vacation package to Miami, Florida That is outrageously expensive Is nothing like a tour concert. This thing hes doing now is a couple of $1000 plus And you have to pay for your plane fare and your food. And as for the Night of 29th and 30th And the 31st of October. But the hotel is only for 2 nights. And they still haven't booked up completely. The 1st one they did a few months ago booked up really fast for all that's for all 3 of the prices prices but this time they're not booking everything up. Most people can't afford several $1000.

Report as inappropriate

I've been going to Bon Jovi gigs in UK since 1986. I was 15, already had both their previous albums. First UK tour, they played a tiny local theatre, which was half empty as they were barely known over here back then! I've been to every UK tour since, except one..even saw them at Donnington "Monsters of Rock", which is now Download. Manchester, Stoke City Stadium, Coventry; I've loved every concert, but I have to say, Coventry is a lousy venue!! It's a nightmare to get to and the lack of parking is a complete ball ache. PLEASE do more dates at Manchester and replace Coventry with the Stadium in Stoke, now called The BET 365 Stadium and is home to Stoke City fc, so same size as Coventry. Loads of parking, and not clogging up motorway slip roads to get there either. Other than that, cannot fault ANY concet I've seen; Jon is so professional. 2 concerts, on 2 consecutive tours, it belted it down with rain and they carried on, towelling off inbetween. Jon even laughed while singing the line "til the heavens burst" during "Always" Phil X is a great guitarist too. I've seen Kiss, Halestorm, Def Leppard, TOTO, Tina Turner, Guns n Roses, plus many more and Bon Jovi will always be top of my list. Lifelong fan, 37 years on from my first concert and 39 yeats since my first album "Bon Jovi". Keep on rocking!

Bon Jovi remains, to this day, a musical icon. The band is one of the most successful and famous rock bands of all time and, judging on the ridiculously large crowd that excitedly came to see the band perform live, they will never, ever lose their star. Years after their formation in 1983, Bon Jovi’s hits are still classics that everyone, young and old, can’t fail to recognise. And this is precisely why it was so brilliant to watch them perform live, in a packed out arena of thousands of fans. The energy was out of this world, and the fans were so excited that they could barely contain themselves. Even the sound check guy got an ear deafening scream when he appeared on stage. When Jon Bon Jovi himself appeared, the world exploded. Proving that he still got it, Jon Bon Jovi put his famous vocals to test with a big opener: ‘Always’. The crowd went wild. We were treated to all the hits, spanning all the decades. ‘Who Says You Can’t Go Home’ was a notable one, with the whole crowd singing along, but it was ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ that, of course, brought the house down.

I Love Bonjovi!!!Have been a fan since 1984, seen them 9 times in concert, have all their music old and new, 3 shows I went to see them by myself, this show I went by myself, and as always it was awesome!!!! Jon is amazing, I loved what he did when he quizzed the audience about the radio station, lol I just can't get over that, as any woman I wish that was me lol,they always put on a great performance, and make you feel good, I also loved when he would turn to the back of the stage and kick box into the video at the end of the song he did this 3 times, I give them 10 stars on this show, Philx was really good, I could see how much he really enjoys what he is doing, the stage was phenomenal, with the slinky lights, and how this house is not for sale picture of the album was included awesome!!!! I also have to say how much I missed seeing Richie, but, they're performance proved they've moved on, got it together and Jon Bonjovi, Tico, and David, I remember you guys in your 20's,30's,40's, I just can't believe its been over 30 years, you guys are amazing!!

Some bands never lose their appeal due to the fact their hit singles still seem relevant and able to play on radios years later. They turn from songs into much loved anthems and are passed down between families and friends. New Jersey glam rock outfit Bon Jovi definitely sit within this category thanks to their runaway success in the 80s.

Years later they are still packing out arenas with fans old and new who are all enthusiastic and ready to bellow along to those recognisable choruses. Although it is over thirty years since the band first formed, all the musicians remain so lively and passionate onstage most noticeably Jon himself who conducts his crowd like a pastor addressing his faithful church commune. He preaches, they agree although there are no hallelujahs just great rock choruses on the likes of 'Always' and 'Bad Medicine'. They leave stage in a barrage of lights and guitar riffs yet the crowd knows they will be returning for the synonymous 'Livin' On A Prayer' which unites the thousand strong audience in one almighty singalong.

Bon Jovi has been rocking it around the world since the eighties and hasn't given up yet.

They've been touring huge arenas for years and even in their ripe old age they still manage to put on over a two hour long performance that will leave you breathless and will have you singing along and dancing all night to the hits from Slippery When Wet all the way up to their latest album What about Now.

They'll make you feel like you've been time warped to the land of neon t-shirts and big hair! You'll want to go bust out your members only jacket and flock of seagulls haircut after you see them. Bringing back a blast from the past you'll be able to see the hits like "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Living on a Prayer" just like they were in the eighties.

Bon Jovi can still hit every note perfectly and does it with a flair that only he can bring. Richie Sambora never misses a note in any of his solos and can still rock out with the best of them even going as far as doing a ten minute long guitar solo in the middle of their set.

We paid for general admission seating so we couldn't get anywhere near the stage. The screen would have been fine, but the sound system was horrible and we could barely hear him. From what we did hear, the sound was entirely muffled.

In addition, people smoked all around us and there was no fresh air. Our 10 and 8 year old boys were miserable. There were a lot of people complaining but no one from Dick's Sporting Goods was there. There were only volunteers and no one knew how to address the issue. We decided to leave after 15 minutes of the music starting. And speaking of the music starting, he started 2 1/2 hours late.

It was the worst concert I've ever experienced. And not only did we put $280 for four tickets, we paid for a hotel room so we could go to the concert.

My first concert was 95 wembley stadium. Ab absolutely mega l cant explain to people just how mega it was you wouldn't be able to understand or appreciate it unless you ate a fan of theirs. It was just electric. I was so excited it was Wembley stadium.l had never been anywhere as big as that. I remember going to the seats the sound of the music booming out. I think it was vanhalen jump.l was so excited l got to a bit where you could stand and l looked over the bars and felt as though l was going to fall into the crowd. I felt like l was walking on air and no l hadn't been drinking.it was just amazing l went with my mum who has now passed away. A memory l will hold in my heart forever.

What can i say, the show was fantastic, mind i have not been to a bad one yet, and i have been going since 1995, the shows get better and better, we always get vip, we have stood in que's for hours and had gold circle, also being at the front, but know we like a bit of comfort , so we go vip, which is fabulous , of you have not been to a Bon jovi concert you are missing out, the only thing i was dissapointed about was how long it took them to come to England and then there was only a choice of 3 venue' one up north and 2 down south, also jon i do miss the fireworks at the end bring them back , but all in all fab as always, just dont leave it so long next time xxxxxxxxx

Fortunate enough to be in a hospitality box, with a very good (close) view.

The biggest issue, was the terribly poor sound quality. I don't know if this was because of where our box was (to the side) or whether the sound was generally very poor.

when he spoke, we could not make out a single word he said.

again, when he sang, were it not for us knowing the words to his most famous songs, we would not have had a clue what he was singing.

visually, excellent, atmosphere was tremendous, but the sound was terrible.

Videos (16)

Photos (271)

Posters (73)

Find out more about Bon Jovi tour dates & tickets 2024-2025

Want to see Bon Jovi in concert? Find information on all of Bon Jovi’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Unfortunately there are no concert dates for Bon Jovi scheduled in 2024.

Songkick is the first to know of new tour announcements and concert information, so if your favorite artists are not currently on tour, join Songkick to track Bon Jovi and get concert alerts when they play near you, like 1728914 other Bon Jovi fans.

Last concert:

Last concert near you:

Popularity ranking:

• OutKast (124)
• Bon Jovi (125)
• 21 Savage (126)

Concerts played in 2024:

Touring history

Most played:

• New York (NYC) (62)
• London (61)
• Philadelphia (42)
• Los Angeles (LA) (40)

Appears most with:

• Scorpions (76)
• The Goo Goo Dolls (48)
• Daughtry (41)
• Dashboard Confessional (26)

Distance travelled:

Similar artists

• Most popular charts
• API information
• Brand guidelines
• Community guidelines
• Terms of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookies settings
• Cookies policy

Get your tour dates seen everywhere.

• But we really hope you love us.

• Manage Account

Bon Jovi Heads Back on the Road This Spring: ‘We Have All Missed Touring’

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will hit U.S. arenas throughout April.

By Taylor Mims

Taylor Mims

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Email
• Print this article
• Share this article on Comment
• Share this article on Tumblr

Bon Jovi will be back on the road this spring with their 2022 North American tour. Produced by promoter Live Nation, the tour is scheduled to kick off April 1 in Omaha, Neb., at CHI Health Center.  

The 15-date trek will run through arenas in Minnesota, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri and more. Bon Jovi will make three stops in Texas before closing out the dates on April 30 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.   

See latest videos, charts and news

Jon Bon Jovi

“We have all missed  touring  and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band,” said Jon Bon Jovi in a release.  

Live Event Production Company Rock Lititz to Open 55-Acre Nashville Campus in 2025

The tour will be in support of the band’s most recent album 2020 , which was released in October 2020 and reached the top 20 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The band has also been working on new material over the course of the pandemic.   

In addition to new music, the band launched Bon Jovi radio on SiriusXM. The limited-run channel celebrates the career of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted group and features insight from Jon Bon Jovi and band members, as well as their crew. The channel also provides fans with exclusive weekly live concerts directly from the band’s archives.   

Trending on Billboard

The 2022 tour is sponsored by Hampton Water, a wine company founded by Jon Bon Jovi and his son, Jesse Bongiovi.   

Tickets will go on sale to the general public for most markets beginning Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. local time. Head to BonJovi.com for specific details on VIP packages as well as on-sale dates and timing. The JBJ Experience member pre-sale will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. local time. Check out a full list of dates below.  

It’s official! We’ll be headed back out on this road this April for the #BonJovi2022Tour . Pre-sales begin January 11th and tickets will be available to the public beginning January 14th. For more information on tickets and VIP, head to https://t.co/6OX1pkc5GD . See you soon! ❤️🗡 pic.twitter.com/HqJ1rGACMb — Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) January 7, 2022

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on.

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Culture Expand culture menu

Media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Get Up Anthems by Tres Expand get-up-anthems-by-tres menu

Honda music expand honda-music menu.

• Songs Almost Ruined Classic LPs
• Gilmour May Not Play Floyd
• Yes Kicks Off 2024 Tour
• AC/DC Auditioned Singer
• Foo Fighters Launch 2024 Tour
• Did Bon Jovi Risk Marriage?

Bon Jovi Announce Spring 2022 North American Tour

Bon Jovi have announced a North American arena tour for spring 2022.

The chart-topping rockers will kick off their monthlong trek on April 1 in Omaha, Neb., and conclude the run on April 30 in Nashville. Tickets for most dates will go on sale to the general public on Jan. 14. You can find more details at Bon Jovi's website and see the full list of tour dates below.

"We have all missed touring and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band," frontman Jon Bon Jovi said in a statement.

Bon Jovi's last tour took place in 2019 in support of their 2016 album,  This House Is Not for Sale . In 2020, the band released the aptly titled  2020 , a more contemplative and topical LP that addressed the coronavirus pandemic, mass shootings, Black Lives Matter protests and the murder of George Floyd .

"If it was up to me, I'd have all 10 songs [from  2020 ] in the show," the singer told UCR in 2020. "And obviously I want to play 'Living on a Prayer' and 'Wanted Dead or Alive' every night, but my fans are accepting of the new records. And while they may not be on Top 40 radio, the albums still always come in at No. 1. We've been blessed to stay pretty current for a kind of classic, vintage band. We are in that rarefied air with a handful of guys that I always looked up to who still make No. 1 records and want to write new songs."

Bon Jovi 2022 North American Tour April 1 - Omaha, NE @ CHI Health Center April 3 - St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center April 5 - Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum April 8 - Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center April 9 - Raleigh, NC @ PNC Arena April 11 - Greenville, SC @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena April 13 - Savannah, GA @ Enmarket Arena April 15 - Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena April 16 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ FLA Live Arena April 19 - Indianapolis, IN @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse April 21 - St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center April 23 - Austin, TX @ Moody Center April 26 - Houston, TX @ Toyota Center April 28 - Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center April 30 - Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena

Top 30 Glam Metal Albums

More from ultimate classic rock.

Bon Jovi Announces American Tour Starting in April, Despite Omicron Surge

By Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

• Music Industry Moves: Skylar Simone Signs With Def Jam, Drops D’Mile-Produced Single; Steve Redmond Exits BMG 2 days ago
• Live Nation Reports Biggest-Ever First Quarter With $3.8 Billion, on Track for ‘Record 2024’ 2 days ago
• Read Universal Music CEO Lucian Grainge’s Letter to Staff on TikTok Settlement: ‘Human Artistry Must Be Respected’ 3 days ago

Displaying a characteristic damn-the-torpedoes spirit in the face of the omicron surge, Bon Jovi has announced dates for an American tour beginning in April.

The recent omicron surge has caused the cancellation or postponement of multiple events — most recently Dead and Company’s Playing in the Sand festival in Mexico, which was canceled Thursday, a day before it was scheduled to begin , after guitarist John Mayer and multiple members of the touring team tested positive.

Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi tested positive for COVID-19 in October, forcing the cancellation of tour dates.

Regardless, the Bon Jovi 2022 Tour, produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Hampton Water, is slated to begin on April Fool’s Day in Omaha. Tickets will go on sale to the general public for most markets beginning Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. local time. The JBJ Experience member pre-sale will begin Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. local time.

“We have all missed touring and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band,” said Jon Bon Jovi in the tour announcement. Reps for the band did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

Popular on Variety

TOUR ITINERARY:

Friday, April 1                         Omaha, NE                 CHI Health Center

Sunday, April 3                       St. Paul, MN                Xcel Energy Center

Tuesday, April 5                     Milwaukee, WI            Fiserv Forum*

Friday, April 8                         Charlotte, NC              Spectrum Center

Saturday, April 9                    Raleigh, NC                PNC Arena

Monday, April 11                    Greenville, SC            Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Wednesday, April 13              Savannah, GA            Enmarket Arena

Friday, April 15                       Tampa, FL                   Amalie Arena

Saturday, April 16                  Ft. Lauderdale, FL      FLA Live Arena

Tuesday, April 19                   Indianapolis, IN          Gainbridge Fieldhouse*

Thursday, April 21                  St. Louis, MO              Enterprise Center

Saturday, April 23                  Austin, TX                   Moody Center

Tuesday, April 26                   Houston, TX                Toyota Center^

Thursday, April 28                  Dallas, TX                   American Airlines Center

Saturday, April 30                  Nashville, TN              Bridgestone Arena^

*On-Sale date January 21 st

^On-Sale date February 4 th

More From Our Brands

‘snl’ weekend update trashes courtroom trump, puppy killer kristi noem, savannah vs. charleston: which southern city has the best luxury hotels, mystik dan wins 2024 kentucky derby in photo finish, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, snl video: an exhausted jerry seinfeld drops by weekend update with a message for ryan gosling, verify it's you, please log in.

• Album Release Calendar
• Festival Guide
• Heavy History

Bon Jovi Reveal April 2022 U.S. Headline Tour Dates

It's time for Bon Jovi to rock more faces in 2022. The band just announced a 15-date spring tour that will spool out over the course of April 2022.

The run will start on April 1 in Omaha, Nebraska, hitting mostly the eastern, midwestern and southern U.S. before wrapping on April 30 in Nashville, Tennessee. See all of the dates, cities and venues listed below.

"It’s official! We’ll be headed back out on the road this April for the #BonJovi2022Tour," stated the group via their social media . "Pre-sales begin Jan. 11 and tickets will be available to the public beginning Jan. 14. See you soon!"

You can get additional ticketing information at the band's website .

Bon Jovi's most recent album was 2020 , fittingly released in the fall of 2020.

Bon Jovi 2022 U.S. Tour

April 01 - Omaha, Neb. @ CHI Health Center April 03 - St. Paul, Minn. @ Xcel Energy Center April 05 - Milwaukee, Wis. @ Fiserv Forum April 08 - Charlotte, N.C. @ Spectrum Center April 09 - Raleigh, N.C. @ PNC Arena April 11 - GreeNville, S.C. @ Bon Secours Wellness Arena April 13 - Savannah, Ga. @ Enmarket Arena April 15 - Tampa, Fla. @ Amalie Arena April 16 - Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. @ FLA Live Arena April 19 - Indianapolis, Ind. @ Gainbridge Fieldhouse April 21 - St. Louis, Mo. @ Enterprise Center April 23 - Austin, Texas @ Moody Center April 26 - Houston, Texas @ Toyota Center April 28 - Dallas, Texas @ American Airlines Center April 30 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Bridgestone Arena

Ranking New Jersey's 25 Best Rock + Metal Bands

More from loudwire.

Bon Jovi announce 2022 US tour

Bon Jovi's 2022 North American arena tour will take place in April

Bon Jovi have announced a US arena tour for 2022. The run of 15 shows kicks off at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, NE, on April 1, and climaxes on April 30 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.  

"We have all missed touring." said frontman Jon Bon Jovi, "and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band." 

In 2020 Bon Jovi made the decision to cancel their entire summer tour rather than postpone it, allowing fans to use refunds for essential bills and shopping during lockdown. The band had lined up a total of 18 shows with special guest  Bryan Adams . 

The new run of dates does not replicate the 2020 itinerary, with no shows as yet scheduled in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Chicago, Detroit or Boston.    

Pre-sales will start on January 12 , with tickets on sale to the general public two days later.

Bon Jovi 2022 US Tour

Apr 01: Omaha CHI Health Center, NE Apr 03: St. Paul Xcel Energy Center, MN Apr 05: Milwaukee Fiserv Forum, WI Apr 08: Charlotte Spectrum Center, NC Apr 09: Raleigh PNC Arena, NC Apr 11: Greenville Bon Secours Wellness Arena, SC Apr 13: Savannah Enmarket Arena, GA Apr 15: Tampa Amalie Arena, FL Apr 16: Ft. Lauderdale FLA Live Arena, FL Apr 19: Indianapolis Gainbridge Fieldhouse, IN Apr 21: St. Louis Enterprise Center, MO Apr 23: Austin Moody Center, TX Apr 26: Houston Toyota Center, TX Apr 28: Dallas American Airlines Center, TX Apr 30: Nashville Bridgestone Arena, TN

Classic Rock Newsletter

Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Online Editor at Louder/Classic Rock magazine since 2014. 38 years in music industry, online for 25. Also bylines for: Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, The Word Magazine, The Guardian, The New Statesman, Saga, Music365. Former Head of Music at Xfm Radio, A&R at Fiction Records, early blogger, ex-roadie, published author. Once appeared in a Cure video dressed as a cowboy, and thinks any situation can be improved by the introduction of cats. Favourite Serbian trumpeter: Dejan Petrović.  

"I was so ****ed they called it punk!" Kerry King reveals the pop punk legends he's excited to see live this summer - even if he doesn't always agree with their genre label

“They couldn’t get the chicken feathers and blood cleaned up quick enough”: the epic story of Motorhead in the 21st century

"In a way, I can hear that song now as the end of an era": Billy Corgan on the Smashing Pumpkins classic that put a stop to one era of the band

Most Popular

View Article ‣

Today marks a thrilling moment for Bon Jovi fans worldwide as the highly anticipated documentary series, "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story." Is released on Hulu.

The docu-series promises an intimate, raw and compelling look into the legendary rock band's journey through their over 40 year career. It takes viewers behind the scenes, from their humble beginnings in New Jersey to becoming one of the most iconic rock bands in history. Through exclusive interviews, never-before-seen footage, and candid moments with band members, the documentary captures the highs, lows, and pivotal moments that shaped their music and legacy.

LISTEN TO “LEGENDARY”    |    WATCH OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

PRE-ORDER FOREVER HERE

BON JOVI , Grammy Award®-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, and one of history’s most iconic acts, continues their 40th anniversary celebration, with the release of “Legendary,” new single + video out now via Island Records. The monumental new track sets the stage for BON JOVI’s upcoming 16th studio album, FOREVER , arriving on June 7, 2024. The new album is now available for pre-order HERE where fans can find exclusive colored vinyl options, CDs, cassettes, and limited edition signed copies. An extremely limited run of Ocean Waves colored vinyl will include a one-of-a-kind instant photo of Jon.

In conjunction with last month’s 66th annual Grammy Awards®, Jon Bon Jovi was named 2024 MusiCares Person Of The Year and was honored with an all-star tribute concert at the L.A. Convention Center featuring Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Melissa Etheridge, Sammy Hagar, Jason Isbell, Jelly Roll, Pat Monahan of Train, and many others.

“This record is a return to joy. From the writing, through the recording process, this is turn up the volume, feel good Bon Jovi,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

The commemoration of BON JOVI’s 40th anniversary year continues tonight at the SXSW Conference, when HULU premieres Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. The career-spanning four-part docu-series will have its official debut on HULU on April 26th. This marks the first-ever docu-series on the band’s history that has been made with full cooperation from all past and present members of BON JOVI. The docu-series is a ROS production, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra. For further info, please see the HULU press announcement HERE .

BON JOVI: FOREVER – track listing

• We Made It Look Easy
• Living Proof
• Kiss The Bride
• The People’s House
• Walls Of Jericho
• I Wrote You A Song
• Living In Paradise
• My First Guitar

“The Fastest Seats in Sports” on Sunday March 10 were occupied by none other than Jon Bon Jovi, and four-time winner of the indy 500 Helio Castroneves. The two of them paced the field during race warmup laps at the Firestone Grand Prix in St Petersburg, Florida. “Crazy” Jon said of the experience “This was a chance of a lifetime” and after asking if he’d like to come back to race he quipped “How about I buy a team, we’ll start there”

That wasn’t where the Bon Jovi take-over ended either. Driver Felix Rosenqvist was on the front row of the starting line as the race was just about to begin, his Indycar decked out in SiriusXM Bon Jovi Radio decals, and Hampton Water Wine, the award winning rosé owned and operated by Jon’s son Jesse.

Then engines roared, and the race was on, speeding into the Florida afternoon.

MusiCares named Jon Bon Jovi as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year. He is the honoree of the 33rd annual Person of the Year benefit gala. Proceeds from the event provide essential support for MusiCares, the leading music charity providing music professionals health and human services across a spectrum of needs. The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute ceremony is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week.

Bon Jovi, Brandy Clark, Damiano David of Måneskin, Melissa Etheridge, Goo Goo Dolls, Sammy Hagar, Jason Isbell, Jelly Roll, Marcus King, Larkin Poe, Mammoth WVH, Pat Monahan, Orianthi, Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, The War and Treaty, and Lainey Wilson performed at the MusiCares tribute to Bon Jovi’s legacy and his impact on rock and roll since the 1983 inception of his eponymous band. The benefit gala was hosted by GRAMMY-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan. Joining the evening’s host were presenters Gayle King and GRAMMY Award-winning musician Kylie Minogue.

“MusiCares is thrilled to honor Jon Bon Jovi at the 2024 Person of the Year Gala,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “His remarkable contributions to rock and roll have not only left an indelible mark on the music industry, but also in the hearts of countless fans around the world. Furthermore, his long-standing commitment to serving food insecure and unhoused individuals inspires us all. We’re looking forward to celebrating him and the many ways he has made a difference in this world.”

In addition to his extensive musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is recognized for his impactful philanthropic work. In 2006, he established the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, an organization dedicated to disrupting the cycle of hunger, poverty and homelessness. The organization’s objective is to recognize and maximize the human potential in those affected by hunger, poverty and homelessness by offering programs that provide food and affordable housing while supporting social services and job training programs. As a health and human service charity, MusiCares is proud to shine a light on Jon Bon Jovi’s impactful philanthropy and hopes to raise awareness for these important human rights issues.

“I’m truly humbled to be this year’s MusiCares honoree. MusiCares’ work with music professionals is vitally important in creating much needed support and wellness programs that cultivate a healthier and more vibrant community for us all.” said Jon Bon Jovi. “Philanthropic work has been a cornerstone of my life and has always run in tandem to my music career and achievements. Nearly two decades ago when I formed the JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchens, I saw firsthand and continue to see today the impact of charitable community-based work. I know this for sure: helping one’s community is helping one’s self.”

Since 1991, money raised from this gala goes toward MusiCares health and human services programs that assist the music community with physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies, and disaster relief.

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band BON JOVI commemorates the 40th anniversary of its self-titled debut with the digital release of BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION on all streaming platforms, an exclusive limited-edition ruby color vinyl LP, and limited-edition cassette.

BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION consists of the remastered original album in addition to a total of nine bonus tracks, including unreleased studio recordings and four rare live cuts. Jon Bon Jovi co-produced BON JOVI DELUXE EDITION alongside longtime sound engineer Obie O’Brien who also mixed the bonus material.

Remastered from the original tapes, the limited-edition ruby color vinyl of the band’s original 9-track LP boasts an alternate cover design, high-end tip-on jacket, and an exclusive lithograph of an early Ross Halfin photo session.

Finally, the limited-edition cassette features all of the original album tracks with an enhanced design that now includes lyrics and the original band photo from the LP’s inner sleeve, elements missing from the original U.S. cassette release.

Listen & Pre-Order Now: https://bonjovi.lnk.to/BonJovi40

Hulu is about to (willingly) take some bad medicine.

The streamer has acquired a four-part series about Bon Jovi. Titled Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, the project comes from Gotham Chopra’s Religion of Sports banner and will chronicle the mega-selling arena rock band’s 40-year run of riding steel horses and giving love a bad name.

Thank You, Goodnight is also the first retrospective on Bon Jovi’s history that will feature participation from all present and past members of the band. It’s set to premiere April 26 on Hulu in the United States and later in the year on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in the rest of the world.

The announcement comes on the 40th anniversary of the release of Bon Jovi’s self-titled first album, which peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200 chart. Two years later, the band’s Slippery When Wet exploded, spending eight weeks at No. 1 and selling 12 million-plus copies on the backs of singles like “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” The band has placed 13 albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200.

The docuseries will cover those highs, as well as low points and “public moments of friction” in the band via interviews with lead singer Jon Bon Jovi and other band members, personal videos, unreleased demos, lyrics and previously unseen photos.

Thank You, Goodnight is directed and executive produced by Chopra (Kobe Bryant’s Muse, Man in the Arena). Giselle Parets and Ameeth Sankaran of Religion of Sports also executive produce. Alex Trudeau Viriato produced and edited the series.

Article Link: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bon-jovi-documentary-hulu-1235803400/

Photo Credit: KOH HASEBE/SHINKO MUSIC/GETTY

Arena rock is a genre of music that will never die, as long as crowds convene inside hockey arenas around the country to sing along to our favorite anthems from our favorite artists. That’s exactly what took place when Bon Jovi kicked off their 2022 tour in Omaha, NE at the CHI Health Center on Friday, April 1st, for their first public in-person concert since the pandemic started.

Bon Jovi brought their New Jersey flare to the heartland, led by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is an expert showman, first and foremost. He has a young soul to him, and on Friday, he pulled off an incredible Mick Jagger-like crowd control with the audience that was both engaging and entertaining.

It was also Bon Jovi’s first official concert since the pandemic started – they’d had to cancel a planned 2020 run – and it was clear they were very excited to finally play in front of a crowd. “It’s been a long time since I said good evening,” said Bon Jovi, before they kicked into “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

As for the rest of the band, they were in top form. Phil X has had some major shoes to fill playing lead guitar for over five years, but he does it flawlessly. During “Keep the Faith,” he impressively went through three guitars during the whole song, breaking one of the strings during the process. Elsewhere, Tico Torres was a beast behind the drum kit, while you can hear David Bryan’s signature synth sound from a mile away. Also, is it possible for guitarist/producer John Shanks to be made a permanent member of Bon Jovi? The man shared lead guitar duties and was a phenomenal rhythm player, earning the spotlight more than once during his guitar solos.

The band also paid tribute to Ukraine, performing “It’s My Life,” a song that has been adopted as an anthem for Ukrainians, and “We Don’t Run,” which was being filmed as part of a Global Citizen special. Elsewhere, they dusted off songs released over the past couple of decades, including five cuts from their latest album, 2020, with Jon Bon Jovi stating he is “proud of this album.”

Finally, they ended their main set with the iconic “Livin’ On a Prayer,” which immediately had the whole arena singing in unison. At last, it was time for the two-song encore, starting with “Love’s the Only Rule” and ending with “Bad Medicine.”

Bon Jovi remain one of the most influential rock bands, while proving arena rock is far from dead. Sometimes, you just want to sing along to a great hook, and that’s exactly what you’ll get on this run.

Tickets for the rest of the tour are available via Ticketmaster and BonJovi.com.

Consequence of Sound article: https://consequence.net/2022/04/bon-jovi-concert-review-2022-tour-setlist-photos/

Photos Credit: Dustin Jack

(February 16, 2022) – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi announced today the chance for local bands across the country to perform on the highly anticipated Bon Jovi 2022 Tour. Bands are encouraged to submit an audition video of original music for the chance to open for the band at a concert stop on the tour. One local band will be selected for each tour date. For more information and to upload a submission, visit www.bonjovi.com/openingact

The Bon Jovi 2022 Tour will launch this spring in arenas nationwide. Tickets and VIP packages are on sale now. Click here for tickets and more information.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi announced today the Bon Jovi 2022 Tour, produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Hampton Water. The tour is scheduled for arenas this coming Spring. Tickets will go on-sale to the general public for most markets beginning Friday, January 14th at 10:00am local time. For early access to ticket and VIP packages, The JBJ Experience member pre-sale will begin on Tuesday, January 11th at 10:00am local time.

The band spent much of the past two years recording and releasing new music, while also creating livestream performance content and launching Bon Jovi radio for their fans. Bon Jovi’s 2020 was one of the most critically acclaimed album releases of that year with USA Today calling it “BRILLIANT” and Associated Press highlighting the depth of lyrics within the songs that “chronicle pain, loss, fear and death from the coronavirus, police killings and mass shootings.”

Bon Jovi remains one of the most prolific and sought-after tour tickets in live music today, and getting back on tour was a top priority for the band. “We have all missed touring and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

TOUR DATES:

* On-Sale date January 21st ^ On-Sale date February 4th

The JBJ Experience member pre-sale for Milwaukee and Indianapolis will begin on Tuesday, January 18 at 10am local time and will go on sale to the general public on Friday, January 21 at 10am local time.

The JBJ Experience member pre-sale for Houston and Nashville will begin on Tuesday, February 1 at 10am local time and will go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 4 at 10am local time.

View the article here:

https://variety.com/2021/music/spotlight/intrepid-museum-gala-jon-bon-jovi-iheartradio-bob-pittman-veterans-1235105256/

On October 1, Diana: The Musical will debut on Netflix. Diana features music and lyrics by our very own David Bryan, and Joe DiPietro.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer   Jon Bon Jovi   will sit down for an exclusive interview March 20 with Spotify’s head of rock, Allison Hagendorf, for “ AXS TV   Presents: A Conversation With Jon Bon Jovi,” followed by the broadcast premiere of the band’s only concert performance of 2020, “On A Night Like This — Bon Jovi 2020.”

“We released our new album during such a unique year and without a tour we had to find a different way to perform these songs for our fans,” said Bon Jovi. “AXS TV has been a great partner and I’m looking forward to everyone getting the chance to watch this special showcasing the band’s first and only time performing 2020 live together.”

The pre-show event will air prior of the broadcast premiere of “On A Night Like This – Bon Jovi 2020” at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT. Filmed in quarantine in a studio in Nashville, the film features first-time performances of tracks from the band’s 15th studio album, “2020,” including “Limitless,” “Beautiful Drug” and “Do What You Can.” The film offers fans a glimpse into how the band managed and weathered the storm during a global pandemic, with backstage footage and interviews interspersed throughout the film.

The wide-ranging interview with Hagendorf will explore the past year, with a focus on how Bon Jovi navigated the musical waters in unprecedented times, which resulted in the band delaying the release of its record, cancellation of a tour and Bon Jovi writing two songs inspired by the unfolding events in the nation. The chat will also delve into how the band was able to eventually find a way to film the concert and segments for “On A Night Like This,” and Bon Jovi’s personal focus on passion projects doing his own part to help with the Covid-19 crisis. As a bonus, viewers can submit their own questions in an AXS TV sweepstakes, where several will be selected to be answered in a “Fans Ask” segment.

“I first interviewed Jon nearly a decade ago in New York, and it is truly an honor to have the opportunity to sit down with him once again,” said Hagendorf, host of the Spotify podcast “Rock This With Allison Hagendorf.” “It is such a treat for fans, including myself, to hear firsthand about the band’s personal journey during this challenging past year. I was fascinated to learn how these moments, both big and small, culminated into their latest body of work, and I cannot wait to share it with AXS TV’s audience when the interview premieres on March 20.”

“AXS TV has quickly risen as a premier multiplatform brand sought out by acclaimed artists and entertainers. We are proud to be able to offer them strong promotional partnerships such as this, which empower them to share their latest projects directly with a massive audience of dedicated music enthusiasts,” said Sarah Weidman, head of original programming, development and multi-platform content for AXS TV. “AXS TV is honored to join forces with Bon Jovi to bring ‘On A Night Like This’ to television for the first time as part of a multiplatform event — giving our viewers the best seat in the house for an unforgettable evening featuring an exclusive interview with Jon Bon Jovi followed by a unique performance from one of rock’s most legendary bands.”

Both the interview and the concert will be available across all AXS TV digital platforms immediately following the broadcast premiere, with an encore presentation airing Sunday, March 21 at 10 p.m. ET on AXS TV.

(February 18, 2021)   – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band BON JOVI releases a new video for their current single   “STORY OF LOVE”   off the band’s critically acclaimed fifteenth studio album   2020 .  True to the lyrics, the video takes a deeply personal look at songwriter Jon Bon Jovi’s family life with never-before-revealed family photos and home videos.  The video will premiere on YouTube this Thursday at 12:30pm ET and Jon will be live on YouTube answer fan questions starting at 12pm ET.  The video can be seen   HERE .

“Although I wrote “Story of Love” about my family, I hope when people listen to the song and watch the video, they will see themselves and their family,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

About Bon Jovi: Over an illustrious career spanning more than three decades since their formation in 1983, Bon Jovi has earned their place among global rock royalty and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, and extensive catalog of hit anthems, thousands of concerts performed in more than 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and ticket grosses well over $1 billion around the world in the last decade alone.  Bon Jovi is the consummate rock and roll band.

Bon Jovi has never released an official holiday album, but Jon Bon Jovi is gifting fans this year with not one, not two, but three holiday songs for them to enjoy. The songs are covers of Tom Petty's "Christmas All Over Again," The Pogues' "Fairytale of   New York " and "If I Get Home on   Christmas   Day," which was recorded by Elvis Presley on the 1971 album "Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas." Petty's "Christmas All Over Again" is a 1992 song that appeared on both the charity album "A Very Special Christmas 2" and on the soundtrack for "Home Alone 2: Lost In New York." The Pogues' song, which is a duet with late singer Kirsty MacColl, came out in 1987, but was recently in the headlines due to the BBC's Radio 1 announcing last month that it would only play a censored version of the song, removing several offensive words in lyrics. In his version, Bon Jovi has gotten around that by rewriting the lyrics to remove the offending words. The music videos for the songs are exclusively available to members of the JBJ Experience Fan Club.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jon Bon Jovi (@jonbonjovi)

NEW YORK, NY – Last week Bon Jovi’s concert documentary On A Night Like This – Bon Jovi 2020 was seen by more than one million viewers who tuned into the Bon Jovi Facebook page to watch the band’s first-ever full album performance of their critically acclaimed release 2020. This week, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jon Bon Jovi is giving fans an early holiday gift with the release of three holiday songs: “Christmas All Over Again,” “Fairytale of New York,” and “If I Get Home on Christmas Day,” available Monday, December 7th on all streaming and digital platforms. Recorded this Fall to cap off the 2020 holiday season, the song’s accompanying music videos can be seen exclusively by members of the “The JBJ Experience” which also features outtakes and never-before-seen content on https://www.bonjovi.com/pages/fan-club .

About Bon Jovi:

Over an illustrious career spanning more than three decades since their formation in 1983, Bon Jovi has earned their place among global rock royalty and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, and extensive catalog of hit anthems, thousands of concerts performed in more than 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and ticket grosses well over $1 billion around the world in the last decade alone. Bon Jovi is the consummate rock and roll band.

Sometimes it takes an artist to reflect an event back at us, so we can truly see and feel it. It could be a photo taken by a journalist or a witness, like the   Falling Man   from 9/11. Or it could be a film, like Spike Lee’s   When the Levees Broke , which brought home the reality left in Katrina’s wake. This year, Jon Bon Jovi’s trying to show us who we are with his new album   2020 , which tackles the pandemic, political divisiveness, and police violence, among other fractures in the current American landscape. It’s his attempt to, as he puts it, “bear witness to history.”

This is Bon Jovi’s second record since longtime writing partner and guitarist Richie Sambora abruptly left the band during a world tour back in 2013, amid some personal challenges and family struggles. He talks about   2020   as his first time stepping out from behind the rock star person, and it’s a more personal, less glam record than we’ve heard from him before.

But this is still Jon Bon Jovi:   2020   opens strong (first words: “Wake up!”) and grabs you immediately with its straightforward pop-rock clarity. The album is unusual and maybe necessary and inspiring—it became a kind of personal musical life raft this summer during a difficult stretch for my family. When I watched Jon perform ‘Do What You Can’ and ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ for a benefit he organized for first responders and front-line workers in his home state of New Jersey this summer, it felt as if Bon Jovi could connect the dots between the different voices struggling to be heard in America, and help lead by example through this tumultuous time.

Bon Jovi has also put his money where there were suddenly more mouths to feed than ever and fewer hands to do the work. Since March, both he and his wife could be found most days at the two community restaurants and massive food bank supported by his foundation near his homes in hard-hit New Jersey and Long Island. During the unending months of lockdown, he helped support thousands who needed it, and now he’s delivered a credible soundtrack of American life this year. GQ spoke to Bon Jovi about   2020   and 2020.

GQ: What was the process for this record, now that you’re calling all the shots?

Jon Bon Jovi : Well, I turned the record in and then Covid happened and shut the world down. So I knew that if I was gonna have a topical record in 2020, I better write a Covid song. That’s ‘Do What you Can.’

I was inspired by the health care workers, the students who sacrificed, the grocery store clerk who became an essential worker, the caregiver, the unsung heroes who stepped up to help their neighbors and those who simply wore a mask, not because it was a political tool but because it was a sign of respect for their fellow man.

Then of course the George Floyd incident hit, BLM, so then I sat down to write ‘American Reckoning’ and, finally, at that time I said Amen, the album is now complete. I took the two, let’s call them love songs, off the record and put on ‘Do What You Can’ and ‘American Reckoning’ and I said now there is my   2020.

You say that as if it’s easy to write pop songs about a pandemic and systemic racism and police violence.

I think experience has probably given me that ability, to be honest. Now I find that I have nothing left to really prove, and I have nothing to hide. And the world is in such a place that I felt that I could bear witness to history, as long as I was willing to   be   that witness. I am but a witness to history.

The events I touched on in   2020   touched me. Topics such as veterans dealing with PTSD, gun control, inequality, racial injustice, and many others have an unbiased seat at this table. I didn't take sides on any of these important issues. I just reported on them factually. That was my technique throughout the process. Make it very obvious what the song is about and where I stand, but don't wave a finger, don't be accusatory, that was what I set out to do.

Truthfully, I'm at a point in my career where I know what I do for a living but it doesn't define me; it’s just what I do.

Do what you can. So, what does define you, as a man?

Well, being a father, being a philanthropist. Being the guy that was working in the food bank today and needs a shower desperately and probably should see a doctor for the fuckin hernia that I’m sure I have [laughs].

The model at my restaurants, JBJ Soul Kitchen, is that those in need volunteer for their meals and earn a certificate that will feed up to four family members. Due to the pandemic, we couldn't have any volunteers work. But we still had mouths to feed. So Dorothea and I worked five days a week for two months before we went to Long Island and opened a food bank that fed 6,000 people a month there.

From May through the summer, we worked there every day we were open. We’ve been working since the pandemic began, whether it was at the Soul Kitchen or at the foodbank here on Long Island, giving the food to seven pantries that myself and our foundation have been funding.

When you consider the people who are hungry, they dont give a shit that I play music [laughs]; they’re grateful that I'm the guy that’s giving them the palette of food every week. They   never   ask me about a record. They ask me about, you know, “Is the egg noodles coming next week?” “Are we getting more fruit?” And that’s what I did this morning, from about seven o’clock today till about noon.

The lyrics include what seems like fairly religious imagery: “On a night like this, one prayer, one wish,” “Is there something more? There is an open door, What are you waiting for?” Was that intentional or connected to all this somehow?

I came through that very Catholic upbringing. I went in and out of Catholic school a couple times and did have a problem with what had become the organized Catholic church, the stuff with the priests and altar boys. Not personally mind you. It was from the outside looking in, I wasn’t touched by it. We were removed from it.

Eventually I found spirituality. And now I think that I revert back to, whether it’s just prayer and my connection, for a yearning for that kind of simpler time of my youth? But I do it more now than I ever did. I look toward some kind of higher power.

Someone else I interviewed recently told me he’d finally started trying to “pray into himself.”

Yeah, I think that’s right. You know, shine a light within and that will shine outwardly and enlighten your actions and how you reach the world around you.

Like the line “shine a light” in “American Reckoning.” Who is the record for?  

Me! [laughs] For me. I did this record to get back to the reason why I wanted to do it again. I’d been going through a tough period. In light of what happened with Richie and his kids, his leaving us like that, and not staying to talk. It was very hard for all of us. And it took its toll on me.

The band is a family inasmuch as we had grown up together, done everything together, we had ups and downs, but we never deserted the ship. Whether it was work, or the death of parents or divorces or fame or confusion. We had alcoholism, it got to the point where we had to make decisions that weren’t in the interests of the band, that was for sure.

And so anyhow we came through it. And   This House Is Not for Sale   [the first release after Sambora left the band] was a kind of waving my fists in the air, saying “I refuse to let my house crumble,” but it’s tough finding people who want to go out there and then showing them how to play the songs and write the songs and have something to say.

It certainly wasn't going to be a big pop record because I’m just not in that place. So then I needed to get in touch with that gift that I have for writing songs. So I’ve worked   very   hard, whether it was on the record or lately on myself or my relationship with Tico and Dave, so that we got stronger as a unit. And it turned out to be really great, because we got tighter and as a result we felt we, the collective we, did no wrong.

In a strange way my forgiveness for Richie allowed me to grow, and David to grow, and Tico to grow into who we are today. Because we were forced down a different road. You don’t blame someone for that, you sort of have to say thank you, because it helps you continue your little journey. Sometimes someone has to get off an exit in order for you to continue this journey.

There was no fourth leg on the table. And by the way, we had 80 more shows left on that tour. But we did it. And it was   very successful .

Having been through this personal rough patch, I really want to know: What’s your philosophy of life these days?

Philosophy? I think that my goal is just to try to be a better version of myself every day. Just try to do something to better yourself. Even if that something is just... sleep. You know? Just something to make yourself better, I don’t mean a better singer or a better rock star. A better person.

That’s important, especially now. I’ll be honest: I’ve had a very tough year myself. Middle age is rough. You got the kids to take care of, the parents getting older—you’re in the “middle.”

Yeah. How old are you?

A lot happens between 48 and 58. I sort of joke that 50 is the last decadent birthday, but by 58 you have a different kind of perspective. And I’m not old enough to start thinking about mortality, I think that’s still another ten, twelve years ahead of me, but the idea that we’re not the kid in the room anymore.

48, 58—you’re sort of accomplishing or have accomplished the great things that you’re gonna do, and that’s all well and good, but what matters more is what you’re building with your family. Because those two chapters, you can’t fuck up either one of those or they’re gonna scar you.

Fix those circumstances and get them right now, start writing your own chapters. Live with them. Make them something worth reading again.

How are your kids?

No real problems. Stephanie is doing well and works in television. The youngest is fully committed to playing the guitar and wanting to learn how to write. He just took a step where he can really play the guitar. That’s what came out of Covid for him, six months in the wood shed. Jake is gonna go to Syracuse for acting. He spent the past year studying. And Jesse has the wine business—very successful, if you like a good rosé.

We talked about family, religion, music—Jersey law requires me to ask you about football and politics. I know you’re a fan of at least one of those things. But you seem to code switch between worlds and get along with lots of different people.

I don’t think that I get along with lots of different people [laughs]. But yeah, football was something that was a common thread in our house, whether it was my father or my uncle, you could find them Sunday watching the Giants. And then my relationships through my celebrity allowed me to meet people on the Giants, which then led me to my relationship with a young man who is now an old man by the name of Bill Belichick. Last night I had dinner with Robert Kraft, who is one of my dearest friends.

Is he still mad at Tom Brady?

He’s not mad at Tommy! No!

Unlike football, politics is not anything I ever grew up with. My family was not involved at all. My wife’s family was probably more involved in politics. And we’ve met a number of politicians over the years. Whether the current governor, or the previous governor, Chris Christie.

I’m friendly with Chris. Although we didn't have to agree with each other’s politics all the time, we could certainly talk as fellow New Jerseyites with things in common that we wanted to do for people there. So you could have a conversation with somebody, regardless of what side you’re on.

Do you think people are still listening to each other? Are you worried about the current political climate? You have a song on the record, “Blood in the Water,” about it.

I think the division that’s evolved in the last four to six years is an America that I'm afraid for. Bickering among political themes has become something that’s dividing families—parents and kids, husbands and wives. I’m worried about how we come together as a country. [A silent pause.] I’m so scared. I’m so scared. I’m scared. 

Yeah. Me too.

When I grew up, the idea of the middle class in Sayreville, it was hardworking, blue collar, really white, but a really good hardworking solid town made up of second-generation, primarily European immigrants. Believed in this kind of John Kennedy mantra of we can do anything we wanna do, we can go to the moon, and so I grew up in this very innocent wonderful kind of time. And then I came to be old enough to vote and Ronald Reagan was telling everybody that there should be a car in every driveway and a chicken in every pot, telling Gorbachev to tear down that wall. It certainly wasn't the day and age my kids are growing up in now.

But it also allowed us to dream ridiculously big, because we didn't know any better. You know I’ve told this story many times before: Bono grew up thinking about the Orangemen marching, and we grew up thinking about Little League and Pop Warner. It was many years after the race riots, many many years after the work of MLK, RFK, Malcolm X. It was a different era.

Now my kid just graduated from college. Those poor kids missed out on graduation, the prom, turned 18 at home, given one hour of outdoor time, they were born out of 9/11. That’s a shit hand to be dealt. But on the other hand, I think they’re going to be that next great generation, because they have to be. Are they going to have the same opportunities? What are the chances they’re going to have a chance to sell 130 million albums?

Is that possibility even out there anymore? How different are things now?

The pandemic changed lives. Everyone has their own story. And hopefully out of a crisis comes the next generation’s innovators, inspired, and engaged, ready to lead by example and move into an era of ‘we,’ not ‘me.’

This interview has been edited and condensed.

His chagrin turned to songs.

“American Reckoning.” “Lower The Flag.” “Brothers In Arms.” “Unbroken.” “Let It Rain.” “Blood In The Water.” There’s a tension to them, a sense of a live electric wire down on a rain-covered street; dangerous, hard to handle, yet the sparking wire absolutely must be addressed. If “Limitless” and “Do What You Can” took on “Livin’ On A Prayer” faith and positivity, while “Beautiful Drug” and “Story of Love” offered the realities of how  all  the different kinds of love unfold for classic Bon Jovi fans, the 58-year old rocker needed more from  2020 . Not just more “hey, watch me be serious,” or “hey! let me be a big rock star!!!” more, but more helping people shake off the stupor induced by emotional-button-pushing so they could plug into their fellow humans.

“I set out to make a topical record,” concedes the earworm king of “It’s My Life,” and “You Give Love A Bad Name” on the phone from Jersey. “The first song was ‘Blood in the Water’ two years ago. The names have changed, but the story hasn’t…

“Because the song’s not just a moment in time, I wondered ‘Would it be dated?’ It starts with Storme Daniels and the line ‘a storm is coming…’ – and it’s not (dated).

“The immigration problem with kids in cages, Russian hacks, which we’re going to be seeing again. At one point, it’s Guiliani or Barr, Michael Cohen, all the people who’ve stood up for him…”

Not that he’s taking sides. Aware enough to know, he realizes preaching to the choir doesn’t help.

“I’m just the narrator. You know my position, there’s no need to go there. But ‘Lower the Flag,’ ‘American Reckoning,’ just the facts tell the story,” he pauses, thinking about the conflicting voices and confusion around all of us. Left, right, liberal, conservative, Republican, Democrat, Independent, Anarchist, Kanye: so many points of view, so little grounding.

“I don’t know where to tell you to view the unspun truth. Either side of the aisle, the news, social media, it’s hard to find the truth. We’re politically divided, and unable to have testing because no one wants to find the common ground.

“But what if this – any of these songs – happened to someone in your life?”

Empathy. Not a buzzword for ‘80s and ‘90s arena rockers, yet “Unbroken” found him working to understand the reality of PTSD, injured vets and the power of service animals. He admits, “I never served. This came from a phone call from my publisher, asking if I’d be interested in writing a song for a small documentary about soldiers with PTSD…”

Not even edited, the director shared a couple clips, sent over some facts, talked about the mission of both the film and the story being told. In a world often looking away from those who served, Bon Jovi – whose parents met in the Marines – knew the landmines would be in repeating the canon of post-military songs.

“I was very conscious of Billy Joel’s ‘Saigon,’ Bruce’s ‘Born in the USA,’ ‘Sam Stone,’ but the kids in this movie… they weren’t drafted, they signed up for a better way of life. When they put on that uniform, it was something they’re so identified by and with,  when you take it away from them, it’s like Superman’s cape is gone.

“So in talking to some of the people, someone told me, ‘You’re either broken, or you’re put back together.’ That struck me, so I made it a hymn, or a prayer for all of us.”

A prayer for all of us. What could be more necessary in times like these? Considering the delay, providence given the addition of “American Reckoning” as a reality check with urgency that doesn’t tell anyone how to think,   2020   somehow didn’t miss its moment. While so many people’s music has seen its meaning shift during the shutdowns, the waiting, the pause and the inability to tour, JBJ got lucky. For him, the gap only made his new record more necessary, more of the moment and more urgent. If “You Do What You Can” is a fizzy rocker empowering whatever difference you can create, the rest of the album opens up perspectives for the state of America no matter what side you’re on.

Forbes.com "It's a long way from 'You Give Love A Bad Name' to 'American Reckoning.'" Jon Bon Jovi says laughing. Don't misunderstand, tThe Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame frontman is very proud of his storied past.

As he says during our 45-minute Zoom call to discuss the band's superb new   2020   album, he stands behind the band's seminal hits, like "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer. But now at age 58, he isn't trying to recreate his past.

" I said this when I was 25, 'When I'm 50 I don't want to be painting my fingernails black and writing bitch on my belly,'" he says laughing.

So on this new album he has written some of the most powerful and compelling songs of his storied career, including "American Reckoning," which directly references the George Floyd killing this past May, and "Lower The Flag," a forceful song about the gun violence epidemic in America.

I spoke with him about the writing of the album, remaining a fan of his heroes, including his friend "Beatle Paul," his philanthropic foundation and his favorite lyricists.

Steve Baltin: Do you feel a sense of prophecy in these songs?

Jon Bon Jovi: I'll give you a great example of a prophecy is "Blood In The Water." It was the first one in the summer of '18 and I could walk you through it. "A storm is coming," Stormy Daniels. "Let me be clear/the walls around you are closing in," could've been last night's debate. So whether it was Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen and General Flynn to the impeachment hearing to the Russian hack at the end of it, which was in '16, that's relevant now, this same storyline, to me, is a revolving door of characters. I did think for a period of time, "Oh my god, this is gonna be dated. No one is gonna know who I am referencing." But it doesn't matter because it was as relevant this morning after last night's debates. So that song, to me, specifically, is a prophecy, it's timeless.

Baltin: Another song I really loved is "Unbroken," which falls in the tradition of great anti-war songs.

Bon Jovi: A song like "Unbroken" will always be timeless because soldiers will always be coming home and dealing with this. I had a conversation with a director [Josh Aronson] of a very small, but moving documentary called   To Be Of Service . And he had asked me to write a song hoping that my name and his bet that I could write "the" song could bring attention to this issue. And I wanted my spin to be the pride that men and women have when they put that uniform on. And then the issues they have once they take it off. When you think about how identified a soldier is when he walks down the street that's a great sense of pride in the world in which live today. It's not the Vietnam era with the young men and women returned to be spat upon. Nowadays they're heroes and they come back and we all appreciate what they give. When you take that uniform off, you put the Superman costume back in the closet and yet you're having to deal with the traumas. And I still wanted to find that thing that made them want to keep doing it and be proud of what they did. So in the very last line, when it says, "You asked me was it worth it to be of service in the end/Well the blessing and the curse is/Yeah, I'd do it all again." And the responses I have gotten to that differentiate it from [John] Fogerty writing Vietnam-era songs or Bruce [Springsteen] writing "Born In The U.S.A."

Baltin: If I remember you are also a huge Tom Waits fan and "Day After Tomorrow: is as good an anti-war song as you will find.

Bon Jovi: I adore Tom Waits, Waits and [Leonard] Cohen, two of my favorite lyricists absolutely. He's a genius. Some people just think of "The Heart Of Saturday Night" or if they really think they're witty they go, "You know, he wrote 'Jersey Girl.'" (Cracks up) Yeah, I know. I love a good storyteller and he is one of the greats.

Baltin: One of the things I love about this album is it's built around just telling relatable stories. And it's funny because people may think you haven't spoken out before on these issues. But even "Livin' On A Prayer" is very much a story.

Bon Jovi: It is a story song. The thing about a song like that, which was the timeless boy meets girl, we will win in the end, fill in the blank with the names and then they become you, the story has been told. What I loved about this is I didn't make these my story. This is just the truth being reported, just facts and moments in time that I either lived or watched or read about. So I really didn't have much of an interest in writing a pop song in the true sense of a pop song with that boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. It wasn't inspiring.

Baltin: Writing is a subconscious thing often. So were there moments on there you didn't realize how deeply you felt about things until you made this album?

Bon Jovi: Oh yeah. "Lower The Flag" and "American Reckoning" come to mind off the top of my head. Both issues that obviously I felt very deeply about and that I could articulate. And to be able to articulate them not only in conversation , but in a song. These weren't things that I had ever tackled before, but I was cognizant of. And to get it to a place where I'm very proud of the presentation so I'm able to share it, it's a long way from "You Give Love A Bad Name" to "American Reckoning" (laughs).

Baltin: Are you more comfortable with it as you've gotten older since most every artist seems to get more comfortable and confident with themselves as get older?

Bon Jovi: For clarity, in truth, I adore "Runaway" and "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer." And that's absolutely positively who and what I was and what I wanted to say. And it's all I knew how to say at that time. I wasn't looking to do more than that. And because I've been around so long this is who I am at 58 years old. That's not who I was at 21 and 25. So this has just been the journey I'm on. Here I am today. If a listener picks up an album and expects "Livin' On A Prayer" part six, you're not gonna find it here. I don't want to rewrite it. That was then.

Baltin: Do you feel, and this ties in with your charity work, as you've gotten older it's more important to focus on and share that?

Bon Jovi: Because we've taken the foundation to such a place I never thought we would, where that motivation comes from, it really wasn't instilled me as a kid. Not to the place I do it now. My parents weren't political or involved in the community. It's something that evolved in me with my wife, which is why. And it happened as I grew and grew up. No one should blame a twenty-year-old for having single-minded focus on wanting to be the lead singer in a rock band and singing about that. Amen to it. But if I were 58 and still writing songs about that I think it would be a waste of an opportunity. I said this when I was 25, "When I'm 50 I don't want to be painting my fingernails black and writing bitch on my belly" (laughs). And so we stood out from the genre from whence we came and I'll stand here in front of you with gray hair and a 32-inch waist and say, "It's who I am, that's where it's at. I'm not pretending and dying my hair and getting Botox on the 'Where are They Now' tour." I'm not interested. I'd rather walk away and leave a good-looking corpse than try and chase the past. To me, that would be a sin.

Baltin: Are there artists you admire for the way they evolved and aged gracefully? And of course saying that about John Lennon feels ironic because he didn't get to age gracefully. His evolution was in such a short time.

Bon Jovi: Boy, what he did. I have the absolute incredible, heaven-sent gift to actually be able to say I'm friendly with Paul McCartney. And I get to spend a lot of time with him in the summers. And I jokingly tell him that John and George just went back to their planet. It just doesn't make any sense. John went from "She Loves Ya" to "Imagine." Who would've thought that in that boy was that man?

Baltin: I love that you refer to it as a heaven-sent blessing to be friendly with him. What would your childhood self think about being friendly with Paul McCartney?

Bon Jovi: I refer to him as Beatle Paul all the time. Wherever I'm at with him it's "Hey, Beatle Paul, hey Beatle Paul." And one night he actually said to me, "Why do you do that?" And I said, "Because I'm too old to call you Mr. McCartney and I'm too in awe to think that I could call you Paul. I'm too reverent." And he's like, "Okay." That was one amazing but true story. I'm such a fan of a lot of people. When I met Tom Waits it was the same way. I was like, "No, you don't get it. I have tried to write 10 of your songs for the last 30 years." I was like that with [Bob] Dylan and with Bruce [Springsteen], from the time I was a little boy. So a lot of those guys that I still look up to in that kind of way.

Baltin: What is the one Tom Waits song you wish you could have written and why?

Bon Jovi: "Who Are You." That just immediately came to mind, the same way Dylan's "I Want You" is one of those kind of songs, or "Just Like A Woman." But you know, "Who Are You?" F**k! And I love "I Don't Wanna Grow Up,"   Bone Machine , they're all so good. "Hold On," what a great f**king song. "Come On Up To The House," "The House Where Nobody Lives," oh those f**king lyrics, awesome. Oh yeah, you and I could go deep on this.

Baltin: No songwriter is ever satisfied. But you hit moments you feel you are coming closer to where you want to be. Did you find those on   2020 ?

Bon Jovi: I'm too close to the album today to tell you a song, but this album says that for me. I'm just a little too close to it right now because I'm literally working on the live film we shot of it and editing. I'm too close. But I'm so proud of it as a whole. One thing that Covid did was it allowed me to go back and listen to a whole bunch of the albums. Some of it was better than I thought. Some of it wasn't as good as I hoped, but the body of work still holds up to me.

Watch the video HERE on RollingStone.com Bon Jovi   were the latest musical guests on  Ellen   this week, performing the song “Beautiful Drug” from their new album  2020 .

On a makeshift stage surrounded by carpeting and draped curtains, the band played a socially distanced rendition of the song, which celebrates the power of love through the darkest times. And like several of the songs on   2020 , “Beautiful Drug” finds   Jon Bon Jovi   getting topical about the current American crisis: “Tear off your mask, no need to hide/There’s a prescription that no doctor can prescribe,” he sings. “Can’t walk on water, down on your knees/You enter numbers, step right up, the stuff is guaranteed.”

Last month, Bon Jovi previewed  2020   with the single   “Do What You Can,”   with an accompanying music video featuring Jon Bon Jovi walking around a deserted New York City during Covid-19 lockdown. Jon Bon Jovi   later dueted   with Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles on the song.

“As I finished the mix and did the video [for the album version], I said, ‘Boy, this song would have such crossover potential.’ Jennifer was my first choice, and she said yes,” Jon Bon Jovi told   Rolling Stone   in an interview . The pair previously scored a Number One country hit in 2005 with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

APNews.com Jon Bon Jovi has been churning out love songs and arena anthems for nearly 40 years, but his latest release “2020,” has taken his music to another level.

It’s Bon Jovi’s most socially conscious album to date. Calling the collection, a “moment in time,” he references COVID-19, the killing of George Floyd, the 2019 Dayton shooting, PTSD of returning soldiers and other issues concerning the 58-year old rocker.

But tackling hot-button topics can be divisive, especially with fans on both sides of the political aisle. Bon Jovi says that’s not his intention.

“I am a witness to history, and if I took that position throughout the project, I didn’t think it would be political. I thought it would be social commentary,” Bon Jovi said. He defended his approach saying, “nowhere along this line does it say, you know, left, right, red, blue, black, white.”

Originally set for a spring release, the album was delayed, and a tour was cancelled because of the pandemic. That gave him more time to reflect on the world around him. That period added “Do What You Can,” a tribute to those fighting COVID-19, and “American Reckoning,” which was an emotional response to hearing Floyd calling out for his mother as a police officer kneeled on his neck.

“My eyes welled up with tears and I couldn’t help but go in my room and try to write a song,” he said.

Proceeds from the single will support the Equal Justice Initiative.

Bon Jovi shared his thoughts on these tumultuous time during an interview with The Associated Press. He also spoke about the weirdness of the band’s recent live performance in Nashville, Tennessee, whether he plans to tour on the senior circuit like Bruce Springsteen or Mick Jagger and why he sees hope in the next generation.

AP: During a lockdown, a lot becomes evident. Where have you found hope?

Bon Jovi: I have a son who graduated high school this year, now as a freshman at college, and he’s not having any of the experiences that other kids would have had. But out of that, what I really believe in my soul is that those kids who were born out of 9/11 and graduate school in a pandemic are going to be the ones that are the innovators, the creators, the ones that are going to fix the mess that old guys like me and you left them. And I think that they’re gonna be the ones that don’t give a damn about the color of your skin or your sexual orientation.

AP: Did you have any concerns when writing about George Floyd in “American Reckoning”? Bon Jovi: Even though we have the foundation and I’ve built affordable housing for 15 years from Newark to Camden to Philly to Georgia to L.A., I don’t pretend to know what it’s like to walk a mile in his shoes. And so, I made sure I wrote that down. If there’s a such thing as white privilege, then obviously I fit that profile: A white, older, affluent man who happens to also be a celebrity. I never had to have “the talk,” you know. And so, I made sure I wrote that down. And all of this, I had to make sure I got right. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

AmericanSongwriter.com In an incredibly timely interview,   People Have The Power   host Steve Baltin sat down with   Jon Bon Jovi   to discuss his latest album release,   2020 , and how he chooses to witness history. 

Released this past Friday,   2020   is a 13-track ode to humanity’s current state as well as a timeless body of work embodying the larger emotions of a tumultuous time. Baltin had exclusive access to the brain behind the album as he questioned Bon Jovi on his many inspirations and songwriting practices.

TRACKLISTING with songwriter credits

Limitless (Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Falcon, John Shanks) Do What You Can (Jon Bon Jovi) American Reckoning (Jon Bon Jovi) Beautiful Drug (Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Falcon, John Shanks) Story of Love (Jon Bon Jovi) Let It Rain (Jon Bon Jovi) Lower the Flag (Jon Bon Jovi) Blood in the Water (Jon Bon Jovi) Brothers in Arms (Jon Bon Jovi) Unbroken (Jon Bon Jovi)

APP.com Twenty twenty has been a year like no other.

So how about a   Bon Jovi   album like no other? Bon Jovi's “2020,” due Oct. 2, is promised to be more socially conscious of current events than previous works.

“I am a witness to history,” said frontman Jon Bon Jovi in a statement. “I believe the greatest gift of an artist is the ability to use their voice to speak to issues that move us.” Tracks like “Lower the Flag,” which takes on gun violence; “Unbroken,” a look at soldiers and post-traumatic stress disorder; and “Blood in the Water,” a take on today's caustic political environment, are very much in the moment. Two tracks added after the album's planned May release bear it out even more. “Do What You Can” speaks to the resiliency of those on the frontlines — and everybody else — of the coronavirus outbreak. “American Reckoning” is about the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the impact of the Black Lives Matter protests across the globe. Yet, perhaps the work of Bon Jovi was always socially aware, if not politically proactive. Tommy and Gina from “Livin’ on the Prayer” are living a hardscrabble life due to an economic downtown and “Runaway” details strife at  home.

More: How Bon Jovi became the rock 'n' roll epicenter in the battle against the coronavirus

• JBJ Soul Foundation
• The JBJ Soul Kitchen
• Runaway Tours

Copyright © 2024 Bon Jovi its suppliers or licensors. All Rights Reserved.

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

No live events scheduled at this time.

• Latest News

How ‘Rich Gang’ Cemented Cash Money’s Ever-Growing Empire

‘flaming pie’: a tempting treat from paul mccartney’s kitchen, best movie songs: the most iconic pop songs in films, ‘what a wonderful world’: louis armstrong’s iconic life-affirming ballad, caesars palace – or was that frank’s palace sinatra in 1978, ‘daily operation’: gang starr’s jazz-tinged standout, best music arrangers: 20 artists you’ve heard but not seen, petey returns with new single ‘the river’ ahead of acoustic ep, imagine dragons team up with j balvin for new version of ‘eyes closed’, shania twain announces vinyl release ‘greatest hits summer tour edition 2024’, alis huws, the official royal harpist, signs with decca classics, tomorrow x together, seventeen, and more to star on ‘now that’s what i call k-pop’, ‘stax: soulsville u.s.a.’ to premiere on hbo, billy idol performs ‘rebel yell’ on nbc’s ‘today’, bon jovi announces north american 2022 arena tour.

The tour kicks off April 1 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Published on

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Bon Jovi have announced the Bon Jovi 2022 Tour, produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Hampton Water.

The tour is scheduled for arenas this coming Spring. Tickets will go on-sale to the general public for most markets beginning Friday, January 14 at 10:00am local time, check www.bonjovi.com for specific details on VIP packages as well as on-sale dates and timing. The JBJ Experience member pre-sale will begin on Tuesday, January 11th at 10:00am local time.

The band spent much of the past two years recording and releasing new music, while also creating livestream performance content and launching Bon Jovi radio for their fans. Bon Jovi’s 2020 was one of the most critically acclaimed album releases of that year with USA Today calling it “BRILLIANT” and Associated Press highlighting the depth of lyrics within the songs that “chronicle pain, loss, fear and death from the coronavirus, police killings and mass shootings.”

Best 1984 Albums: 63 Records You Need To Hear

The big music: how u2 led a league of righteous 80s arena rockers, ‘all star’: the story behind smash mouth’s hit song.

Bon Jovi remains one of the most prolific and sought-after tour tickets in live music today, and getting back on tour was a top priority for the band. “We have all missed touring and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

Visit Bon Jovi’s official website for ticket information.

Bon Jovi Tour Dates: Friday, April 1 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center Sunday, April 3 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center Tuesday, April 5 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum* Friday, April 8 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center Saturday, April 9 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena Monday, April 11 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena Wednesday, April 13 Savannah, GA Enmarket Arena Friday, April 15 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena Saturday, April 16 Ft. Lauderdale, FL FLA Live Arena Tuesday, April 19 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse* Thursday, April 21 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center Saturday, April 23 Austin, TX Moody Center Tuesday, April 26 Houston, TX Toyota Center^ Thursday, April 28 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center Saturday, April 30 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena^

*On-Sale date January 21st ^On-Sale date February 4th

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Source For All Things Pop Culture

BON JOVI Announces Dates For 2022 North American Arena Tour

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band  Bon Jovi   announced today the Bon Jovi 2022 Tour , produced by Live Nation and sponsored by Hampton Water.  The tour is scheduled for arenas this coming Spring.  Tickets will go on-sale to the general public for most markets beginning Friday, January 14 th at 10:00am local time, check www.bonjovi.com for specific details on VIP packages as well as on-sale dates and timing. The JBJ Experience member pre-sale will begin on Tuesday, January 11 th at 10:00am local time.

The band spent much of the past two years recording and releasing new music, while also creating livestream performance content and launching Bon Jovi radio for their fans.  Bon Jovi’s 2020 was one of the most critically acclaimed album releases of that year with USA Today calling it “BRILLIANT” and Associated Press highlighting the depth of lyrics within the songs that “chronicle pain, loss, fear and death from the coronavirus, police killings and mass shootings.”

Bon Jovi remains one of the most prolific and sought-after tour tickets in live music today, and getting back on tour was a top priority for the band.  “We have all missed touring and we know that nothing can replace the energy of a live show for the fans or the band,” said Jon Bon Jovi.

BON JOVI 2022 TOUR ITINERARY:

Friday, April 1                         Omaha, NE                 CHI Health Center

Sunday, April 3                       St. Paul, MN                Xcel Energy Center

Tuesday, April 5                     Milwaukee, WI            Fiserv Forum*

Friday, April 8                         Charlotte, NC              Spectrum Center

Saturday, April 9                    Raleigh, NC                PNC Arena

Monday, April 11                    Greenville, SC            Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Wednesday, April 13              Savannah, GA            Enmarket Arena

Friday, April 15                       Tampa, FL                   Amalie Arena

Saturday, April 16                  Ft. Lauderdale, FL      FLA Live Arena

Tuesday, April 19                   Indianapolis, IN          Gainbridge Fieldhouse*

Thursday, April 21                  St. Louis, MO              Enterprise Center

Saturday, April 23                  Austin, TX                   Moody Center

Tuesday, April 26                   Houston, TX                Toyota Center^

Thursday, April 28                  Dallas, TX                   American Airlines Center

Saturday, April 30                  Nashville, TN              Bridgestone Arena^

*On-Sale date January 21 st

^On-Sale date February 4 th

About Bon Jovi: Over an illustrious career spanning more than three decades since their formation in 1983, Bon Jovi has earned their place among global rock royalty and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, and extensive catalog of hit anthems, thousands of concerts performed in more than 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and ticket grosses well over $1 billion around the world in the last decade alone.  Bon Jovi is the consummate rock and roll band.

Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Facebook  |  Website

Jason Price founded the mighty Icon Vs. Icon more than a decade ago. Along the way, he’s assembled an amazing group of like-minded individuals to spread the word on some of the most unique people and projects on the pop culture landscape.

PICK OF THE WEEK

‘Farscape: The Complete Series (25th Anniversary Edition)’ — Dive Deep Into Otherworldly Adventure With Shout! Factory’s Definitive Box Set!

• Consequence

Bon Jovi Kick Off Spring 2022 Tour in Omaha: Photos, Recap + Setlist

The band is back on their first major live run since the global pandemic

Arena rock is a genre of music that will never die, as long as crowds convene inside hockey arenas around the country to sing along to our favorite anthems from our favorite artists. That’s exactly what took place when Bon Jovi kicked off their 2022 tour in Omaha, NE at the CHI Health Center on Friday, April 1st, for their first public in-person concert since the pandemic started.

Ione, a singer from Sioux City, IA, was the contest winner of the opening slot for the Omaha tour date. With a full backing band — two guitar players, a bassist, a drummer, and a keyboardist — Ione filled the arena with her soulful voice, reminding one of ‘70s singer-songwriters like Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks. She emitted a free-spirited energy on stage, and captivated the audience with her pure, unadulterated pop-rock sound. It was a spectacular showing all around, and certainly worth arriving early for.

Then it was time for the main event. Bon Jovi brought their New Jersey flare to the heartland, led by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi. While it’s now occasionally a little difficult for Bon Jovi to project those higher notes to the back of the arena as he did back in the ‘80s, he is still an expert showman, first and foremost. He has a young soul to him, and on Friday, he pulled off an incredible Mick Jagger-like crowd control with the audience that was both engaging and entertaining.

It was also Bon Jovi’s first official concert since the pandemic started — they’d had to cancel a planned 2020 run — and it was clear they were very excited to finally play in front of a crowd. “It’s been a long time since I said good evening,” said Bon Jovi, before they kicked into “You Give Love A Bad Name.”

As for the rest of the band, they were in top form. Phil X has had some major shoes to fill playing lead guitar for over five years, but he does it flawlessly. During “Keep the Faith,” he impressively went through three guitars during the whole song, breaking one of the strings during the process. Elsewhere, Tico Torres was a beast behind the drum kit, while you can hear David Bryan’s signature synth sound from a mile away. Also, is it possible for guitarist/producer John Shanks to be made a permanent member of Bon Jovi? The man shared lead guitar duties and was a phenomenal rhythm player, earning the spotlight more than once during his guitar solos.

The band also paid tribute to Ukraine, performing “It’s My Life,” a song that has been adopted as an anthem for Ukrainians, and “We Don’t Run,” which was being filmed as part of a Global Citizen special. Elsewhere, they dusted off songs released over the past couple of decades, including five cuts from their latest album, 2020 , with Jon Bon Jovi stating he is “proud of this album.”

Finally, they ended their main set with the iconic “Livin’ On a Prayer,” which immediately had the whole arena singing in unison. At last, it was time for the two-song encore, starting with “Love’s the Only Rule” and ending with “Bad Medicine.”

Say what you will about Bon Jovi, but they remain one of the most influential rock bands, while proving arena rock is far from dead. Sometimes, you just want to sing along to a great hook, and that’s exactly what you’ll get on this run.

Bon Jovi next play St. Paul, MN at the Xcel Energy Center on Sunday, April 3rd. Tickets for that show, and for the rest of the tour, are available via Ticketmaster .

Check out the setlist and gallery of exclusive photos from opening night, taken by Robert Chadwick, below.

Limitless The Radio Saved My Life Tonight You Give Love a Bad Name We Weren’t Born to Follow It’s My Life Just Older Born to Be My Baby Beautiful Drug Let It Rain Keep the Faith American Reckoning We Don’t Run Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night Who Says You Can’t Go Home Lost Highway Wanted Dead or Alive Do What You Can This House Is Not for Sale Have a Nice Day Livin’ on a Prayer

Love’s the Only Rule Bad Medicine

Photo Gallery:

Personalized Stories

Around the web, latest stories.

The Rolling Stones Kick Off New Orleans Jazz Fest 2024 Weekend 2 with Unprecedented Show: Photo Gallery

May 3, 2024

2024 Sick New World Festival Rocked by System of a Down, Slipknot, and A Perfect Circle: Photos + Video

April 29, 2024

The Rolling Stones Launch "Hackney Diamonds" Tour in Houston: Video, Photos + Setlist

Creed and Friends Welcomed With Arms Wide Open on Summer of '99 Cruise: Recap + Photos

April 25, 2024

Phish Is as Good as Ever, Sphere Is New but Not Better: Review

April 22, 2024

Judas Priest's Invincible Live Show Rocks Newark, New Jersey: Photos, Video + Setlist

April 20, 2024

Green Day Preview "The Saviors Tour" with Intimate Club Show

April 19, 2024

Phish Turn The Sphere Into Psychedelic Wonder at Residency Kickoff: Photos + Setlist

Bon Jovi Verified

Similar artists on tour, bon jovi merch.

Live Photos of Bon Jovi

concerts and tour dates

Fan reviews.

About Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi on Hollywood, Biden and getting ‘punched in the nose’ by a new docuseries

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

In early 1984, Bon Jovi emerged from the wilds of New Jersey to make its first appearance on Billboard’s Hot 100 with “ Runaway ,” a synthed-up pop-metal jam that frontman Jon Bon Jovi essentially willed to success by badgering a Long Island disc jockey to spin it on his air.

Forty years later, you never have to wait too long to hear Bon Jovi on the radio.

Thanks to inescapable hits like “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Wanted Dead or Alive” and the whoa-oh-ing “Livin’ on a Prayer,” the band has sold more than 100 million records and played virtually every arena (and many of the stadiums) on the planet; in 2009, Jon Bon Jovi and his longtime creative partner, guitarist Richie Sambora , were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 2018 the group joined the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Now the band is recounting how it all happened in a four-part docuseries premiering Friday on Hulu. Directed by Gotham Chopra (son of the wellness icon Deepak Chopra), “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” covers the expected high points of the group’s ascent, including all those poufy-haired videos on MTV and Jon Bon Jovi’s turn as a Hollywood heartthrob. But it also goes behind the scenes to explore the singer’s unconventional takeover of the band’s business affairs in the early ’90s, Sambora’s departure in 2013 and Jon Bon Jovi’s recent surgery to correct a problem with his vocal cords.

The 62-year-old frontman spoke about the series during a recent visit to Los Angeles, not long after the band performed for the first time since 2022 — and with an appearance by Bruce Springsteen — when Jon Bon Jovi was honored as MusiCares’ Person of the Year. The group will release a new album, “Forever,” on June 7.

Why did you want to do this documentary? To mark that milestone of 40 years. I started thinking about it in Year 38 and thought, Who knows if there’ll be a 50th? Let’s mark this one. I’d seen “Man in the Arena,” Tom Brady’s docuseries, and I said, Who made this? He had an interesting take. Then I realized it was Deepak’s son. He was my first and only choice.

I assume Brady is a friend of yours. I’d like to think that I could call him my friend.

How does the guy in that doc compare to the dude you know? Oh, it’s Tommy. What I love about him is his work ethic. My philosophy is similar to his in that every day I’m aspiring to be a better version of me. I don’t ever want to be the fat Elvis. So Tommy was always someone I looked up to even though he’s 15, 16 years younger than me.

You call him Tommy. I do. I don’t know if anyone else does.

Taylor Swift turns heel, owning her chaos and messiness on ‘The Tortured Poets Department’

Swift’s 11th studio LP, ‘The Tortured Poets Department,’ released at midnight Eastern time, follows a busy period in the 34-year-old’s personal and professional spheres.

April 18, 2024

Do people call you JBJ? [Matthew] McConaughey started that. I love it.

Seems important that the subject of a documentary not be the person in control of it. I have nothing to hide. If I got punched in the nose by band members in the film, the sting puts you back on your heels and then you come out of it and you go, “I understand that.” So I lived with some of that, and I’m good with it. There’s a lot of warts in this film — things I might not even agree with, where one of the guys said they didn’t know if I was coming back [after starting a solo career]. I don’t know how you could say I wasn’t coming back — I’m the guy whose name is on the marquee. But I can live with all the truths in this picture. And I can promise you I didn’t take any of it out.

If Richie hadn’t agreed to be interviewed for the series, do you think you still could’ve done it? Certainly.

I kind of think not. Why?

His voice seems crucial to the viewer’s understanding of the deal between the two of you. As he says in the trailer, “I quit. I f—ed up.” We were in Calgary and he didn’t make it. I mean, car in the driveway, plane on the runway, suitcase in the trunk. We had a show that night. And this was the third time, not the first or second. We needed him to go to rehab again and he wouldn’t go. But it wasn’t like, “You’re out.” He was never fired. These were my brothers.

Do you know if Richie’s seen the doc? He came to watch it at my house in September. We screened it together.

What was that like? Great. There’s no animus. It’s 11 years ago.

Is he in a good place? Yeah, he’s writing and recording.

Have you listened to his solo stuff? I haven’t heard it.

Is the door open for him if he ever chooses to return? The door’s always open. There was never a fight — I keep saying that.

So these are your brothers. Yet, as you say, it’s your name on the marquee. How would you define Bon Jovi’s power structure? It’s a benevolent dictatorship. I’m the quarterback. It’s my vision — always was. It’s my record deal. The band were hired. Richie didn’t even take an integral role in the songwriting until the third album.

People in the band ever get salty about that arrangement? If they did, they didn’t tell me. But in retrospect everybody knows we had to have a vision. Somebody had to be the one to finally say, “I think we go this way.” You know, it was pretty f—ed-up for me to say, “I’m gonna manage the band.” The industry here in Los Angeles — everybody except me and our attorney — they said, “That’s career suicide.” But it wasn’t.

Review: Phish’s Las Vegas Sphere spectacle was the opposite of rock-star self-glorification

The veteran jam band took advantage of the venue’s cutting-edge technology while keeping the focus on its music and its community.

April 22, 2024

How old were you when you took over? 30.

Pretty young. Stupid. But it was great. I took it as far as I could, then it ran out and I couldn’t go any further.

Would your current manager, Irving Azoff, say you’d been an effective steward of your career? I hope so. But what Irving said to me was, “You’re an island.” And I completely heard that. Even though I’ve been going through health issues, he’s like, “That’s cool — go out when you want to go.” With all due respect to [Bon Jovi’s first manager, Doc] McGhee, when I was a kid our organization would just push us back out on the road. What I would tell a young band today is, “Take your time if you’re tired.” Kids talk now about mental health days. No such thing 35 years ago.

In the doc we see a lot of consternation about losing your voice. But one thing you’ve been fortunate not to lose is your hair. It’s all mine, bubba.

Has losing it ever been a fear? Please don’t shallow yourself by making this a hair article. I’ve way superseded all that nonsense.

My point is the fear bound up in vanity. I’m proud that I have no vanity in my hair or Botox or plastic surgery or a boob job at this point.

No work at all? None. This is me. Who the f— is brave enough to go gray at 50? Ask Bruce, OK? Ask Bono. Ask Mick Jagger or Paul McCartney .

Speaking of which: Beatles or Stones? Tough question. My admiration for the Beatles’ songwriting and production — it’s still otherworldly. On the other hand, Jagger’s the greatest frontman — he’s the bar. I always say I wish he’d retire because then I’d know where the end zone is. I love the Rolling Stones . But we were more Beatles.

I’d agree with that. One reason why is that Bon Jovi never seemed leering in the way that some of your ’80s hair-metal contemporaries did. It always seemed like you were trying to— I wasn’t trying to be anything. I was only ever trying to be us. How that was perceived was everyone else’s business.

So you’re just not a leering guy. I’m not a leering guy.

Were you a partying guy? Define partying. Drinking? Sure. No drugs — never interested.

Because you’d seen too many cautionary tales? No constitution for it. And the cautionary tales. But it was more that the singer had to go home because he had work tomorrow. This was my job and my joy. Why would I ever want to f— it up for an old cliché?

How’s the voice at the moment? Work in progress. I’m an athlete coming back from an injury — Kobe Bryant with his Achilles torn off. Before I got on the plane this morning I was at vocal therapy. The goal is 2½ hours a night, four nights a week. I’m not ready to say we’re going on the road.

The 15 best things we saw at Coachella 2024

From Paris Hilton playing cornhole at Vampire Weekend’s set to No Doubt’s reunion, these are the best things our team saw at Coachella 2024.

April 15, 2024

You sounded strong at MusiCares. Morning after that I woke up, first time in a decade that the only voice in my head was mine. Fear wasn’t there; doubt wasn’t there. I went, Hey, that was good. And it was fun. My wife texted the kids — she said, “He’s back.” And we don’t bulls— each other. So it’s promising.

You talk to Springsteen about your vocal trouble? Most definitely. He’s one of my closest friends. He’d pick me up and we’d take these drives and he’d be that shoulder to lean on. Then he got sick. But it wasn’t his vocal cords. He had an ulcer.

He’s said he didn’t know if he’d sing again. Did you ever think that was a possibility? I was more concerned for his health than for his singing. Because he’s just a robot — he can just do it. He’s never warmed up. He’s never taken a lesson. He thinks his wife [Patti Scialfa] and I are cuckoos because she does the same things I do. He’s like, “Both of you, I don’t get.”

A good number of the performers who saluted you at MusiCares were country acts: Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson , the War and Treaty. Modern country learned a lot from Bon Jovi records, not from Willie and Waylon and Kris. They’re more influenced by us than they were by the country standards.

You had a minute when you were making country music yourself. When we wrote “ Who Says You Can’t Go Home ,” Luke Lewis, who had the label Lost Highway, he said, “I think if you do that song with Jennifer Nettles, you can get on country radio.” Great idea — No. 1 song. Then we went, “These are the stories that we tell. We could do this all day long.” And we recorded the “Lost Highway” album. But country radio really only lets you in once. Kid Rock will tell you that; Sheryl Crow will tell you that. We learned that lesson too. But I felt very comfortable in that environment, so we still record albums in Nashville. Now we’re opening a bar down there — opens next month on Broadway.

Lot of competition on Broadway right now. Garth Brooks just opened a spot. So did Eric Church. I heard Morgan Wallen threw a chair off it.

You ever throw a chair off anything? Not a six-story building.

There’s a clip in the doc from an episode of “Siskel & Ebert” in the ’90s where Siskel is very enthusiastic about your move into acting. Was that gratifying? I studied for two years before I even went on an audition. And I had too much respect for the craft to ever think that I could get a role in a movie just because I was the singer in a rock band. So when I started to pursue acting, it was with all earnestness. I knew I was asking Mr. Producer to bet on me instead of fill-in-the-blank big actor.

And I did get a lot of good notices in the film business. But when I came out here [to L.A.] and said, “Why aren’t I getting bigger roles?” they said, “Because whenever you come, you show up for a minute and then you go on the road again. You’re not taking it serious.” Back then you didn’t get to do both. Will Smith had to choose. LL Cool J had to choose. Ice-T had to choose. Phil Collins, Madonna, Sting — you weren’t allowed. Then the caliber of the roles got lesser and lesser to the point where I wasn’t interested in doing it.

I remember sitting on the curb outside the old CAA building and shedding a tear after watching one of the piece-of-s— movies I was getting at that point because I wasn’t playing the game. That’s when I realized you have to commit like you do to making records.

What was the movie? A National Lampoon movie called “Pucked” [in 2006]. F—ing horrible hockey movie. It was heartbreaking. Earlier, when I was on the set of [2000’s] “U-571,” [film producer] Dino De Laurentiis is going, “You’re a movie star.” I’m like, OK, let’s go. But then right out of that we wrote “ It’s My Life .”

You’re saying you chose music. Easy.

How Jelly Roll overcame addiction and prison to become the new (tattooed) face of country

Jelly Roll is not your typical country star: His past includes prison, addiction and 20-plus records as a rapper. Now, he’s a favorite for multiple Grammy noms.

Oct. 10, 2023

“It’s My Life” has always felt to me like a pivot point for Bon Jovi — a rebirth or a reintroduction. It was one of the defining moments in our career. I had come home from making “U-571” — that was the movie where McConaughey dubbed me JBJ — and we had most of the “Crush” album written. Bruce Fairbairn was gonna come back and produce it. I literally walked in the house, the phone rang, I picked it up — still had my coat on — to find that Bruce had passed away. I was so shocked and dismayed. But then we had the opportunity to work with a young Max Martin, who flew from Sweden to New Jersey. I had this lyric: “Like Frankie said, ‘I did it my way.’” And Max, God bless him, came up with the riff.

He was in the middle of his run with Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. Does “It’s My Life” sound different to you than any of Bon Jovi’s other monster hits? I think it still tells that optimistic story. People said, “Who’s Frankie?” That was me going, “I want to make movies and make records and I want to be involved in politics and social issues.”

People heard that song and didn’t understand you were talking about Sinatra? Nobody knew. They just thought we created another character like Tommy and Gina [from “Livin’ on a Prayer”]. In fact, I had to fight for that line with Richie. He was like, “Who gives a s— about Sinatra?” I go, “I do.” He says, “Well, you got to sing it every night.”

Do you plan to campaign for Joe Biden? I don’t have any plan. But if called upon I’m here to serve.

You think he’s the man for the job? I think the president has done a good job. It’s gonna be a tough election. There’s issues on both sides of the aisle — not a lot to be proud of in the House right now.

Is Biden too old to serve a second term? I’m not getting into this with you [ laughs ]. Go f— yourself.

More to Read

Jimmy Buffett tribute: Dave Grohl, the Eagles, Paul McCartney and everything that happened at the Bowl

April 11, 2024

Paul McCartney and the Eagles will honor Jimmy Buffett at the Hollywood Bowl

March 11, 2024

SAG honoree Barbra Streisand on acting, Oscar snubs and singing with Bob Dylan

Feb. 23, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Mikael Wood is pop music critic for the Los Angeles Times.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Mick Jagger sounds off at New Orleans Jazz Fest, starting a feud with Gov. Jeff Landry

May 3, 2024

Willow Smith, Will and Jada’s daughter, says nepo baby ‘insecurity has driven me harder’

Country singer Sara Evans reveals struggles with body dysmorphia, eating disorder

Entertainment & Arts

Britney Spears twisted her ankle but is safe at home after Chateau Marmont 911 call

Exclusive: We have 30% off Alicia Keys' skin care line – and it's selling out fast

• TODAY Plaza
• Share this —

• Watch Full Episodes
• Read With Jenna
• Inspirational
• Relationships
• TODAY Table
• Newsletters
• Start TODAY
• Shop TODAY Awards
• Citi Concert Series
• Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

• On The Show

Richie Sambora opens up about abruptly leaving Bon Jovi: ‘I regret how I did it’

Warning: This post contains spoilers for “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.”

In the new documentary "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story," fans get an inside look into the famed rock band members' lives today — and where things stand between them.

The Hulu series, which came out April 26, explores untold truths and stories about the legendary band through accounts from most of its original band members: frontman Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres and guitarist Richie Sambora.

While Bon Jovi, Bryan and Torres remain rooted in the band's legacy today, Sambora left the band 11 years ago after a 30-year run. Since then, fans have been left with a number of burning questions regarding the former lead guitarist's sudden exit, which happened during the band's "Because We Can" tour in 2013.

Over a decade later, those fans are finally getting answers, as the documentary addresses the events leading up to Sambora's shocking departure. The series also addresses the effects that it had on a decades-long friendship between the leader singer and his right-hand man.

Here's all you need to know about why Sambora made the call to officially leave the band and what his relationship with Bon Jovi looks like now.

How did Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora meet?

Back in the 1980s, when Bon Jovi was putting his band together, he was still looking for a guitarist.

According to “Thank You, Goodnight,” the band’s founding bassist, Alec John Such, who was a member of the band until 1994 and died in 2022 , introduced Sambora to Bon Jovi. He officially joined the band in 1983.

In Episode One of the documentary, a flashback shows the band being interviewed by Dick Clark. When asked about how he met Sambora, Bon Jovi said, “Richie was in the audience one night at a show when the four of us (Bon Jovi, Bryan, Torres and Such) were playing, and he came up to me and says, 'I want to be your lead guitar player.'"

Fast-forward to present day, Bon Jovi recounts what it was like finding the former lead guitarist.

“Alec, who was also in an original band with Richie, said, 'You gotta see this guy. There’s something about this guy,'” he recalls.

The series then shows a flashback with Sambora in an interview, recalling the events leading up to him joining the rock group.

"Alec had called me up and said 'I'm playing with this new band, you know, "John Bongiovi & The Wild Ones." Come down and see the band,'" Sambora said in the interview. "I said, 'Yeah, sure."

In another flashback, Bon Jovi said that after hearing Sambora "play and talking a bit, we found that we were really on the same track."

Torres then is seen in a flashback interview, teasing Sambora for blatantly telling Bon Jovi, "I'm your new guitar player." Sambora countered in the interview and jokingly quipped that he was "very cocky."

Bon Jovi mentioned that he and Sambora "immediately hit it off."

"I knew that this guy was incredibly talented, he could play, he could sing, he could write, and I thought, he would be an incredible complement," he continues.

Torres acknowledges the "magic" that Bon Jovi and Sambora's voices had with each other, saying that their "vocal styles together made its own style."

What has Sambora said about leaving the band?

Bon Jovi and Sambora, who co-wrote several of the band's hit songs, have been through a lot over their decades-long relationship — including, of course, Sambora's sudden exit from the band.

In Episode Three, Sambora starts opening up about his departure from the band, saying that it was "amalgamation" of things, including "deep family problems."

"I spent so much time being on the road, and at that time unfortunately, my ex-wife (Heather Locklear) was having some mental health issues, and my daughter coming to an age where she could understand," he says.

He continues, "She needed me and I needed her, truthfully, we didn't have enough time."

Sambora also addresses his struggles not only related to his family life, but with "being part of one of the biggest bands in the world" while gearing up for their "Because We Can" tour in 2013 after the release of their twelfth studio album, "What About Now."

Bryan notes in Episode Three that there was "tension" when the band was recording the album, and spoke about the creative limitations Sambora had, given his personal struggles and continued absence during studio sessions.

He also talks about how John Shanks — the band's producer and back-up guitarist when creating that album — was filling in for Sambora on the tracks.

Songwriter Desmond Child then recalls that Sambora would "come to the studio and everything was done."

From Sambora's account, he felt the band was "stale" at that point, and his "job was to say that." However, in the end, Sambora notes that the time leading up to his departure got "sour."

"Jon wanted it done good, he got in a strange mood about time," Sambora says of making the album

Bon Jovi and Shanks ended up writing "What About Now" without Sambora, and the frontman notes he was "just pushing to keep going."

He also believes that Sambora was "really upset that on a song (Bon Jovi) had written called 'The Fighter,' he didn't play this one part on an acoustic guitar ... and that caused a problem."

"After all those records, people know how I play, and I went, 'Have at it,'" Sambora recalls.

Shanks was able to record Sambora’s parts on the track, and Bon Jovi recounts that this led to Sambora feeling “crushed that he was replaced.”

“John Shanks and Jon had 30 songs and they said they felt like they had the record, and I said, ‘Let me hear it.' I go, ‘Don’t sound like Bon Jovi.' It just didn’t sound like us because I wasn’t there," Sambora explains.

“He had the whole thing kind of planned out, which basically was telling me, 'I can do it without you,' and I was getting treated kind of like I didn’t write and do all that stuff, and I wasn’t the guy they talked to anymore," Sambora says.

When Sambora suddenly left the band in 2013, Bon Jovi brought Canadian guitarist Phil X on as a temporarily replacement for Sambora. However, after Sambora's continued absence, Phil X officially became a permanent member of the band in 2016.

In Episode Four, Bon Jovi was asked when he realized Sambora’s departure was permanent. The frontman's response at the time of filming was that even “10 years later, I still haven’t."

Where do they stand now?

Despite multiple articles claiming that there is bad blood, Bon Jovi said in an April interview with People that "there's never animosity" between the former bandmates.

Bon Jovi also told the outlet that Sambora "came over and watched three parts of the docuseries at (his) house."

Prior to this, all five original members of Bon Jovi came back together in 2018 for a performance at the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio.

In Episode Four of the documentary, Sambora says, “I don’t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it, so I want to apologize fully right now to the fans, especially, and also to the guys, because my feet and my spirit were just not letting me walk out the door.”

Bon Jovi also addresses the "void" he has felt since Sambora's exit in that same episode.

"The true magic of our live performance was when we sang together, and when we sang together, that was our unique spot," Bon Jovi says of performing with his former bandmate. "It was as identifiable as any great combination that made one and one three, and I don't think that’s been replaced."

Jennamichelle Merolla is part of the TODAY Page program and graduated with her master's in integrated marketing communication this past December.

Bon Jovi, Forever Young, Comes Face-to-Face With Mortality in ‘Thank You, Good Night’

By Joseph Hudak

Joseph Hudak

You can’t watch Thank You, Good Night: The Bon Jovi Story and walk away with anything but respect for Jon Bon Jovi . The four-part, nearly five-hour documentary about the singer-songwriter and his namesake New Jersey rock band (streaming now on Hulu ) unflinchingly addresses the vocal problems that plagued Bon Jovi’s 2022 tour. If you’ve seen the YouTube videos of him struggling through “You Give Love a Bad Name” or “Wanted Dead or Alive,” you know how brutal it was to hear.

Bon Jovi does too. In one scene, he walks offstage after a concert in Indianapolis and collapses on the rug in his dressing room. “By far the worst show,” he mutters.

Editor’s picks

Every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term, the 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history.

The film’s dissection of the Bon Jovi/Sambora dynamic will delight longtime fans of the band, and vintage footage of the twosome during the group’s early days and in their acoustic appearance on the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards reminds you how electrifying their onstage chemistry was, especially as singers. In one segment, Bon Jovi is shown listening to the isolated vocal tracks of “Livin’ on a Prayer” with longtime engineer Obie O’Brien. “I don’t think that’s been replaced,” he says later of he and Sambora’s musical interplay.

Nearly all past and present members sit for interviews, from gruff drummer Tico Torres and gregarious keys man David Bryan to Sambora’s replacement, Canadian shredder Phil X, and bassist Hugh McDonald. (Founding bass player Alec John Such, who died in 2022 , is seen in archival clips.) Bruce Springsteen, one of Bon Jovi’s chief influences when he led his first band, the Atlantic City Expressway, also appears, and we learn that the two Garden State heroes often take 100-mile drives together, without their phones, to talk about music and mortality.

Kendrick Lamar Fires Up Another Shot at Drake With ‘Not Like Us’

'snl' monologue: not even radical optimist dua lipa can put a positive spin on kristi noem killing her puppy, 'i love you, paul': family believes their mom is 'adrienne from brooklyn' from viral beatles clip, trump ‘disgusted’ by kristi noem’s puppy execution story.

“I don’t have a messiah complex…,” Bon Jovi says in one interview, before his voice trails off and he chokes back tears. “Anyway, that’s why the legacy matters.”

In the end, Thank You, Good Night is a story about how you react when the very thing that makes you who you are begins to let you down. Such a change is a jarring, physical eye-opener, and also a crisis of conscience. But as Bon Jovi himself wrote, sometimes you’ve gotta keep the faith.

'SNL' Weekend Update Trashes Courtroom Trump, Puppy Killer Kristi Noem

• Disobedient?
• By William Vaillancourt

'SNL' Monologue: Not Even Radical Optimist Dua Lipa Can Put a Positive Spin on Kristi Noem Killing Her Puppy

• Can't Help You

Adam Driver Balances on a Ledge in Anxiety-Inducing ‘Megalopolis’ First Look Clip

• 'Hope for the Future'
• By Althea Legaspi

'Star Wars' Marks 'May the Fourth' With New Trailer for 'The Acolyte'

• may the fourth
• By Daniel Kreps

John Mulaney's Latest Netflix Special Is Totally Weird, Unnecessary, and Wonderful

• By Ej Dickson

Most Popular

Ethan hawke lost the oscar for 'training day' and denzel washington whispered in his ear that losing was better: 'you don't want an award to improve your status', abc news meteorologist rob marciano out at the network, king charles’ latest appearance has body language experts predicting a 'problem' in future events, ed orgeron divorce court finds loophole in ‘binding’ term sheet, you might also like, ‘snl’ makes fun of jojo siwa’s edgy rebrand: like a ‘figure skater joined a street gang’ and ‘mad max on broadway’, rosé and pharrell celebrate joopiter’s ‘joyride’ auction in new york, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, the kids on ‘under the bridge’ are so damn good, mystik dan wins 2024 kentucky derby in photo finish.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Verify it's you

Please log in.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

'Nothing But Love': Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora's Epic '80s Friendship in Photos

The longtime Bon Jovi bandmates had an epic musical partnership

Igor Vidyashev/ZUMAPRESS.com/Alamy

After hitting the high notes together for three decades, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora ’s musical partnership came to an abrupt end in 2013, when Sambora, the lead guitarist, co-songwriter and founding member of Bon Jovi, quit the band without warning in the middle of their Because We Can world tour ahead of a sold-out show.

With months left to go on the tour and dozens of concerts scheduled, the band was left scrambling to find a replacement. More than that, they were left reeling from Sambora’s unexpected departure. 

“There was no fight or money issues, like the reports say,” Bon Jovi told PEOPLE in 2016 . “Nobody expected Richie to quit in the middle of the night for no reason. He wasn’t fired; he just didn’t come to work.”

Ultimately, the band soldiered on, completing the tour with new lead guitarist Phil X. And Bon Jovi has seemingly remained friendly with Sambora, telling PEOPLE recently that the two watched several episodes of Hulu’s new docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story together. “There’s never animosity,” the 62-year-old rocker said.

In that spirit, we’re looking back at the good times with these photos that showcase how Sambora and Bon Jovi's friendship was the bedrock of their band's success.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1984

Midori Tsukagoshi/Shinko Music/Getty

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi rocked out together during Super Rock '84 at Nagoya Stadium in Tokyo.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1993

Clayton Call/Redferns

The rockers went back to back at the Oakland Coliseum in California on March 14, 1993.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1995

Dave Hogan/Getty 

The hair at this June 1995 show was just too good.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2007

Ray Garbo/Shutterstock

It was all about the fist pumps for the band's concert at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 2007.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2011

Ethan Miller/Getty

The theatrics were there for a concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in March 2011 in Las Vegas.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2012

The pair's friendship was on full display in 2012 as Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performed during the MasterCard Priceless Los Angeles Presents GRAMMY Artists Revealed event.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Owen Sweeney/Shutterstock

Before he walked away, Richie Sambora was on hand for opening night of Bon Jovi's Because We Can Tour in Washington, D.C., in February of 2013.

The rockers had their happy faces on as the show continued.

Richie Sambora kept up as the band hit Toronto in February of 2013, but by April , was no longer performing with the group.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2018

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Showing that there weren't hard feelings, Richie Sambora joined Jon Bon Jovi during the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland in April of 2018.

Related Articles

Jon Bon Jovi reacts to Richie Sambora's apology for leaving Bon Jovi, says he 'came clean' for band's fans

The frontman thinks the guitarist wanted to "end all the speculation that there was ever a fight" in the group.

Jon Bon Jovi wasn’t exactly surprised by his former bandmate Richie Sambora ’s decision to apologize for abruptly leaving the legendary rock band in their new Hulu docuseries. 

While visiting The Howard Stern Show on Tuesday, the “Roulette” singer was asked if he was at all “shocked" by its final episode, in which Sambora expresses regret over the way he chose to quit Bon Jovi in 2013.

“I don’t know if it was a shock or not,” the frontman replied. “It was 11 years ago now, and it was not easy. The shock was when he didn’t show up, and the issues that he was having again. That was the shock, and then that was the disappointment.” 

The Grammy winner added that he viewed Sambora's apology as the guitarist's way of clearing the air once and for all. "He came clean in the film for the fans, so I guess it would end all the speculation that there was ever a fight [between us] or any of that stuff," he said. "Because — as I’d stated 1,000 times — that was not the case. Just not the case.” 

Sambora left Bon Jovi overnight, choosing not to rejoin the band at the Calgary stop of their sold-out Because We Can tour in 2013. The band performed that evening with its frontman pulling double duty on guitar and vocals before tapping guitarist Phil X, who had previously covered for Sambora in 2011, to step in for the remainder of the performances.

At the time, the musician, who entered rehab in 2007 and 2011, cited personal issues for his sudden departure, but he  later told PEOPLE  that he quit the band in order to focus on his relationship with his daughter, Ava. Still, in the group's new docuseries, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, he admitted that vanishing wasn't the right way to do say goodbye.

“I don’t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it,” Sambora said. “So I’d like to apologize fully right now to the fans, especially, and also to the guys, because my feet and my spirit were just not letting me walk out the door.”

He added, “I guess if you’re in the mafia, the only thing you possibly do is disappear. And I did.”

Bon Jovi detailed his own sadness over Sambora's exit in the docuseries, noting that he still feels a "void" on stage without him. “The true magic of our live performance was when we sang together… that was our unique spot,” he said. “It was as identifiable as any great combination that made one and one three. And I don’t think that’s been replaced, no.”

These days, Sambora looks back at his time in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame–inducted group with a sense of pride. "Jon and I touched the planet with those songs. You realize that you were warriors that love each other, watched each other’s backs, told each other the truth,” he said. “If anybody doesn’t think that we were Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Jimmy [Page] and Robert [Plant], any way you wanna slice it… come on!” 

Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story  is streaming now on Hulu. Watch Bon Jovi reflect on Sambora's exit in the Howard Stern clip above.

Sign up for  Entertainment Weekly's  free daily newsletter  to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Related content:

• Jon Bon Jovi says he's still on the road to recovery after his vocal cord surgery: 'It was very difficult'
• Jon Bon Jovi addresses son Jake's engagement to Millie Bobby Brown: 'I don't know if age matters'
• Alec John Such, Bon Jovi bassist and founding member, dies at 70

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly .