Monday, January 31, 2011

Blame It On The Love on Facebook

Blame It On The Love now has its own Facebook page. I'll have the posts from this blog feeding into the page along with summaries of the text, as well as any relevant status updates. You'll also be able to comment there and write on my wall if you wish.

Blame It On The Love | Promote Your Page Too


Previously, I've had the RSS feed from this blog feeding into my author page, along with all the other articles, blogs, stories, etc that I write. If you've been following that page, but are not interested in any of the non-Bon Jovi stuff I do, then feel free to unlike it and follow "Blame It On The Love" instead. I promise I won't get offended, and you can still communicate with me via the "Blame It On The Love" page.

Friday, January 28, 2011

JBJ & Friends Sayreville set list

This is an unconfirmed set list from last night's Jon Bon Jovi and Friends benefit gig. Mostly old rock 'n' roll covers for fans of classics, but a few Bon Jovi songs were thrown in, including Lost Highway bonus track "Lonely". There are a few details missing. Did anyone attend this show?

EDIT: Set list and details amended.

Sayreville, New Jersey, USA - Starland Ballroom - January 27, 2011
Help! [The Beatles cover]
So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star [The Byrds cover]
CC Rider [Ma Rainey cover]
Glad All Over [Dave Clark Five cover / ft Bob Burger]
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) [Four Tops cover / Ricky Collins on lead vocals]
Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Blue Bayou [Roy Orbison cover / Maureen McCrink on lead vocals]
Lonely
(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party [The J. Geils Band cover / ft Southside Johnny]
Hold On, I'm Comin' [Sam and Dave cover / ft Southside Johnny]
Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover / ft Layonne Holmes]
She's Not There [The Zombies cover / Bob Burger on lead vocals]
O-o-h Child [Five Stairsteps cover / Ray Anderson on lead vocals]
Somebody to Love [Jefferson Airplane cover / Layonne Holmes on lead vocals]
Build Me Up Buttercup [The Foundations cover / Lisa Bouchelle on lead vocals]
Midnight Confessions [The Grass Roots cover / Bobby Bandiera on lead vocals]
Wanted Dead or Alive
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Who Says You Can't Go Home [ft Lisa Bouchelle]

ENCORE:
Livin' on a Prayer [acoustic]
Treat Her Right [Roy Head and the Traits cover / ft Southside Johnny]
634-5789 [Wilson Pickett cover]

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Bon Jovi's taking a break...

Bon Jovi will go on hiatus at the end of this tour. They've implied, suggested, and outright said it so many flippin' times now that it must be true. :P
"I think we need to take a break," drummer Tico Torres told Billboard.com during a conference call with reporters. "It's a long, extensive tour since last February, not just the tour but putting it together, doing the record ['The Circle']. It's a long process, and I think it's important for us to just get away from the audience for a bit. Sometimes you need to get away so people can appreciate you better, and you also have to get away to live your life and create and recharge... So the best thing I can tell you is we're gonna need a couple years off for sure."

Guitarist Richie Sambora, however, countered, "We do need a little bit of a break, but not that much of a break, 'cause what's going to happen is there's more songs to be written and... Y'know, guess what? We want to be the Rolling Stones. I know I do."
Read the full article from Billboard here.

I did note with interest that Richie alluded to some "disappointment" about missing out on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
"I think it's a boys club over there," he said. "I don't know what they're doing, [if] they're looking for ratings or what they're doing. Is it legitimate? That's my question. Our legitimacy comes from our fans; you sell 125 million records and have the two biggest tours in the last three years, I'll take that. If I would complain, nobody would listen."

So, how do we feel about the boys taking a break? Is it the right time? Is it overdue? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

New Prayer contest with Animoto

After teaming up with the video/slideshow-making site on the It's My Life Contest in October 2010, Bon Jovi and Animoto have again joined forces for a new Livin' on a Prayer Contest during the North American leg of the 2011 tour:
NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After earning the honor of being the #1 worldwide tour of 2010, Bon Jovi prepares to hit the road this February and will once again utilize the latest in web-based video technology to engage with their fans and bring them along for the ride. Continuing their successful partnership with Animoto, the award-winning online video creation service, the iconic band is offering audiences in each upcoming North American tour market a spot in the limelight.

Using the fun and easy suite of tools available from Animoto, fans can quickly transform their photos and/or videos to create a personal video slideshow about their hometown set to Bon Jovi's smash 1986 hit "Livin' On A Prayer." Throughout the two month tour, hundreds of user-generated Animoto videos will be featured on the tour's giant screens to accompany the band's live performance "Livin' On A Prayer."

"We have the greatest fans in the world and we're excited to make them a part of our show through the wonders of technology," said Richie Sambora. "We can't wait to see all of the videos they're creating."

Starting today, fans are encouraged to create and upload their own personalized Bon Jovi music video slideshow for this unique opportunity to win a pair of tickets to the show, and see themselves jam on the big screen alongside Bon Jovi. Additionally, the official winners in each city will receive a deluxe prize VIP package including access to the VIP pre show party, an exclusive VIP messenger bag, and several commemorative VIP items. To learn more and to submit your video, visit the official "Livin' On a Prayer" Website at http://prayer.bonjovi.com.

The contest is applicable for the following shows:
  • February 9 - State College, PA - Bryce Jordan Center
  • February 11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Consol Energy Center
  • February 12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Consol Energy Center
  • February 14 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
  • February 15 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
  • February 18 - Montreal, QB - Bell Centre
  • February 19 - Montreal, QB - Bell Centre
  • February 21 - Raleigh, NC - RBC Center
  • February 24 - New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden
  • February 25 - New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden
  • February 27 - Washington, DC - Verizon Center
  • March 1 - Boston, MA - TD Garden
  • March 2 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
  • March 4 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
  • March 5 - New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden
  • March 8 - Chicago, IL - United Center
  • March 9 - Chicago, IL - United Center
  • March 17 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center
  • March 19 - Las Vegas, NV - MGM Grand Garden Arena
  • March 22 - Salt Lake City, UT - EnergySolutions Arena
  • March 25 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
  • March 26 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

JBJ back in the acting game

Jon has said numerous times that he's given up on acting, but according to the Hollywood Reporter, a little flame still burns:
Jon Bon Jovi and Seth Meyers are putting on their party hats for New Line’s all-star ensemble New Year’s Eve, being directed by Garry Marshall.

German actor Til Schweiger has also closed a deal to board the production.

Bon Jovi and Meyers join a cast that counts Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Abigail Breslin, Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank and Sofia Vergara among its cast.

The movie tells intertwining stories of a group of New Yorkers as they navigate their way through bittersweet drama and romance over the course of New Year's Eve.

Bon Jovi is playing -- here’s a stretch -- a successful rock star who once dumped Berry’s character of a caterer but now finds himself face to face with again at a party.
Read the full article here. Someone on JoviTalk mentioned that it sounds like one of those He's Just Not That Into You type of movies, where it's more about an overarching theme rather than each star getting a lot of screen time. I haven't actually seen He's Just Not That Into You, though I understand there's a reference to "I Want You" in the film... But I thought Love Actually did a pretty decent job of the genre so hopefully this is a good take on it, too. Or closer to the Jon Bon Jovi front, Little City wasn't bad.

The cast of this new movie looks quite impressive, which doesn't always count for much, but it'd be disappointing if they churned out a crap movie. And I would hate for Jon's movie career to end on something as ridiculous as Pucked. :P

Poll results - New header up!

I recently ran a 10-day poll asking people what they wanted to see on Blame It On The Love. The results according to Blogger were as follows:

Photobucket

or if you can't see the picture:
New header image - 31 votes (63%)
Vlogs - 26 votes (53%)
Guest bloggers - 16 votes (32%)
Other - 4 votes (8%)

You may have noticed that the percentages don't add up to 100. I'm guessing that's because I allowed people to vote for more than one option?

The main thing is, most of you voted for the new header I've been promising since about November when I deleted the old one, so I hope you like what I came up with. The photos were all taken by Terri and I thank her for letting me use them. :)

Vlogs were also more popular than I thought they'd be. If you have any video blog post ideas, drop me a line. If they're not time-sensitive, I might save it until after the Bon Jovi tour, when things slow down a bit. Same with guest bloggers, which I think could be a good injection.

Got any thoughts? Leave a comment, tweet, or email me.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

CeDAR set list

I'm a few days late, but this was reportedly the set list for a benefit gig that Bon Jovi did for CeDAR (Center for Dependency, Addiction and Rehabilitation) at the Colorado Convention Center on January 21, 2011:

Glad All Over [Dave Clark Five cover]
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
It's My Life
Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Lost Highway
Wanted Dead or Alive
Who Says You Can't Go Home
We Got It Goin' On
Livin' on a Prayer

ENCORE:
Bad Medicine

You can also check out a photo gallery at Metromix Denver.

Bon Jovi in Israel April 27?

This has not been posted on BonJovi.com yet, but the Israel Ministry of Tourism Facebook page is reporting that Bon Jovi will perform at Tel Aviv's Bloomfield Stadium on April 27, 2011.

Bon Jovi at the "Oprah House"

Bon Jovi performed abridged versions of "It's My Life" and "Livin' on a Prayer" for Oprah at the Sydney Opera House during her Australian specials, which went to air this week. The performance is nothing special, but I think we've come to expect somewhat anaemic performances from the band's TV appearances; Jon's voice isn't at it's best here either. In a sign that I probably need to get out more on Saturdays, I actually spent part of yesterday defending the Bon Jovi's live chops from someone whose daughter had only ever heard the Altiyan Childs version of "Livin' on a Prayer" and declared that Bon Jovi was lame on the basis of this performance. :P

Friday, January 21, 2011

Bon Jovi on Flood Relief album

Bon Jovi will appear on a Sony Music Australia compilation album to raise money for the floods that have devastated Queensland:
The response from both Australian and international artists wanting to lend their support has been so overwhelming that an additional disc was added making it a special 3 CD set. “FLOOD RELIEF – Artists For The Flood Appeal” features 59 tracks over three CD’s and features Aussie artists including Midnight Oil, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Tommy Emmanuel, Lee Kernaghan and Crowded House together with international artists such as P!nk, Keith Urban, Sting, Bon Jovi, Kings Of Leon, Beyonce, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Bob Dylan and Jeff Buckley.

Sony Music proceeds from the sale of the CD will go to the Salvation Army Flood Appeal through the charitable arm of the Australian Sony Group of Companies, The Sony Foundation to support young people affected by the tragic floods.

Read the full media release on BonJovi.com.

The album will be in stores from January 24, 2011. You should be able to order it online from Sanity or JB Hi-Fi.

CD1
1. Midnight Oil - My Country
2. Powderfinger - Burn Your Name
3. Billy Joel - All About Soul
4. Bruce Springsteen - Human Touch
5. The Script - For The First Time
6. Foo Fighters - My Hero
7. Train - Hey, Soul Sister
8. P!nk - Sober
9. Sting - Fields Of Gold
10. Lee Kernaghan - People Like Us
11. Keith Urban - Better Life
12. Savage Garden - Affirmation
13. Birds Of Tokyo - Plans
14. Grinspoon - Minute By Minute
15. Ben Lee - Were All In This Together
16. Kate Miller-Heidke - Our Song
17. Jeff Buckley - So Real
18. Troy Cassar-Daley - Sing About This Country
19. Tommy Emmanuel - Countrywide

CD2
1. Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody
2. Crowded House - Something So Strong
3. Beyonce - Irreplaceable
4. John Mayer - Waiting On The World To Change
5. John Williamson & Shannon Noll - Island of Oceans
6. Go-Betweens - Streets Of Your Town
7. Bob Dylan - Shelter From The Storm
8. John Farnham - A Touch Of Paradise
9. Adam Brand - It's Gonna Be OK
10. Adam Harvey - That's What You Call A Friend
11. The Verve - Bitter Sweet Symphony
12. Delta Goodrem - In This Life
13. Pete Murray - You Pick Me Up
14. The Hollies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
15. Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down
16. Jessica Mauboy - Because
17. M People - Search For The Hero
18. The Screaming Jets - Helping hands
19. Melinda Schneider Featuring The Australian Girls Choir - Courageous
20. Mark Vincent - You Raise Me Up

CD3
1. Bon Jovi - Who Says You Can't Go Home
2. Guy Sebastian - Taller, Stronger, Better
3. Washington - Clementine
4. Alan Jackson - Small Town Southern Man
5. Tim McGraw - Last Dollar (Fly Away)
6. Hoodoo Gurus - Bittersweet
7. Daryl Braithwaite - Higher Than Hope
8. Tears For Fears - Mad World
9. Johnny Cash - Five Feet High And Rising
10. Human Nature - People Get Ready
11. Solange - 6 O'Clock Blues
12. Stan Walker - Choose You
13. Katie Noonan And The Captains - Page One
14. Amy Meredith - Young At Heart
15. Altiyan Childs - Beautiful Day
16. Lifehouse - You And Me
17. David Campbell - You'll Never Walk Alone
18. Damien Leith - To Get To You
19. Straalen McCallum - Sometimes A Prayer Will Do
20. Bachelor Girl - Permission To Shine

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Bon Jovi returns to Jazz Fest

Bon Jovi is returning to the New Orleans Jazz & Music Heritage Festival in 2011 after making its Jazz Fest debut in 2009. Other headlining acts this year include Arcade Fire, Sonny Rollins, Kid Rock, Wilco, Willie Nelson, Lauryn Hill, John Mellencamp, the Strokes, Jimmy Buffett, John Legend & the Roots, and Robert Plant.
"The 2011 Jazz Fest lineup will deliver an unprecedented balance of the traditional and the contemporary, in all of the many music categories the Festival presents," said Quint Davis, producer/director of Jazz Fest in a statement. "This lineup reminds us that the artists we grew up with are now the icons of today, and that today's new heroes are tomorrow's heritage. We're honored to be able to once again celebrate the soul of America as only New Orleans and the Jazz Fest can."
Read the full article here.
The festival will take place over two weekends (April 29-May 1, then May 5-8) at Fair Grounds Race Course. For tickets and more details visit the New Orleans Jazz Festival site.

Bon Jovi coming up on Oprah; Poll almost over

I've just finished watching the second of four Oprah's Ultimate Australian Adventure specials, which have been screening at prime time here in Oz instead of its usual noon slot. Apparently Bon Jovi will be on the third episode which airs tonight in the US (January 20) and tomorrow night in Australia (January 21). Check local guides. I'll probably be watching the cricket tomorrow so I'll have to remember to flick the channel over myself but hopefully the relevant footage will be available online anyway.

I did notice that some of the ultimate fans were sent to my hometown of Perth but none of the footage seems to have gone to air. I'm not sure what they did here, but I hope they got to see the rest of Western Australia, which makes up almost a third of the whole country and is a lot more interesting from a tourists' perspective than the capital city.

Also, if you haven't already voted on my poll, you have four hours left. Looks like a new header is the priority, but more than half of you also want me to make my vlogging debut. :P

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Poll: What do you want to see on Blame It On The Love?

I've currently got a poll running at the top of this page for the next 10 days. Just thought I'd get some input on the short-term future of the blog by asking you all what you'd like to see on here. Options are as follows:

1. New header image
I've received permission from someone to use their concert photos for a banner so it's just a matter of getting reacquainted with my old friend Photoshop and my inner designer.

2. Vlogs
I've always been a text blogger but it could be interesting to do some video blog posts, particularly in instances where the visual element would enhance whatever I'm saying.

3. Guest bloggers
This would basically involve inviting someone to write a guest post on here with their own insights and perspectives.

4. Other
If you have any other ideas or suggestions, feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me so that I can consider it.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Palestinian call to boycott Israel

Bon Jovi is set to perform in Israel for the first time in 2011, but given the complexities of the ongoing conflict in the region, it's probably no surprise that not everyone is thrilled with this idea. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel has published this open letter in the Palestine Chronicle, urging Bon Jovi to cancel their planned Israel concert on the basis that performing there would be an endorsement of human rights abuses and apartheid:
It is with great disappointment that the undersigned organizations learned of your scheduled performance in Israel set for 2011 as part of your 'Circle Tour'. Given that Israel is involved in grave violations of international law and human rights, particularly as indicated in the UN Goldstone Report, we urge you to cancel this gig until the time comes when Israel is in compliance with its obligations under international law and fully respects Palestinian rights.

We were particularly surprised by news of your planned performance given your deep involvement in affordable housing and homelessness issues. As part of its ongoing dispossession of the Palestinian people, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes and entire villages, including the Bedouin village of Al-Araqib, which was destroyed seven times this year. Indeed, the entire modern history of the Palestinian people is based on dispossession and homelessness as more than 750,000 people were made refugees to enable the creation of the state of Israel, then kept in permanent refugee status despite the requirements in international law that they be allowed to return to their homes. In your commitment to effect change you have understood that your position as a respected and prominent musician can weigh on politics and contribute to advancing freedom, justice and human rights. It is in this spirit that we address you.
Read the full article here.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Circle Tour on EPIX

Bon Jovi: The Circle Tour Live From New Jersey premieres on Epix on January 8, 2010:
Grammy Award-winning band Bon Jovi shot a historic performance during their four night sold-out show at the New Meadowlands Stadium - the new home of the NY Giants and NY Jets. The concert captures the magic and energy of these hometown heroes with songs from The Circle along with the band's classic hits. Bon Jovi's multi-night engagement, including the stadium's inaugural performance on May 26, 2010, was met with 200,000 fans on their home turf.
Check out the EpixHD site for more details (and some video snippets).

Unfortunately this is just for US fans. A DVD would be nice, but there aren't any plans for one at this stage.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year / Next 100 Years

Happy New Year, everyone! How was your New Year's Eve?

Now here's something you don't see every day. I have posted this Japanese version of "Next 100 Years" by charity boy band J-FRIENDS on this blog in the past, but that was about two years ago so you may not have seen it or stumbled across it before. I think this show is from New Year's Eve 1999. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora wrote the song, with Koshi Inaba providing the Japanese translations. The J-FRIENDS "cover" was technically the first version of "Next 100 Years", since the Crush version didn't come out until June 2000.


Here's Bon Jovi performing "Next 100 Years" at Tokyo Dome in 2001 as part of the One Wild Night tour.


May 2011 be a prosperous year for you. :)