Saturday, July 28, 2012

Hard Rock Live: JBJ & the Kings of Suburbia set list

Jon Bon Jovi and his freshly branded "solo band" the Kings of Suburbia performed at Hard Rock Live on Thursday night. Here's what they played (It was almost identical to the Tiger Jam set):

Hard Rock Live - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood, Florida, USA - July 26, 2012
  1. So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star [The Byrds cover]
  2. You Give Love A Bad Name
  3. Ain't Nothin' But a House Party [The J. Geils Band cover]
  4. Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
  5. Lost Highway
  6. Chain of Fools [Aretha Franklin cover]
  7. I'm Your Man [Leonard Cohen cover]
  8. Bad Medicine / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
  9. Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
  10. We Weren't Born To Follow
  11. Just Older
  12. Livin' on a Prayer - acoustic
  13. Wanted Dead or Alive
  14. Under Pressure [Queen/David Bowie cover]
  15. Sympathy For The Devil [Rolling Stones cover]
  16. Baba O'Riley [The Who cover]
  17. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
  18. The Letter [The Box Tops song]
  19. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  20. Hallelujah [Leonard Cohen cover]
  21. 634-5789 [Wilson Pickett cover]

Who was there? How did you find the band and the show?

In other news, Richie Sambora tweeted that he's finished the Every Road Leads Home to You video... Can't wait to see it!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

David Bryan Donates Piano to State Department Collection

David Bryan has given the gift of music to the US State Department:
Tony Award winning Broadway composer and international rock star David Bryan has donated a 9 foot Steinway concert grand piano to the United States State Department Collection to be housed in the Benjamin Franklin Ballroom at the Harry S. Truman State Department Building in Washington, DC. As a founding member and keyboard player for Bon Jovi, Bryan has toured the world and shared his music with millions of people. The plaque that accompanies the State Department piano reflects Bryan’s personal belief that “In the timeless celebration of music is that which brings us together, not separates us.” That belief is also underscored in Bryan’s Tony Award winning Best Musical MEMPHIS, playing through August 5th at Broadway’s Shubert Theater and across America on a celebrated national tour.

“In times of joy and sorrow, love or hate, peace and unrest, music has always been an important outlet for expressing our emotions individually and as a nation,” Bryan said. “As a proud American musician, it is my great honor to give this gift to the State Department. I hope it brings years of wonderful music to these great halls.”
Read the rest of the article here.

I can honestly say I have never seen a nine-foot grand piano. Or run my fingers along the ivories of a Steinway for that matter. But it'd be pretty cool. ;)

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Aftermath of the Lowdown coming September 18

Richie Sambora's long awaited solo album Aftermath of the Lowdown will now be released on September 18, 2012 (not September 4 as previously reported):
After spending the last few years getting more attention for his sometimes-troubled personal life than for his music, Sambora says that the album’s title reflects his desire to give his side of the story. “This is the truth, the lowdown,” he explains. “And after you speak that truth, there’s always an aftermath.” Among the topics addressed in the album’s lyrics are divorce, substance abuse, single parenthood, independence and self-reliance.

Sambora notes, “A lot has happened in my life over the past 10 years, personal stuff that’s cathartic for me to get out… really, things that could happen to anybody, but I just happened to be in a band with the biggest concert tour in the world, and in the glare of the public eye.”

The guitarist adds, “This is my favorite record I’ve ever made. It’s the most fulfilling and beautiful experience in my life as a musician.”
Don't forget you can still get a free download of Every Road Leads Home to You and/or submit a photo for the accompanying Instagram video via Richie's website.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Happy birthday Richie Sambora

It's Richie Sambora's 53rd birthday today (July 11).

Head to his website and you can:

http://www.richiesambora.com/happybirthday/

Happy birthday, Richie! :)

Bon Jovi to headline iHeartRadio

Bon Jovi will be playing at the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival which takes place in Las Vegas on September 21 and 22.

Here's Ryan Seacrest with the announcement:


Also on the bill: Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Green Day, Usher, Aerosmith, Brad Paisley, Pitbull, Linkin Park, Lil Wayne, P!nk, Swedish House Mafia, Miranda Lambert, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Deadmau5, Enrique Iglesias, Calvin Harris, Jason Aldean, No Doubt.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Quebec City Summer Festival set list

Bon Jovi hit Quebec for the annual Quebec City Summer Festival on July 9 (and included a singalong for Richie Sambora's upcoming birthday). Set as follows:

Quebec, Canada - Plains of Abraham - July 9, 2012
  1. Raise Your Hands
  2. You Give Love a Bad Name
  3. Born to Be My Baby
  4. We Weren't Born to Follow
  5. Lost Highway
  6. It's My Life
  7. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
  8. Runaway
  9. I'll Be There For You
  10. Wanted Dead or Alive / Happy Birthday to You
  11. Keep the Faith
  12. We Got It Goin' On
  13. Have a Nice Day
  14. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
  15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  16. Bad Medicine / Old Time Rock 'n' Roll [Bob Seger cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
  17. In These Arms
  18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
  19. Livin' on a Prayer
  20. I Love This Town

Who was there?

Greenbrier Classic set list

Bon Jovi headlined the third night of the 2012 Greenbrier Classic Concert Series on July 7 (Toby Keith and Lionel Richie played on July 4, while Rod Stewart and The Fray played on July 6). It was fairly stock standard set list as expected.

The Greenbrier - Greenbrier County, West Virginia, USA - July 7, 2012
  1. Lost Highway
  2. You Give Love a Bad Name
  3. Born to Be My Baby
  4. We Weren't Born to Follow
  5. It's My Life
  6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
  7. Runaway
  8. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
  9. Wanted Dead or Alive - Richie Sambora vox on 2nd verse
  10. Bad Medicine / Old Time Rock 'n' Roll [Bob Seger cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
  11. We Got it Goin' On
  12. Have a Nice Day
  13. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  14. Keep the Faith
  15. I'll Be There For You
  16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
  17. Livin' on a Prayer

Was anyone there? What was the atmosphere like, given the "corporate" nature of the show?

Saturday, July 7, 2012

#RichieRoad Instagram Photo Project

If you love taking photos on your mobile phone, Instagram and Richie Sambora, you can now enjoy them all together -- with an Instagram music video being created for Every Road Leads Home to You:
Help Richie Sambora create an Instagram photo-based video for the new song "Every Road Leads Home To You" from his upcoming album "Aftermath of the Lowdown." Before you hear the song, read the lyrics below and use Instagram to snap a photo of something in your world that represents the lyric.

Read Lyrics

1. Download Instagram (iPhone or Android)
2. Follow @TheRealSambora on Instagram
3. Take a photo representing a word in the lyrics
4. Add the hashtag #RichieRoad
5. Add a second hashtag related to the specific lyric your photo represents (ie: #phone for “phone” or #bridge for “bridge”)
6. Upload the photo

Richie will choose his favorite photos from your submissions and make create a video, so everyone can see "Every Road Leads Home To You" through your eyes.

There's a lot of hype around Instagram and quite a few musicians who have embraced fan involvement through the app, including Rufus Wainwright, The Vaccines, and Ed Sheeran. Now we can add Richie Sambora to the list. ;)

Will you be submitting a photo?

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Jon Bon Jovi is the face of Avon "Unplugged"

In front of every good scent is a really good looking person and in this case it happens to be JBJ:
JON BON JOVI JOINS AVON IN LAUNCHING THE UPCOMING FRAGRANCES “UNPLUGGED” FOR HIM AND FOR HER

New York, NY, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Avon Products, Inc. today announced that Jon Bon Jovi will serve as the face of “Unplugged” fragrances for him and for her, two new scents that exude passion, soulfulness and intensity. The partnership unites a rock icon and a major force in beauty, both of whom are dedicated to charitable efforts.

“Avon, and the Avon Foundation for Women, have given support and a voice to those in need for decades,” says Jon Bon Jovi. “Their philosophy of empowerment sends a strong message and I’m pleased to partner with them,” says Jon Bon Jovi.

“Jon’s music and philanthropic work celebrate independence and optimism, two beautiful qualities that radiate from within,” explains Lily DeStefano, Vice President of Avon North America Beauty. “The ‘Unplugged’ scents evoke an emotional connection – something Jon inspires in audiences around the world.”

The Unplugged fragrances are captivating and exhilarating. Unplugged for Her is a floral oriental fragrance available in October 2012, and Unplugged for Him is a woody floral musk scent available in November 2012. Both will be sold exclusively through Avon Representatives in North America. To locate an Avon Representative, call 1-800-FOR-AVON, or visit www.avon.com.
More on the announcement here.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Richie Sambora Sunset Sessions

Richie Sambora recently performed an acoustic set at Sunset Sessions Rock!, playing songs from his upcoming solo album Aftermath of the Lowdown as well as some Bon Jovi favourites. Here's some video...

Performing Every Road Leads Home To You and Livin' on a Prayer:


Talking about working with Luke Ebbin and Jeff Castelaz at Dangerbird Records and being free to explore things outside of the "Bon Jovi juggernaut."
Performing Taking a Chance on the Wind and Wanted Dead or Alive:


Sunset Sessions are industry-only events so I'd just like to thank them for sharing these videos... Us fans appreciate it. ;) It's probably got to be said that Richie doesn't really sound too good here but he could be having an off day.

What do you think of the performance and the new songs?