Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Looking back at the Bon Jovi Tour, Bergman style

Bon Jovi photographer David Bergman has written a blog recapping his experience of the tour. He talks about Jon's knee injury and includes some previously unreleased photos. Check it out here.

Hugh McDonald at NAMM

It's always exciting when Hugh McDonald speaks... and Frankie DiVita got a great interview with him at the NAMM Show. Among other things, he talks about the next Bon Jovi record; Jon has written about 20 songs so far and Huey expects to be on the road again in 2013.


Also, here's Hugh and son Jake performing at NAMM with blues guitarist Jonathon "Boogie" Long.


On a related note, the old "Make Huey Official" Facebook group has been archived... To keep supporting our super cool bassist, like the new Hugh Says You Can't Go Home page. ;)



Saturday, January 28, 2012

Baylie Brown sings Bed of Roses

A country-flavoured rendition of Bed of Roses at this American Idol audition. What do you think?

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Follow Richie Sambora on Twitter

As announced by Luke Ebbin:
ok everyone- you heard it here first. Follow Richie on Twitter @TheRealSambora. Yes, he's about to start tweeting-
3 hours ago

Also, please note @TheRealSambora is THE ONLY official Richie Sambora Twitter account. #richiesamborasolorecord
3 hours ago

Welcome to the Twittersphere, Richie!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Friday, January 20, 2012

Today's moment of zen...

Luke Ebbin has been awesome with the Twitter updates on the new Richie Sambora solo record (which has yet to be named)... He also posted another teaser video from the studio earlier today.



Check it out.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

David Bryan interview on 93.3 WMMR

Pierre from 93.3 WMMR talked to David about Memphis, his other musical projects, and working with Bon Jovi.

Listen to the interview here.

Irish Skid Row says JBJ took his name

Brush Shiels, from the original Skid Row (an Irish band from the 60s/70s that Thin Lizzy's Gary Moore and Phil Lynott were in) posted a video a few days ago about how the more famous American Skid Row took his band's name.

He is calling on Jon Bon Jovi to contact him to sort out the issue.

Why Jon, and why now?

Well, Brush wants to release a new Skid Row record. As for the JBJ part it's slightly more complicated, but this is what supposedly happened:
  • Jon had a generous publishing deal with Skid Row in the 80s (I think this part is fairly common knowledge);
  • Jon apparently asked the late Gary Moore for use of the "Skid Row" name, to which Moore said he'd have to contact Brush Shiels;
  • Jon never contacted Brush Shiels;
  • Gary Moore was reportedly paid $35,000 for use of the name but apparently this never happened either.

Brush has apparently told Irish radio he is prepared to take this to court*, so it'll be interesting to see how the saga plays out.

*Thanks for the tip, Alan

Here is Brush's video...

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Kenny Greco - Telling Lies + It's My Life

This isn't exactly about Bon Jovi but I first met (twet?) Kenny Greco on Twitter a couple of years ago. He has the rare distinction of depriving me of sleep one weekend, because after staying up all night for a Bon Jovi live stream (From memory, it was the epic Hard Rock Calling), I then watched a live stream of one of Kenny's gigs (where he played for over three hours) and by the time he was done, it was time to see my beloved West Coast Eagles in action (roughly another three hours). So yes, very little sleep that weekend but it was worth it. :P

Anyway, this is Kenny's new single, Telling Lies. Check it out... and if you dig it, share it.


You can download Telling Lies from iTunes or get it for free from Kenny's website.

And in case you're still not sold on the Bon Jovi angle of this post, here's Kenny doing an acoustic version of It's My Life. ;)

Saturday, January 14, 2012

A taste of the Richie Sambora solo record

It's been a long time coming and Luke Ebbin is currently #winning at Twitter thanks to his updates about Richie's elusive third solo album. Most notably, his latest tweet which links to this video.



Hashtag #richiesamborasolorecord for tweets about the new album.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

New Year Facebook message from JBJ

This message from Jon Bon Jovi was posted on the band's Facebook today:
Greetings to all. Happy 2012! I hope everyone had a fine holiday and that you're all ready for what we hope will be an exciting 2012.

Since we spoke last I've been informed that over 15 million Bon Jovi followers are out there monitoring our activities. Thanks. Considering we're not actively touring and don't have a record out that is amazing. The Circle Tour was beyond our wildest dreams. 4 million of you saw the tour and made us the biggest tour on the planet in 2010 and #2 in 2011... it's only fair we let some of the other bands have some of your attention in 2012 but don't worry, we are writing up a storm and have a really good record coming together. Richie and the guys are all happy and healthy. At least that's what they tell me...

Thanks for the posts regarding my blogged demise. As I write this I am very much alive but I died online December 19th, 2011 and it was a wild 60 minutes. Fortunately my family was all together when the calls came in and we quickly dispelled the rumors. Besides all the well wishes 'dying' is soooo overrated. We all have so much to live for so make the best of each day.

In 2012, I look forward to the Soul Kitchen helping those who in these difficult financial times need help from their neighbors. Remember, a helping hand up is not a hand out. Empowering your neighbor is not entitling them. You'd be surprised how many people today are either in need or on the verge of economic assistance. WE have the power to make a difference. Find something or someone that moves you... you can make a difference and I promise it will make you and that neighbor in need feel something magical. Don't fall into the negative. Don't assume the press or those in the media know better or know more. Follow YOU. Partisanship, is just ignorance in disguise.

Ok, enough of my thoughts. It's time to go to work. I'll fill you in on any one off shows like Bamboozle in Asbury Park as the dates come together. Until then root for your favorite team, who ever that may be and look out for your favorite band, we know who that should be.
See you round... JBJ


Sunday, January 8, 2012

Q&A with David Bryan

Because Dave Bryan doesn't get nearly enough love, here are a few questions from his Q&A on the Durham Performing Arts Center website:
You have been with the rock group Bon Jovi for more than 25 years. What do you think is the key to the band’s continued popularity?
Writing good songs, making good records, and always giving your all at every live concert.

During all the years it took for MEMPHIS to get to Broadway. What compelled you to continue with the process?
It’s not a sprint but a marathon! Every time we did a production, we worked on the show and we learned where it was and where we had to take it. A musical is very complicated. You have to create story, songs, and dance, and they all have to work together. The fine tuning process happens in front of an audience and that takes many, many hours to get right. But it was easy to persist, because I always believed that MEMPHIS is a show that entertains and tells an important American story.

How is writing song for a rock band different than writing songs for a Broadway musical?
In a rock band, you’re just writing for the voice of the lead singer. In a musical, you have many different characters you have to make sing. Still ultimately, a good song is a good song.

You have won many honors as a rock musician, including winning a Grammy Award. How was the Tony® awards presentation different than the Grammy Awards?
The three Tony® awards I won is unbelievably special. It was a long road with MEMPHIS, but I always believed in our show. To be honored and welcomed by the Broadway community for my work feels great. And it is just the start. Joe and I have a new show in the works called Chasing The Song (about American song writers from 1962-1964). We’ll continue to create new works for a long time.

Read the full Q&A here.

Friday, January 6, 2012

JBJ on Oprah's Master Class

Jon will be on Oprah's Master Class this season.

Sneak Peek: Season 2 of Oprah's Master Class

A new season of Oprah's Master Class debuts with Academy Award-winning actress Jane Fonda. Other masters profiled this season will include three additional award-winning actors Goldie Hawn, Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman; media mogul philanthropist Ted Turner; acclaimed musicians Reba McEntire and Bon Jovi; and professional athletes Laird Hamilton and Grant Hill.

Oprah's Master Class returns Sunday, January 8 10/9c, only on OWN!