Sunday, December 21, 2014

Merry Christmas to all Bon Jovi fans, past and present

As we approach Christmas and the new year, I'd like to thank everyone who's supported me and this blog over the past six-and-a-half years. Bon Jovi will always hold special place in my heart (I'm never getting that tattoo removed :P) but I probably wouldn't have kept going all this time without all of you reading, leaving comments and sending messages, whether you agreed or disagreed with me. And even though it's been an "interesting" couple of years and blogging has taken a back seat, I'm still here.

Being a fan of both Bon Jovi and Star Wars, a 17-year-old John Bongiovi's appearance on the Star Wars novelty Christmas album is a moment of pure brilliance that I share on my social networks nearly every year:

Jon Bon Jovi - R2-D2, We Wish You A Merry Christmas


CBC Music writer Andrea Warner recently put together The first-ever oral history of Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album, interviewing co-producer/engineer Tony Bongiovi (Jon's cousin), Anthony Daniels (aka C-3PO) and composer Maury Yeston in the process. Read the full article at this link.

A lot changes in 34 years (or 3 for that matter -- just compare the difference in Jon's voice between then and Runaway)...

I'll leave you with two recent Christmas performances by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora respectfully to (hopefully) appease both "sides" at this time of year. ;)

Jon Bon Jovi & the Kings Of Suburbia: I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas - Las Vegas (Dec 9th 2014)


Richie Sambora & Orianthi perform "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" on Home & Family


Have a safe and happy festive season!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Listenin to a Jovi Song

This is an interesting follow-on from the somewhat jaded tone of my previous post because it's a song about why many of us fell in love with Bon Jovi in the first place.

Here's the song:
Listenin To A Jovi Song


And a note from its writer, Rowdy Settles:
ATTENTION BON JOVI FANS: I decided to write a song about BonJovi music that I think we all can relate to as fans, and I'd like for ya'll to check it out. The song is called, "Listenin To A Jovi Song".

Long story short; I spend a lot of my time sitting in my jeep due to my commute so I decided to start writing songs to help pass the time. I have no musical talent whatsoever but I've managed to fumble around well enough that I've written about half a dozen songs on various topics (superheroes, prayer, my son, etc..) and I've put a couple of them on an album called "Welcome to Muskogee". Right now the album only has two singles, but more songs will be added soon.

To help push the music, I had a video created for "Listening To A Jovi Song". If YOU get a chance, or if you're really bored, check out the video, listen to the lyrics, and if it moves you or you like it, please download it off Itunes (or wherever you buy digital music). Out of all the 27 million BonJovi fans who are on Facebook...if at least one fan besides my mom buys the song...I plan on donating a percentage of the sales from the single to the JBJ Soul Foundation. My album can be found by typing in the album name "Welcome to Muskogee" or by typing in my name. And no, its not me singing on the song(s).

I typically sing/hum my songs to my son at night where nobody else can hear me and/or when trying to get him to sleep...he has yet to complain, but then again, he doesn't talk yet either...so I'm hoping you guys will like them as well. The Jovi song is about what we all already know as fans. And that is, no matter what we are going through, no matter how much of a Monday we might be having, everything becomes better when we turn on a Jovi song! No pressure, but if you buy the song (or album) you will increase your chances of going to heaven! And, it will be the best $.99 you ever spent. Enjoy.

If you want to download Rowdy's song(s), visit this link, then click View in iTunes (You should get the option to switch from the Australian store to your own country's).

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Breaking the silence

First of all, I'm not dead; I just haven't been blogging. More on that later.

Today seems like a fitting day to break my silence because, as far as the internet is concerned, Jon Bon Jovi broke his on Richie Sambora in an article published on Showbiz411 overnight, which has since been picked up/interpreted by other sites including Ultimate Classic Rock.

Anyway, here's the key part of Roger Friedman's article:
I did ask Jon what the story was with lead guitarist Richie Sambora. He left Bon Jovi’s Because We Can tour in April 2013 and never looked back. Again, Jon seems a little perplexed: “He quit. He’s gone. No hard feelings. Being in a band isn’t a life sentence.” Fans will always hope that somehow all of this will work itself out. And it might: Bon Jovi, as a band, is 10 years younger than most of the legacy groups playing right now. And, to quote a song, who says you can’t go home?

I'm not sure Jon reveals anything we didn't already know, though if you analyse the language it does suggest a subtle shift from "Richie quit the last tour and who knows what the future holds?" to "Richie is out of the band, it's over, full stop". What do you think?

The other grab is that Jon poured a lot into his failed attempt to own an NFL team -- which he copped plenty of flak for over rumours that his group planned to move the Buffalo Bills to Toronto:
Bon Jovi told me he’s getting over a serious depression after losing his bid (with partners) to buy the Buffalo Bills football team. “I devoted two years to that project,” he said with a shrug of shoulders. “But I’m coming out of it now.”
A few Bon Jovi fans whose opinions I respect have said if Jon was so devoted to his NFL bid, he should have focused on that instead of half-arsing the Because We Can tour with static sets and lacklustre performances. It got me thinking about why I've taken an unintentional three-month hiatus from this blog, and why, up until my shows in Australia I hadn't had the same unbridled enthusiasm as I had for previous tours. I'm not the only fan who was a bit jaded last year. For some, it's as simple as Richie's absence or their dislike for the What About Now album, but for me it's hard to pinpoint a particular reason or reasons.

Although Bon Jovi as a band has been relatively quiet this year too, Richie has been doing solo shows, Jon has been doing fan club shows, David has his musicals, etc. It's not like there hasn't been anything to blog about. It's just felt like a chore to do so.

But Bon Jovi was the first band I was passionate about, and therefore my gateway into so many other great artists. Most people I know know me as the Bon Jovi lover and I still cite them as my favourite band when someone asks (although Australian band 1927 is a close second and I proudly play the same guitar as Ed Sheeran, albeit badly). I had some personal crises to deal with this year, and one of the things that helped was going to a gig by Perth Bon Jovi tribute band Slippery When Wet and remembering why I fell in love with all those songs.

So I don't want to abandon the blog.

But it shouldn't simply function as a curator of Jovi news. After all, you can always set a Google alert for "Bon Jovi" and follow Bon Jovi or Richie Sambora or whoever on social media. Blame It On The Love should do something more, or different. What I wanted to achieve when I started the blog back in 2008 was present my unique perspective on Bon Jovi's music and let that perspective kick off a discussion with other fans around the world.

I just need to consider how I can best do that again in a way that serves both my readers and my sanity. :)

Friday, August 29, 2014

Richie Sambora live in Paris 26/6/14

Here is Richie Sambora's full concert at Le Bataclan in Paris on June 26, 2014.

Richie Sambora - Live in Paris 2014 [FULL]


PS - I know I haven't been posting Richie's set lists. They don't always get confirmed, and I've been super busy, but I will try to catch up on them.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Jon Bon Jovi NYC fan club show 20/7/14

Jon Bon Jovi recently performed an acoustic show for the Backstage JBJ fan club in New York City. He was accompanied by Lorenza Ponce and Bobby Bandiera, and here's what was reportedly played:

New York City, USA - BB King Blues Club & Grill - July 20, 2014
  1. Every Word Was a Piece of My Heart
  2. With These Two Hands
  3. Welcome To Wherever You Are
  4. Not Running Anymore
  5. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover
  6. Destination Anywhere
  7. The Fighter
  8. Open All Night
  9. (You Want to) Make a Memory
  10. Thick As Thieves
  11. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  12. We Weren't Born To Follow
  13. Livin' on a Prayer

Here's a video of one of my favourite Destination Anywhere songs, and a partial video of one I thought should have been on What About Now (not just as a bonus track):
Jon Bon Jovi - Every Word was a Piece of my Heart/With These Two Hands 07-20-14


Jon's next gig is with the Kings of Suburbia on July 30. It's a fundraiser for the Parker Family Health Center, so you can watch it for a fee.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Avicii collaborating with Jon Bon Jovi

There are few details at this stage, but Jon Bon Jovi will appear on Avicii's upcoming album:
Avicii (a.k.a. 24-year-old Tim Bergling) has commandeered a small room as his home studio. He sits surrounded by computer screens and six synthesizers, working on the follow-up to his hit 2013 album, True. Collaborators this time include Jon Bon Jovi, Serj Tankian of System of a Down and Chris Martin of Coldplay. There's a song with Billie Joe Armstrong called "No Pleasing a Woman," and a reggae duet between Wyclef Jean and Matis­yahu. "I love it," Bergling says of the song, "but I don't know what to do with it yet."

Bergling cues up a dozen tracks from the 70 or so he's been working on. From the sound of them, the as-yet-untitled album (due out late this year) takes True's EDM-gets-rootsy vibe and broadens it further. "It's going to be a lot more song-oriented," Bergling declares of the album. "True was an attempt at that, getting electronic music in a song format."
Read more at Rolling Stone.

I'm interested to see how this turns out... Jon has been trying to "modernise" for years, and Avicii is a pretty hot EDM producer right now.

Avicii - Wake Me Up ft. Aloe Blacc

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Controversial Richie Sambora interview with Gitarre & Bass

Richie Sambora recently gave an interview to German magazine Gitarre & Bass Magazine. An English translation of the print interview has been circulating online and raised a lot of eyebrows. Here's the part of the interview that's got people talking:

Q: How did your style of playing evolve in the last three decades?
RS: (makes a long pause) …when you’re a sideman in a band that has a certain style that you’re not allowed to change, then solo albums and soundchecks are the only ways to break free and cross boundaries. As a songwriter, I know how important lyrics are. They open the door. In Bon Jovi, I played and sang the melodic parts. But how creative can you be when your boss only gives you four bars to move the song along? How creative can you be if your boss keeps limiting you? I’m the type of person who is open to all styles and genres. I even went to a Kanye West concert with my daughter Ava. And I discovered a musical quality that I never really realized hip hop had. It was the first time I truly understood hip hop. Today when I’m evolving my style, I focus on two things: songwriting and emotions. Goosebumps, sex, grief, love, anger. Expressing emotions through music is what’s fun for me.

Q: You and Orianthi are working on an album at the moment.
RS: Yes. We’ll be exploring different genres: from acoustic ballads to hard rock. No compromises, no marketing bullshit, none of that! What I love about Orianthi so much is how versatile she already is at such a young age. I’m 25 years older, I’ve been on the road for 30 years and experienced anything you can imagine. I’ve been through a lot of difficult times. It’s great to finally be able to just make music for the joy of it. Everybody knows what a fantastic musician Orianthi is. We have duets that are just insane. When we’re playing together, there is magic in the room. That’s never happened to me before. In fucking Bon Jovi, it took me and Jon three albums to finally develop chemistry.

Q: Your ex-boss stated that you won’t be playing with the band anytime soon. Is there even still a future with Bon Jovi?

RS: I don’t think so. I was in that band for 30 years. That’s a damn long time. I missed most of my life. I worked myself to death in that band. The last tour alone was 18 months. I was always there for them. I wrote almost all of the songs and produced the records. And guess how many of my guitar parts finally made it on the records? Be honest, how many guitar solos are on the recent albums? Not many. I didn’t have much of a family life either. There comes a time when you ask yourself: Is it even worth it? Who am I? I was like a robot; everyday I did everything for that band. And I kept having to put up with the same old shit…

Q: You sound angry…
RS: As a musician it wasn’t fun anymore. I wasn’t happy. When I had the choice between happiness and money, I chose happiness. I already have enough money.

Q: How do you feel about Phil X playing your songs?
RS: Honestly, I have no clue about what’s going on in Bon Jovi these days. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, no doubt. And as far as I know, he’s a decent studio musician in L.A. Bu can a session musician replace Keith Richards in The Rolling Stones?
Q: Absolutely not! Unthinkable!
RS: Exactly! (laughs)

Read the full translated interview here.

Richie has since tweeted that something got lost in translation. We can't know for sure what was really said because Richie spoke in English, which would have been translated into German for the magazine, and has now been translated from the translation back into English.




I do hope what has been written isn't what he really said. Although Richie has claimed credit for the Bon Jovi stuff that was popular while wiping his hands clean of anything that bombed, this interview (if accurate) is a more aggressive turn. And one that shuts the door on a band reunion where all parties had previously been open to one.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Richie Sambora set lists June 26-July 3

Richie Sambora wrapped up the European leg of his tour earlier this month. Here's what was played:

Paris, France - Le Bataclan - June 26, 2014
  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Weathering the Storm
  6. Burn the Candle Down
  7. Stranger in This Town
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
  10. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  11. I'll Be There for You
  12. Learning How to Fly With a Broken Wing
  13. Seven Years Gone
  14. Livin' on a Prayer

  15. Encore:
  16. The Answer
  17. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  18. Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley cover
  19. These Days
  20. Rosie
  21. Stick to Your Guns
  22. Wanted Dead or Alive


London, England - Clapham Common - June 28, 2014 (Calling Festival)
  1. Lay Your Hands on Me
  2. Nowadays
  3. Every Road Leads Home to You
  4. Stranger in this Town
  5. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  6. Burn the Candle Down
  7. Wanted Dead or Alive

Dublin, Ireland - Olympia Theatre - June 30, 2014
  1. A Song For You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Lay Your Hands on Me
  4. Stranger in this Town
  5. Burn that Candle Down
  6. Weathering the Storm
  7. Sugar Daddy
  8. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
  9. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  10. Seven Years Gone
  11. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  12. I'll Be There For You
  13. Wanted Dead or Alive

  14. encore:
  15. Livin' on a Prayer - ft Niamh Crowther, Josh Dunford, Brian McGovern, Tania Notara McNamara, Susan Bluechild (opening act contest finalists)
  16. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  17. These Days

Belfast, Northern Ireland - Ulster Hall - July 1, 2014
  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Burn that Candle Down
  3. Every Road Leads Home to You
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. Nowadays
  7. Weathering the Storm
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
  10. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  11. Seven Years Gone
  12. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  13. I'll Be There For You

  14. encore:
  15. Lean On Me (Bill Withers cover) - ft. Peter McVeigh, Matthew Duly, Ryan McMullan, Johnny Reid, David Brown Murray (opening act contest finalists)
  16. Wanted Dead or Alive / Midnight Rider (Allman Brothers cover)
  17. These Days
  18. Livin' on a Prayer

Glasgow, Scotland - O2 ABC - July 3, 2014
  1. A Song for You (Leon Russell cover)
  2. Burn that Candle Down
  3. Every Road Leads Home to You
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. Nowadays
  7. Weathering the Storm
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
  10. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing / Crossroads (Eric Clapton cover, originally by Robert Johnson)
  11. Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel cover) / Seven Years Gone
  12. Storybook Love (Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover)
  13. I'll Be There For You

  14. encore:
  15. The Answer
  16. Bad Company (Bad Company cover) / Wanted Dead or Alive
  17. These Days

Were you at these shows?

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Livin' on a Prayer instrumental guitar cover

16-year-old instrumentalist Matt Wong recently uploaded this fingerstyle guitar cover of Bon Jovi's signature song Livin' on a Prayer. You can check it out below.

Livin' on a Prayer (Bon Jovi) Acoustic Guitar Cover - Matt Wong


What do you think?

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Richie Sambora Munich, Berlin, Cologne set lists June 20-24

Richie Sambora performed in Munich, Berlin and Cologne in the last few days. Here's what he played:

Munich, Germany - Kesselhaus - June 20, 2014
  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Burn that Candle Down
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. All That Really Matters (intro)
  7. Every Road Leads Home to You
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton cover
  10. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
  11. I'll Be There For You
  12. Seven Years Gone
  13. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  14. Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley cover (intro)
  15. These Days

  16. encore:
  17. Lean on Me - Bill Withers cover ft. opening act finalists
  18. Livin' on a Prayer
  19. Midnight Rider - Allman Brothers cover (intro)
  20. Wanted Dead or Alive
  21. The Answer
  22. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  23. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix cover

Berlin, Germany - Huxley's - June 22, 2014
  1. A Song For You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Burn That Candle Down
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. Rosie (intro)
  7. Every Road Leads Home to You
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
  10. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler song
  11. I'll Be There For You
  12. Seven Years Gone
  13. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  14. Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley cover (intro)
  15. These Days

  16. encore:
  17. Lean on Me - Bill Withers cover ft. opening act finalists
  18. Livin' on a Prayer
  19. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  20. The Answer
  21. Bad Company - Bad Company cover (intro)
  22. Wanted Dead or Alive


Cologne, Germany - E-Werk - June 24, 2014

  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Burn that Candle Down
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in This Town
  6. Every Road Leads Home to You
  7. Sugar Daddy
  8. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  9. I'll Be There for You
  10. Seven Years Gone
  11. Learning How to Fly With a Broken Wing
  12. Get Up, Stand Up - Bob Marley cover (intro)
  13. These Days

  14. encore:
  15. Lean on Me - Bill Withers cover
  16. Livin' on a Prayer
  17. Wanted Dead Or Alive
  18. The Answer
  19. Takin' A Chance On The Wind

Were you at these shows?

Monday, June 23, 2014

"No bad blood" says Richie Sambora

In this translation from Lust for Life Magazine in the Netherlands, Richie Sambora says he was given an ultimatum when he wanted a break from touring with Bon Jovi. Here's a little of what he had to say about that and the possibility of a return to the band in the future:
"I saw a year of other priorities ahead of me; I wanted to make my own music and I preferred doing a few shows with my own band. I said I wanted a break."

But he reports that his request "was just not accepted," adding: "The Bon Jovi machine had to go on. I could choose – join or leave. That's hard when you share joys and sorrows for 30 years."

Sambora believes he made the correct decision, however. "It's fantastic," he says of his current situation. "We enjoy every night. I've done a lot of wrong things in my life and I've regularly made bad decisions. But I think this step was the right one at last."

He continues: "There's no bad blood with me any more. I love Jon, and I still see the possibility of a return. There are just a few steps I want to – need to – take."

And if a reunion doesn't happen, Sambora will continue in his own direction. "We're going to record an album; I'd do a tour after that," he says. "Not a tour of 14 months in more than 50 countries. Just a nice tour, playing music then being home for a while."
Read the rest of the article here.

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Richie Sambora UK, Netherlands, Stuttgart set lists (June 13-19, 2014)

Richie Sambora kicked off his latest solo tour last week, performing shows in England, the Netherlands, and Germany. His sets have included a couple of unexpected Bon Jovi songs -- i.e. The Distance and Stick to Your Guns, as well as an impromptu rendition of Rosie in Stuttgart.

Were you at any of these shows?

London, England - O2 Academy Islington - June 13, 2014
  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix cover
  7. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  8. Livin' on a Prayer
  9. Burn that Candle Down
  10. Seven Years Gone
  11. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  12. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  13. I'll Be There For You

  14. encore:
  15. Stick to Your Guns - intro
  16. Wanted Dead or Alive
  17. These Days

Download Festival - Leicestershire, UK - Donington Park - June 15, 2014
  1. Burn That Candle Down
  2. Lay Your Hands On Me
  3. Every Road Leads Home To You
  4. Stranger In This Town
  5. Nowadays
  6. Wanted Dead Or Alive

Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 - June 17, 2014
  1. A Song For You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Nowadays
  3. Every Road Leads Home to You
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in this Town
  6. Burn that Candle Down
  7. The Distance
  8. Seven Years Gone
  9. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  10. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
  11. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  12. I'll Be There For You
  13. Stick to Your Guns - intro
  14. Wanted Dead or Alive

  15. encore:
  16. The Answer - solo acoustic
  17. Livin' on a Prayer
  18. These Days
  19. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix cover

Stuttgart, Germany - Beethovensaal - June 19, 2014
  1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Nowadays
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Stranger in This Town
  6. Burn the Candle Down
  7. Seven Years Gone
  8. The Distance
  9. Rosie
  10. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  11. Weathering the Storm
  12. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
  13. Storybook Love Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  14. I'll Be There for You

  15. encore:
  16. Lean On Me - ft. Katja Juraska, Toby Breitenbach, Daniel Berger, Michael Eb, Christoph Brubeck (winner & 4 finalists for Opening Act contest)
  17. Livin' on a Prayer
  18. These Days - with Bob Marley intro
  19. Bridge Over Troubled Water - intro
  20. Wanted Dead or Alive

Housekeeping and New Jersey re-releases

Firstly, a little housekeeping: It's been a few weeks since I blogged, so apologies to my readers. I'm currently working on what I hope will be my first novel, but there are no guarantees (although I mentioned that publicly in the hope that it would spur me on to complete the manuscript so as to avoid humiliation).

Feel free to pitch or submit a guest blog post if you would like to see your perspectives on Bon Jovi showcased on Blame It On The Love. Click here for some previous guest blogs to inspire you.

Meanwhile, Richie Sambora began his run of European dates last week. I'll post the set lists, etc up in my next post.

Finally, the Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions of New Jersey will be released on July 1. You can get demos of Homebound Train and Full Moon High in advance by pre-ordering the Deluxe edition on iTunes. The Super Deluxe version with DVD can be pre-ordered from various outlets including JB Hi-Fi, CDJapan, and Amazon.

New Jersey Album Anniversary Package Sneak Peak

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Richie Sambora Ocean County Drug Forum set list

Richie Sambora performed at a drug awareness forum in New Jersey on May 27, debuting a new song called "Lighthouse".

Toms River, NJ, USA - Pine Belt Arena - May 27, 2014
First set (featuring Manchester High School Chorus):
  1. Lean On Me - Bill Withers cover
  2. Livin' on a Prayer
  3. Lighthouse
Second set:
  1. Every Road Leads Home to You
  2. Wanted Dead or Alive
  3. Seven Years Gone
  4. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
  5. I'll Be There For You
  6. The Answer - ft Bruce Foster on piano
  7. These Days
  8. Taking a Chance on the Wind

This video features the press conference held before the forum, and a snippet of Richie's performance:
Richie Sambora at Pine Belt Arena


This video isn't the best quality, but it seems to be the only recording of Lighthouse that has emerged so far:
Richie Sambora "Lighthouse" for the 1st time Pine Belt Arena Toms River, NJ 5/27/14

The lyrics to Lighthouse are on Richie Sambora's website.

Meanwhile, Richie has added South Korea to his upcoming shows featuring Orianthi. He will perform at the 2014 Citybreak Festival in Seoul on August 10.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Bon Jovi to release expanded editions of New Jersey

As part of Bon Jovi's 30th anniversary celebrations, new remastered editions of their New Jersey album will be released this year. The Deluxe Edition will be a 2-CD set featuring the full album plus bonus tracks on the first disk, and unreleased demos from what was intended to be Sons of Beaches (before it was whittled down to the 12 tracks we know as New Jersey) on the second disk. The Super Deluxe Edition will feature the two CDs plus a DVD with Access All Areas and the music videos on it.

The track listing for the expanded editions are as follows:

DISC 1: NEW JERSEY (original album, remastered) + bonus tracks
  1. Lay Your Hands On Me
  2. Bad Medicine
  3. Born To Be My Baby
  4. Living In Sin
  5. Blood On Blood
  6. Homebound Train
  7. Wild Is The Wind
  8. Ride Cowboy Ride
  9. Stick To Your Guns
  10. I’ll Be There For You
  11. 99 In The Shade
  12. Love For Sale
  13. Bonus Tracks:
  14. The Boys Are Back In Town (Cover of the Thin Lizzy classic; previously released on Stairway To Heaven/Highway To Hell compilation; released in the U.K. as a 12” single B-side)
  15. Love Is War (B-side from Living In Sin single)
  16. Born To Be My Baby (Acoustic Version; previously released as a b-side in Japan)

DISC 2: The ‘SONS OF BEACHES’ Demos
  1. Homebound Train
  2. Judgment Day
  3. Full Moon High
  4. Growin’ Up The Hard Way
  5. Let’s Make It Baby
  6. Love Hurts
  7. Backdoor To Heaven
  8. Now And Forever
  9. Wild Is The Wind
  10. Stick To Your Guns
  11. House Of Fire
  12. Does Anybody Really Fall In Love Anymore?
  13. Diamond Ring

DISC 3 (DVD):
1. ‘ACCESS ALL AREAS: A ROCK & ROLL ODYSSEY’
Directed by Wayne Isham.
The original 1990 88-minute documentary of the band’s epic 16-month world tour in support of the NEW JERSEY album; includes rare backstage, on-the-road, and live concert footage.
First time released in the U.S. on DVD format

2. MUSIC VIDEOS From the NEW JERSEY album
All directed by Wayne Isham
  • Bad Medicine (1st Version)
  • Born To Be My Baby
  • I’ll Be There For You
  • Lay Your Hands On Me
  • Living In Sin
  • Blood On Blood
  • Bad Medicine (2nd Version)

The New Jersey Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions are set for release on July 1, although Australian music site Noise11 lists a June 27 date, so presumably the release dates will be staggered in different parts of the world. Other albums are set to get the "special deluxe" treatment this year, too.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Jon Bon Jovi & Kings of Suburbia Riviera Maya set list 4/5/14

Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia performed on May 4 as part of a Runaway Tours fan club trip to Mexico. Phil X isn't usually a member of the Kings but joined the band for this gig, as did JBJ solo show regulars Bobby Bandiera and Lorenza Ponce. This was the set list:

Cancun, Mexico - Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya - May 4, 2014
  1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles cover
  2. (Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party - The Showstoppers, J.Geils Band cover
  3. Lost Highway
  4. Whole Lot of Leavin'
  5. Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
  6. Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone cover
  7. Old Time Rock 'n' Roll - Bob Seger cover
  8. You Give Love a Bad Name
  9. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding - Brinsley Schwarz, Elvis Costello cover
  10. I'm Your Man - Leonard Cohen cover
  11. American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover
  12. We Got It Going On
  13. Under Pressure - Queen & David Bowie cover
  14. Baba O'Riley - The Who cover
  15. Because We Can
  16. The Letter - The Box Tops, Joe Cocker cover
  17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  18. Livin' on a Prayer
  19. 634-5789 - Wilson Pickett cover
  20. Bad Medicine

Were you at the show?

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Tess Boyer performs I'll Be There For You on The Voice

Tess Boyer performed Bon Jovi's "I'll Be There For You" during the first live rounds on the US version of The Voice.

Tess Boyer: "I'll Be There for You" (The Voice Highlight)


What did you think of her performance?

Thursday, April 17, 2014

David Bryan & Friends at Carrara Idol 2014

David Bryan performed in Milan, Italy for Carrara Idol on April 8, 2014, backed by the Matt O'Ree Band. He reportedly played the following songs (not sure on the set order):

  • Underground - from "Memphis" the musical
  • The Music Of My Soul - from "Memphis" the musical
  • Who Says You Can't Go Home
  • In These Arms
  • Wanted Dead or Alive
  • Bed of Roses
  • Memphis Lives in Me - from "Memphis" the musical
  • Livin' On a Prayer
  • Bad Medicine
  • When Love Comes to Town - U2 & BB King cover
  • Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover
  • Senza Una Donna / Without A Woman - Zucchero & Paul Young cover
  • Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover
  • Twist and Shout - The Top Notes/Isley Brothers/Beatles cover

Here's a selection of videos from the show:

David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Hallelujah + Senza Una Donna


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Music Of My Soul


David Bryan - Who Says You can't go Home Live at Carrara Idol


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 Bed Of Roses


David Bryan "Livin' on a Prayer" Carrara Idol 2014


David Bryan Carrara Idol 2014 When Love comes to town

Monday, April 7, 2014

Richie Sambora touring Europe in June

UPDATED 17/4/14: Here's a rundown of all the Richie Sambora tour dates that have now been announced for his upcoming June/July tour of Europe:

  • Sunday, JUNE 15th at DONINGTON PARK for the DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2014
  • Tuesday, JUNE 17th at 013 in TILBURG, HOLLAND
  • Thursday, JUNE 19 at BEETHOVENSAAL in STUTTGART, GERMANY
  • Friday, JUNE 20 at KESSELHAUS in MUNICH, GERMANY
  • Sunday, JUNE 22 at HUXLEY’S in BERLIN, GERMANY
  • Tuesday, JUNE 24 at E-WERK in COLOGNE, GERMANY
  • Thursday, JUNE 26 at BATACLAN in PARIS, FRANCE
  • Saturday, JUNE 28th at CLAPHAM COMMON for the CALLING FESTIVAL
  • Monday, JUNE 30th at OLYMPIA in DUBLIN, IRELAND**
  • Tuesday, JULY 1st at ULSTER HALL in BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND**
  • Thursday, JULY 3 at O2 ABC in GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

As she did in Australia, Orianthi will be joining Richie's band on guitar.

Are you going to any of these shows?

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Smith & Myers (Shinedown) cover Wanted Dead or Alive

This acoustic cover of "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Brent Smith and Zach Myers from Shinedown got a bit of publicity last year before anyone had even heard it... mainly because Bon Jovi had been singled out as the band "blocking" the release of Smith and Myers' (Acoustic Sessions) album. From what I can gather, Zach made a slightly flippant remark in an interview and a whole bunch of other websites jumped on it to blame Jon for not allowing a cover.

Anyway, "Wanted Dead or Alive" will now be released on (Acoustic Sessions, Pt. 2) along with three other songs for which publishing permissions couldn't be obtained in time for the first EP's release.

Check it out.

Smith & Myers - Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi) (Acoustic Cover)


What do you think of this acoustic version?

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Richie Sambora doesn't want to play Runaway again

Richie Sambora sat down for an interview with The Sun-Herald during his recent visit to Australia. Much of what he said has been mentioned in some form or another in previous interviews, but what stuck out for me was when Kate Waterhouse asked Richie if there were any songs he never wanted to play again and he said he didn't think he'd ever perform Runaway again:

The early Bon Jovi stuff I can't stand. I just think we didn't have our stylistic voice. But some people love some of that stuff. Like people are going "[play] Run Away" and I'm going "I hate that song! I'll never play it again!"

I know it's the only song from the first two albums that Bon Jovi plays these days and that neither he nor Jon are too fond of those albums. But given Runaway was written by Jon and George Karak before Richie was ever in the picture, and there may never have been a Bon Jovi band without it, I thought it was a strange example to use. And possibly one that signals Richie's intentions going forward.

Anyway, here's a video of Richie talking to Kate about the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, writing hit songs, and his feelings about Runaway.

Date with Kate: Richie Sambora


You can also read other extracts from the interview here.

Dolly Parton covers Lay Your Hands on Me

Dolly Parton's gospel version of Bon Jovi's "Lay Your Hands on Me" appears on her 2014 album Blue Smoke. Here's a live performance of it from her recent Australian tour.

Dolly Parton - Lay Your Hands On Me- Perth Arena - February 27th 2014


What do you think of it?

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Richie Sambora Soundwave Perth 3/3/14 & Melbourne 28/2/14 set lists

Richie Sambora finished his Australian tour by playing at Perth's Soundwave Festival, with he and his band dishing up a few surprises.

Perth, WA, Australia - Arena Joondalup - March 3, 2014
  1. Paranoid [Black Sabbath cover]
  2. Nowadays
  3. Burn that Candle Down
  4. Lay Your Hands on Me
  5. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  6. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  7. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  8. No Surrender [acoustic/Bruce Springsteen cover] / Wanted Dead or Alive
  9. Livin' on a Prayer

Being my hometown, not to mention the final Soundwave to be held in Perth (It'll be an "east coast only" festival from 2015) and possibly the only chance I'll ever get to see Richie do a solo gig, I decided to head up to Joondalup. Unfortunately I didn't get the video everyone wants (i.e. Paranoid) -- I think I was too stunned! Plus I was staying for the whole day/night so I needed my phone battery to last.

I had an awesome time and really enjoyed Richie's set, which was like a big jam session, but I've heard mixed reviews from various people that I can certainly understand. I don't think No Surrender was rehearsed -- Richie was mumbling his way through all the words -- and it's only because it's one of my favourite Springsteen songs that I recognised it when it started.

Two friends of mine also saw Richie's set. One thought he was "shit" and "off his f***ing tree". The other described the show as "passionate dirty blues guitar sex" and reckons it was the best version ever of Lay Your Hands on Me and Wanted. All agreed that Orianthi was brilliant. I'd give the performance a 7/10 but I would love to see Richie at one of his own headlining gigs, rather than the lunchtime slot at a festival that's not really his genre.

Meanwhile, this is the set list for Richie's Soundwave gig in Melbourne on February 28, which I'd been looking for:

Melbourne, VIC, Australia - Flemington Racecourse - February 28, 2014
  1. Burn That Candle Down
  2. Nowadays
  3. Lay Your Hands On Me
  4. Every Road Leads Home to You
  5. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  6. Wanted Dead or Alive
  7. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  8. Livin' on a Prayer

Did you catch Richie at any of the Soundwaves in Australia? What did you think of his performance?

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Richie Sambora Soundwave Adelaide set list 1/3/14

Richie Sambora and Orianthi returned to Ori's hometown of Adelaide to perform at Soundwave. Here's what they played:

Adelaide, SA, Australia - Bonython Park - March 1, 2014
  1. Nowadays
  2. Burn that Candle Down
  3. Lay Your Hands on Me
  4. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix cover]
  5. My Hometown - Orianthi
  6. Wanted Dead or Alive
  7. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  8. Livin' on a Prayer

Were you at the show?

Richie finishes his Aussie tour tomorrow, March 3, at what will be the final ever Soundwave Festival in Perth.

Richie Sambora Melbourne set list 27/2/14 + Purple Rain ft Corey Glover & Orianthi

Richie Sambora played a sold-out charity show for the Starlight Foundation at The Espy in Melbourne on February 27. Corey Glover from Living Colour, who's also on the bill for the Soundwave festivals, joined the band on stage for Purple Rain.

Were you at the show?

Melbourne, VIC, Australia - Esplanade Hotel - February 27, 2014
  1. Burn that Candle Down
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  4. I'll Be There For You
  5. Nowadays
  6. You Don't Wanna Know [Orianthi song] - Ori vox
  7. Wanted Dead or Alive
  8. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  9. Stranger In This Town
  10. Sugar Daddy
  11. Lay Your Hands On Me
  12. Seven Years Gone
  13. Livin' on a Prayer



    encore:
  14. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  15. It's My Life
  16. These Days
  17. Purple Rain [Prince cover] - Corey Glover vox
Richie Sambora & Corey Glover - Purple Rain (Melbourne) - amazing pipes!
I'm still waiting for Richie's set list for Soundwave in Melbourne on February 28. Anyone got a copy of it?

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Richie Sambora Sydney set list 26/2/14 + Purple Rain & Don't Change videos

Richie Sambora's headlining solo gig in Sydney last night brought some nice surprises. INXS drummer Jon Farriss joined him and the band on stage for "Don't Change", Orianthi sang "You Don't Wanna Know" from her latest album Heaven In This Hell, and the show finished with a huge cover of "Purple Rain".

Were you at the show?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Enmore Theatre - February 26, 2014
  1. Burn That Candle Down
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  4. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Simon & Garfunkel cover] / I'll Be There For You
  5. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi vox
  6. Wanted Dead or Alive
  7. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  8. Stranger In This Town
  9. Lay Your Hands On Me
  10. Seven Years Gone
  11. Livin' on a Prayer

  12. encore:
  13. Don't Change [INXS cover] - ft Jon Farriss
  14. It's My Life
  15. These Days
  16. Purple Rain [Prince cover]

Richie Sambora - INXS Jon Farriss - Orianthi - Don't Change (with a drum cameo from Today entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins before Jon enters the stage)


Richie Sambora and Orianthi - Purple Rain - Enmore Theatre Sydney 26-2-14


An evening with Jon Bon Jovi Las Vegas set list 25/2/14

Jon Bon Jovi played an acoustic "storytellers" gig as part of a Runaway Tours fan club trip to Las Vegas on February 25. I'm not sure if any videos will pop up as it was a private gig, but here's what was played:

Las Vegas, NV, USA - Hard Rock Cafe - February 25, 2014
  1. Every Word Was a Piece of My Heart
  2. Superman Tonight
  3. With These Two Hands
  4. It's My Life
  5. When We Were Beautiful
  6. Open All Night
  7. Can't Help Falling in Love [Elvis Presley cover]
  8. Amen
  9. Thick as Thieves
  10. (You Want To) Make a Memory
  11. The Fighter

Jon reportedly said during a Q&A that he had been, as we all suspected, the one who pushed for a new album and tour in 2013, but that all the guys committed to it before they went ahead. He also apparently said even if this was the end of the band, it's been a good 30 years, which is not to say it is the end. But it might be a much longer break this time.

Were you at the show?

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Music Feeds LIVE: Richie Sambora + Orianthi

After a delayed start, Richie Sambora and Orianthi, with Luke Ebbin on percussion, had a jam in the studio for Music Feeds Live today. You can watch the stream in full via YouTube.

Music Feeds LIVE: Richie Sambora + Orianthi


Here's what they played:
  • Norwegian Wood [The Beatles cover]
  • You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi
  • Seven Years Gone

Richie Sambora adds Melbourne sidewave + interviews

A last-minute show has been added to Richie Sambora's Australian tour. He and his band, including Orianthi, will perform at The Espy in Melbourne this Thursday, February 27. All profits will be donated to the Starlight Children's Foundation. Tickets are on sale now from Oztix.

Richie's other previously-announced sidewave is tomorrow, February 26 at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. Tickets are available from Ticketek.

Richie and Orianthi began this morning on TODAY, before crossing over to The Morning Show.

Richie Sambora Orianthi Interview Today Show Australia


TODAY: Richie Sambora performs 'Seven Years Gone'


Richie Sambora Interview on The Morning Show


They'll be streaming live from Music Feeds today at 5pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Richie Sambora Soundwave Sydney set list 23/2/14

Richie Sambora performed at Sydney Olympic Park for the Soundwave Festival. Here's what was played:

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Olympic Park - February 23, 2014
  1. Burn That Candle Down
  2. Nowadays
  3. Every Road Leads Home to You
  4. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  5. Wanted Dead or Alive
  6. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  7. Livin' on a Prayer

Were you at Soundwave in Sydney?

Richie will play at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on February 26 before more Soundwave dates in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth to finish his Australian tour. Music Feeds will also be broadcasting a live set by Richie and Orianthi on February 25 at 5pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time.

Richie Sambora Soundwave Brisbane set list 22/2/14

Richie Sambora kicked off his first Soundwave Festival in Brisbane. Here's what was played:

Brisbane, QLD, Australia - RNA Showgrounds - February 22, 2014
  1. Burn that Candle Down
  2. Nowadays
  3. Lay Your Hands On Me
  4. Every Road Leads Home to You
  5. Learning How To Fly With A Broken Wing
  6. Wanted Dead or Alive
  7. Beds Are Burning [Midnight Oil cover] / Livin' on a Prayer

Were you at Soundwave in Brisbane?

Music Feeds will also be streaming a set from Richie and Orianthi on Tuesday, February 25.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Richie Sambora Brisbane set list 20/2/14

Richie Sambora kicked off his Australian tour at The Tivoli in Brisbane last night. Aussie guitarist Orianthi, who has played with Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper in addition to her own solo material, joined Richie's band and sang lead vocals on part of Livin' on a Prayer.

Were you at the show?

Brisbane, QLD, Australia - The Tivoli - February 20, 2014
  1. Burn that Candle Down
  2. Every Road Leads Home to You
  3. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  4. Bridge Over Troubled Water [Simon & Garfunkel cover] / I'll Be There For You
  5. Nowadays
  6. Don't Change [INXS cover]
  7. Who Says You Can't Go Home
  8. Sugar Daddy
  9. Weathering the Storm
  10. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
  11. These Days
  12. Beds are Burning [Midnight Oil] / Livin' on a Prayer - Orianthi vox
  13. encore:
  14. The Answer
  15. Seven Years Gone
  16. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
  17. Wanted Dead or Alive
  18. Stranger in this Town

Richie's next intimate "sidewave" show is at Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Wednesday, February 26. Soundwave Festival begins this weekend:
  • Saturday, February 22 - Brisbane - RNA Showgrounds
  • Sunday, February 23 - Sydney - Olympic Park
  • Friday, March 1 - Melbourne - Flemington Racecourse
  • Saturday, March 2 - Adelaide - Bonython Park
  • Monday, March 4 - Perth - Arena Joondalup

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Richie Sambora Australian interview

Richie Sambora was interviewed by the Courier-Mail ahead of tonight's solo show at the Tivoli in Brisbane. He spoke about leaving the Bon Jovi tour and what fans can expect from his shows in Australia.

You can listen to the interview here:


If you're heading to the Tivoli tonight, you will also have the chance to enter a lottery to meet Richie Sambora after the show:

Hello, BRISBANE!! Psyched for tonight’s RICHIE SAMBORA show at THE TIVOLI? We know you are.
But how would you like to MEET RICHIE SAMBORA?
Here’s the deal in 8 easy steps…

1) Head over to The Tivoli. Doors open at 7:30pm.

2) Present your ticket.

3) Once you’re inside the venue, head over to the MERCHANDISE BOOTH where you’ll grab a LOTTERY TICKET (first come, first served.) And hey, grab a t-shirt or two while you’re at it!

4) Enjoy the show (remember — no opening act so you need to get there on time because it’s all Richie from about 8:15 onwards!)

5) After the show, RETURN TO THE MERCHANDISE BOOTH.
The WINNING LOTTERY NUMBERS WILL BE POSTED.

6) IF YOU’RE HOLDING A WINNING TICKET, REMAIN AT THE BOOTH.
The winners (4 in total, plus their guests) will be greeted by a representative from RICHIE SAMBORA’s TOUR STAFF.

7) WINNERS (and their guests) will be escorted by this TOUR STAFFER backstage.

8) WINNERS meet RICHIE SAMBORA! And hell yes! You can take a photo with him! (Tweet it, post it, share it…)

So, to recap the plan: get to The Tivoli early, head to the merch stand, grab a lottery ticket, enjoy a kickass rock ‘n’ roll show, then return to the merch booth after the show to see if you’re holding on of the winning lottery tickets to meet The King Of Swing!

Good Luck & Enjoy The Show!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Sambora set for Soundwave Festival

Richie Sambora's Australian tour kicks off this week in Brisbane. Meanwhile, the timetables for Soundwave 2014 have been released, with Richie playing at 1:15pm on Stage 1.

Richie has indicated that some Aussie covers could be in his set:
RICHIE Sambora is listening to a lot of Aussie music at the moment.

Before he plays the Soundwave festival in the mainland capitals and his own shows in Sydney and Brisbane, Sambora says he's been listening to INXS and Midnight Oil with a view to playing a few covers while he's here.

"I think it's great INXS have been recognised there with a [television] show," Sambora says.

"I was always a huge fan and I'm going through some of their songs to pick out something to play.

"I don't want to play anything too obvious though."

He has an idea for a Midnight Oil cover that he's keeping close to his chest before deciding to blend it in to a set list of tracks from his three solo albums and a string of hits he penned as part of Bon Jovi.
Read the full article here.

In an interview with Brisbane talkback radio station 4BC, Richie talked about teaching himself guitar at 13, playing with "one of the best guitar players on the planet" in Orianthi, getting to be a lead singer/front man at his solo shows, his unpopular "break" from Bon Jovi (he doesn't know if he'll go back or not).
You can listen to the interview here.

Richie also spoke to Hot FM Central Queensland about his daughter Ava, needing to be away from Bon Jovi, plastic surgery, how he'll never get sick of playing songs like Livin' on a Prayer in front of an audience, and his excitement about the upcoming Aussie tour.
Listen to the interview here.


Richie also joined Orianthi on stage at the Troubadour in West Hollywood on February 14 for a performance of Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Child".

Orianthi & Richie Sambora - Troubadour - 2-14-14 / Voodoo Child


Will you be at Soundwave or any of Richie's solo shows?

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

WORK: Bon Jovi photo book


Bon Jovi is releasing a new coffee table photo book entitled WORK, which is currently available for pre-order.

Here's what the Bon Jovi Facebook page had to say about it:
We are releasing an incredible Bon Jovi photo book titled WORK. The oversized, hardcover art book - weighing nearly five pounds - contains 208 pages of images by Bon Jovi’s official tour photographer David Bergman and shows the band members on stage, backstage, and inside their own homes. A special section features never-before-seen private photos taken by Jon Bon Jovi himself. Pre-order and reserve your copy today at http://BonJovi.com/Work

And what David Bergman himself said:
It’s finally here! I’m so excited to announce my new Bon Jovi coffee table book entitled WORK. It's the culmination of my ‘work’ on two world tours with the band and I’m so proud of it. #BonJoviWORK www.BonJovi.com/Work

The book is HUGE - it weighs nearly five pounds and is 14.4 inches tall and 21.6 inches wide when opened up. It contains 208 pages of big images from my time with the band so far - spanning back to 2010. There is a lot of never-before-seen material in there including photos from inside the hospital when Jon had knee surgery in 2011 (I never thought we would release those!). I also documented quiet moments with the band members backstage and at their homes along with energetic, powerful images on stages around the world.

** Since I’ve been teaching Jon about photography, there’s a very special section of private photos that he took himself!

You can pre-order the first copies of WORK right now at . In addition, we have a very limited number of my 2013 VIP photo books available that you can get along with your WORK pre-order. These have never been for sale and we’re not printing any more. They will sell out fast. Lastly, you can get a very special copy of WORK that will be signed and numbered by Jon Bon Jovi but there are only 350 of those so you’d better order quickly.

Huge thanks to my agent Warren Winter and our designer Greta Yvonne Harding for making the book happen.

I hope you enjoy the book and show it off on your coffee table for many years to come.

Will you be ordering a copy?

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Have a Nice Day and the evolution of Bon Jovi

This is a guest post by Shannon about the evolution (or devolution as some would argue) of Bon Jovi's music. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below!

I was cruising down the streets of my hometown this morning on the way to work, when the song “Novocaine” shuffled up on my iPod. I started singing along and tapping the steering wheel in time to the beat and realized that I had forgotten how much I liked the song. It’s not that I don’t listen to the Have a Nice Day record, but, well, maybe sometimes I don’t really listen to it.



Recently while driving I have been running through my favorite Jovi tunes in my head, trying to pick out which songs are my favorites from which records – I find it impossible to pick just ONE favorite out of the entire Bon Jovi catalogue, so I have to go album by album. Every time I get to Have a Nice Day, however, I can’t pick just one song. Or even two. That’s when I realize that I like the whole record. I mean, I really, really like it.

I like the rockin’ anthemic beat of “Have a Nice Day”. I like the message of “Welcome to Wherever You Are”. I sing along with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”. And it’s possible I was dancing in my chair at work today while blasting “Story of my Life”, but there were no witnesses and you can’t prove anything! *grin* I truly enjoy every song. When it was first released, I remember thinking, “THIS is the Bon Jovi that I know and love!” I am, sadly it seems, in the minority.



Over the years I’ve seen many comments in cyberspace from folks about how Slippery When Wet is the greatest Bon Jovi record of all time and they wish the band would start making music like that again. I don’t disagree that it’s a great record, but the guys were in their 20s when they made that. If they were still writing songs declaring that love is a social disease, I think I’d worry about them. Artists have to grow and develop and change. I still feel that there is a through line in all the Jovi records that lets me know it’s still my favorite band, but each record also changes and I think that’s great.

Initially I planned to write this piece as a defense of the HAND record since I know there are quite mixed feelings about it, but the writing process of this guest blog post changed my mind. I don’t think this record – or any other – has to be or needs to be defended (ok, ok, maybe I need someone to defend This Left Feels Right to me because I pretty much hate that record). Music is so subjective. It’s based so totally on personal taste. Just because I like or dislike something doesn’t mean it is good or that it’s bad. It simply means that my taste and preferences lean in one direction while someone else’s may lean in another.

I don’t expect to ever change someone’s opinion of the band and their music and its evolution; I can only share mine.

I’m a Jovi lifer. I’ve been at the party since the summer of 1984 when one of my two favorite songs was “She Don’t Know Me” (which is a whole other discussion since that’s the only song they’ve put on a record that they didn’t write and I know they don’t have good feelings about it, but I still love it). I’ve always been in it for the long haul and I personally love how their records change.

Would I want them doing all the way country? Of course not! But I enjoyed Lost Highway as something different. (Yes, I freely admit to liking the Lost Highway record and have no shame in that admission.) I also love cranking up Bounce and some of the hard cranking guitar on that record. Slippery flashes me back to the summer of 1986 when I waited soooo impatiently for its release and couldn’t understand why everyone else in the world didn’t feel the same way. 7800 Fahrenheit makes me think of a conversation with my older brother when I bought it in the summer of 1985. He heard the cassette (you know, those things we had before CDs?) playing in my bedroom and came in and stared at me saying, “Do you know what you bought?” Uh… he was not enthused (and I stopped trying to convert him into a fan years ago). But I sure was!

Do I love very song the band has ever recorded? Of course not! If I never hear “Joey” again it will be too soon. There are others, by why dwell on the negative? Someone out there loves the songs I don’t and hates the songs I love.

Circling back around to Have a Nice Day… I am sitting here typing and listening to the record and keep dancing around in my chair, wanting to sing along, but since I’m writing this blog on my lunch hour at work, I have the feeling full on belting out of tunes is likely frowned upon in the workplace. I’ll keep listening and loving though. That’s how I am with this band. I listen to every song and every record and while I might not love it all, I try to appreciate it. I try to enjoy it and if something isn’t my favorite, well, I have plenty of other tunes to jam to.

In the end, I’m simply grateful that the band keeps releasing new records. What About Now isn’t my favorite (another discussion for another day) and I was sick over the situation with Richie (not a discussion I even want to have anymore), but I still found tunes to enjoy on the new record. And if they release things that don’t thrill me on every track, well, I can always go back to Have a Nice Day and crank it up and have a listen.

What do you think of Have a Nice Day or the band's more recent output? What's your favourite Bon Jovi album?

About the Blogger:
Shannon works in higher education in South Carolina and is currently studying conversational French in an attempt not to shame herself greatly when she one day runs away to live in Paris. She has been a Bon Jovi fan since the summer of 1984 when she first discovered the band via MTV and the video for "She Don't Know Me". She first saw the band live in October 1985 in Columbia, SC when they were opening for the band Ratt in support of the 7800° Fahrenheit record after begging her parents for tickets for her 14th birthday. She's seen the band live 7 times (2 times in Columbia, SC - 1985 and 1989; Atlanta, GA in 2003; Charlotte, NC in 2006, 2010 and 2013; and Greenville, SC in 2006) and still gets a little giddy that David Bryan saw her "Happy Birthday" sign in 2006. Another proud moment is that she attended all but the 2013 show with her father, who started going with his teenager daughter to shows to keep her safe, but eventually turned into a big fan who never wanted to miss a gig! Shannon blogs about this and that (though admittedly not a lot about Bon Jovi) at Blonde Ambition (www.bonjovigrrrl.blogspot.com) and you can follow her on Twitter (@bonjovigrrrl), though she makes no promises about the nonsense she might tweet!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Phil X interview at NAMM 2014

Frankie DiVita from radio station 96.7 KCAL Rocks interviewed Phil X at the NAMM Show this year. Phil talked about his signature Yamaha guitar, getting the call from Jon Bon Jovi, the response from Bon Jovi fans, his session work, and his band The Drills.

Frankie DiVita chats with guitarist Phil X at NAMM 2014

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Richie Sambora announces sidewaves in Sydney and Brisbane

Richie Sambora, who will be performing at the Soundwave in Australia has added two additional shows in Sydney and Brisbane:


Tickets go on sale this Thursday, February 6 at 9am AEDT.

Check out the event page on Facebook.

The Soundwave Festival dates are as follows (Tickets still available from the Soundwave website):
  • Saturday, 22nd February 2014 - RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
  • Sunday, 23rd February 2014 - Olympic Park, Sydney
  • Friday, 28th February 2014 - Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
  • Saturday, 1st March 2014 - Arena Joondalup, Perth

Sunday, February 2, 2014

JBJ & Pat Monahan perform Wanted Dead or Alive (Howard Stern's birthday)

Jon Bon Jovi performed at Howard Stern's birthday bash at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on January 31.

He was joined by Pat Monahan from Train on this performance of "Wanted Dead or Alive". You can listen to the audio from the SiriusXM stream below:

Jon Bon Jovi - Wanted Dead or Alive (Howard Stern's Birthday Bash 2014)

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Vicky Jones performs Bed of Roses on The Voice UK

Vicky Jones performed Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses" for the blind auditions on The Voice UK this week. She is the sister of Danny Jones from English pop band McFly.

Vicky Jones performs 'Bed Of Roses' - The Voice UK 2014: Blind Auditions 3 - BBC One


With Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue both spinning their chairs around, Vicky got through to the next round and chose Sir Tom to be her mentor.

Did you like her performance?

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Jake Johnson ft Richie Sambora and Hugh McDonald

Richie Sambora and Hugh McDonald joined Hugh's stepson Jake Johnson on stage at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20. Here are a few videos.

Cocaine: Sundance- Richie Sambora, Hugh McDonald, Eric Munoz, Jake J


Crossroads: Richie Sambora, Hugh McDonald, Eric Munoz, Jake Johnson


Pride and Joy: Richie Sambora, Hugh McDonald, Eric Munoz, Jake Johnson


Meanwhile, old friends crossed paths again recently, with Phil X instagramming this photo of his son Xavier with "Uncle Hugh" at the 2014 NAMM show.




Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Bon Jovi 30th anniversary interview with Runaway co-writer



Bon Jovi's self-titled debut album was released 30 years ago this week. The Wire celebrated by interviewing songwriter George Karak, who co-wrote "Runaway" -- the song that eventually earned a young John Bongiovi a record deal and became Bon Jovi's first single.

"I was playing at a club called the Fast Lane in Asbury Park, and Jon [then John Francis Bongiovi, Jr] played on and off there also," Karak said. "I think I was opening up for [1970s and '80s rock band] Mink DeVille, and Jon was in the audience. He walked up to me after the set and basically said, 'I really like the way you write original music. Do you want to write some songs together?' I said, 'Sure, why not?'"
...
"'Runaway' was actually written in Jon's living room in Sayreville, New Jersey," Karak recalled. "I went to his house, I met his parents, I had spaghetti dinners with him. He's been to my house; we wrote songs at my place." They were never really close friends, Karak clarified. But not long after, "he calls me up and he says, 'George, hey, meet me for a drink at the Trade Winds. I got a record deal.'"
Read the full article here.

Jon and George also wrote a song called Talkin' In Your Sleep, which was later released by Jon's cousin Tony on The Power Station Years.
John Bongiovi / Bon Jovi - Talking in Your Sleep

Monday, January 20, 2014

Richie Sambora live at Sundance Film Festival

Richie Sambora played at Montage Deer Valley on January 19 during the Sundance Film Festival. Here are a couple of videos from the performance.

Taking A Chance On The Wind - Richie Sambora


I'll Be There For You - Richie Sambora 1/19/2014


Stranger In This Town - Richie Sambora Sundance 2014


Richie also joined alternative rock artists O.A.R. and Matisyahu on stage and met the US Olympic Ski Team before they head to the Sochi Winter Games.

Freeskiing Halfpipe and Slopestyle Team Naming - U.S. Freeskiing


Friday, January 17, 2014

Richie Sambora added to Soundwave Festival 2014

Richie Sambora has been officially added to Soundwave 2014 in Australia, joining a lineup that includes Green Day, Avenged Sevenfold, Stone Temple Pilots, and Alice in Chains. Aussie-born guitarist Orianthi, who recently played with Richie at benefit concerts for the Maui Food Bank and the Midnight Mission, will join him Down Under as part of his band.

Richie spoke to Music Feeds about coming down to Australia, singing Ori's praises and hinting that he might also do some sideshows in addition to the Soundwave dates. Listen to the podcast interview here.

Soundwave 2014 Dates & Venues:
  • Saturday, 22nd February 2014 - RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
  • Sunday, 23rd February 2014 - Olympic Park, Sydney
  • Friday, 28th February 2014 - Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
  • Saturday, 1st March 2014 - Bonython Park, Adelaide
  • Monday, 3rd March 2014 - Claremont Showgrounds, Perth
Tickets from the Soundwave Festival website.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Jon Bon Jovi performs at Citrix Summit

Jon Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia performed at the Citrix Summit at Universal Studios on January 14. I don't have a full set list, but these songs were among those played:
  • You Give Love a Bad Name
  • Wanted Dead or Alive
  • Who Says You Can't Go Home
  • Livin' on a Prayer
  • Old Time Rock 'n' Roll [Bob Seger cover]
  • Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [Beatles cover] - Bobby Bandiera vox

Here's a stripped down video of Livin' on a Prayer:
Bon Jovi @ Citrix Summit 2014 Orlando


Jon will also perform at Howard Stern's birthday bash on January 31 along with John Fogerty and Steven Tyler, and at a fan club trip to Las Vegas on February 25.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Richie Sambora and Orianthi - From Hollywood with Love videos & photos

Richie Sambora appeared at "From Hollywood with Love" on January 11, a fundraiser for the Midnight Mission. Some might remember Richie was awarded the 2012 The Golden Heart Award for his work with the Midnight Mission. He performed at this show with his Aftermath of the Lowdown solo band and guitarist Orianthi, who also sang on Wanted Dead or Alive.

Karl Larsen captured some photos of Richie and Orianthi at the event.

1AnitrasDance on YouTube also uploaded all of Richie's songs.

Taking a Chance on the Wind


Lean On Me [Bill Withers cover]


Heaven Help Us All [Stevie Wonder cover] / Stranger In This Town


Seven Years Gone


Midnight Rider [The Allman Brothers cover] / Wanted Dead or Alive


Livin' on a Prayer


Some really good renditions there. Regardless of how one might feel about Richie's actions over the past year or what his future is with Bon Jovi, I know I'd much rather see him making music and enjoying it rather than, say, flogging clothes around the world while nameless sources close to him spill rumours to gossip sites.

What did you think of the performance?

Monday, January 13, 2014

Richie Sambora Midnight Mission set list 11/1/14 (ft Orianthi)

Richie Sambora was one of the headliners for "From Hollywood With Love", a benefit concert for the 100th anniversary of homeless charity The Midnight Mission. The lineup for the show included blues rock guitarists Joe Bonamassa and Robben Ford.

This was Richie's set:

Los Angeles, CA, USA - Musicians Institute Concert Hall - January 11, 2014
  1. Taking a Chance on the Wind
  2. Lean On Me [Bill Withers cover]
  3. Heaven Help Us All [Stevie Wonder cover] / Stranger In This Town
  4. Seven Years Gone
  5. Midnight Rider [The Allman Brothers cover] / Wanted Dead or Alive
  6. Livin' on a Prayer

The Midnight Mission's Facebook page posted a clip of Richie soundchecking Wanted Dead or Alive with Orianthi (The video isn't very clear but she's the blonde guitarist in the hat).


Later, Orianthi sang lead vocals on part of Wanted. This video cuts off at the start of Richie's solo though.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Richie Sambora and Orianthi perform Lean On Me

Richie Sambora has been playing Bill Withers' Lean On Me at several charity events since leaving the Bon Jovi tour. This performance featuring Orianthi on guitar is from the star-studded New Year's Eve benefit concert for the Maui Food Bank.

Richie Sambora & Orianthi - Lean On Me - Maui - New Year's Eve 12-31-2013


Alice Cooper has since suggested the lineup for that gig -- which featured him, Steven Tyler, and Sammy Hagar among others -- should tour together.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Sambora joins star-studded NYE benefit in Maui

On New Year's Eve, Richie Sambora joined a plethora of big names including Alice Cooper, Steven Tyler, Sammy Hagar, the Doobie Brothers and Weird Al Yankovic on stage in Hawaii for a star-studded benefit gig for the Maui Food Bank. Richie was a surprise inclusion at the gig; he was in Hawaii for the holidays with his daughter Ava. TMZ posted a short snippet of "All You Need Is Love".

Guitar goddess Orianthi also posted some photos of her and Richie on Instagram from the show.





Richie may not have spent a lot of time in 2013 with the band that made him famous, but he sure got to jam with some cool people.