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.