Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Spicks and Specks Bon Jovi fail

Still a little over a week before Bon Jovi's tour resumes in Europe, but I just stumbled across this clip from comedic Australian music quiz show Spicks and Specks. Adam Hills asks Alan Brough's team how Bon Jovi got their name and hilarity ensues.



In case anyone is wondering, the show is named after a Bee Gees song, and the word "spick" isn't used as a racial slur in Australia. I think "spicks and specks" roughly translates to "bits and pieces".

Monday, May 30, 2011

If I Was Your Mother cover + Milwaukee photos

Bon Jovi will probably never perform If I Was Your Mother live again (I'm happy to be proven wrong, Jon), but here is a terrific cover courtesy of Blame It On The Love reader bounce442, along with some of his pictures from the Milwaukee concert (aka the night the world didn't end).

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Phil X tribute



And the last word from the "phil-in" himself:
TheRealPhilX Wow!!! Thank you so much for this. Kinda like 3 weeks flashing before my eyes.
Phil X
25 May

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Videos from St Louis

The North American leg of Bon Jovi's 2011 tour ended in St. Louis on May 22. It's been confirmed that it was Phil X's last show with Bon Jovi, so presumably Richie Sambora will return for the European tour.

Anyway, here are some selected videos.

Last Man Standing

Jon performs the song from the 100 level of the Scottrade Center before making his way through the crowd and back onto the stage.

Dry County

Phil's solo was "different" again but hardly awful given he's a fill-in as opposed to a replacement. Jon also changed the "He'd be back, back someday" lyric to "He'd be back come Judgement Day". Good overall performance.

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Takin' Care of Business

Sleep with one of their rarer "jukebox covers" in a light, fun performance.

Wanted Dead or Alive

Jon thanked the fans and Phil in his final show and again dedicated the song to "Brother Richie". The crowd sings the first verse and Phil sings the second.

Blood on Blood

Lyric change: "Richie's doin' the best that he can. Well me, I'm here, a singer of a grateful rock 'n' roll band." Nice touch. I also love this song and personally I think it's better away from the opening spot.

I'll Be There For You

This kind of became a Richie tribute song during this leg of the tour. Additional lyrics as follows (Corrections welcome):
If you want me to
I'll be there for you
Come on...
If you want me
Oh, I'll be there for you
I'll be your shoulder to lean on
I'll be the bus
I'll be the neighbour you can call
Count on me
Oh
You can count on me
Whoa
Call my name
Call my name
And I'll come runnin', baby
I'll come runnin', baby

Check out Hath's Circle Tour Blog for more videos.

Thought I'd also give serpephone a plug, as there are lots of great videos from the North American leg on her account.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Bon Jovi's dedication to Howard Camping

Howard Camping is the guy who claimed the Rapture would occur on May 21, 2011. Luckily Bon Jovi survived to perform in Milwaukee that night. This is their rendition of the R.E.M. classic It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). It's not the full song (that would have been a heck of a lot of words to learn, even while reading off a teleprompter) but enough for Jon to make the point, I think.



Although if Jon's guitar string snapped because of this song, maybe it IS a sign of the end of the world...

St Louis set list

This was the last show in North America. Phil X confirmed on Twitter ahead of the concert that it would also be his final show with Bon Jovi.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA - Scottrade Center - May 22, 2011
Last Man Standing
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
In These Arms
Superman Tonight
It's My Life
Runaway
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Keep The Faith
When We Were Beautiful
(You Want To) Make A Memory
I'll Be There For You
Who Say's You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Takin' Care of Business [Bachman Turner Overdrive cover]
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Have a Nice Day
Blood On Blood

Encore:
Dry County
Wanted Dead or Alive [Phil X on lead vocals for 2nd verse]
Livin' on a Prayer
Twist and Shout [Isley Brothers cover]

Check out Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the videos and links as they come.

Blame It On The Love on Twitter

Blame It On The Love got its own Facebook page back in January. With the end of Bon Jovi's North American tour in sight, I've just given it its own Twitter page.

The username is @bonjoviblog. I have linked this Twitter account to the existing Facebook page, so the tweets and statuses will basically be the same, except for when I'm responding to individual queries. However, I know some Facebookers hate Twitter and some tweeters hate FB, so I wanted to cover all bases.

And of course, you can always follow me @lilkenobi if you don't already. :)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Milwaukee set list

Who says Jon Bon Jovi doesn't have a sense of humour? The Rapture was predicted to occur on the night of Bon Jovi's Milwaukee concert, but we seem to be okay. Tthe band played R.E.M's It's the End of the World.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA - Bradley Center - May 21, 2011
Lost Highway
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) [R.E.M. cover]
It's My Life
Runaway
The More Things Change
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Hot Legs [Rod Stewart cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me
When We Were Beautiful
Bed of Roses / Can't Help Falling in Love [Elvis Presley cover]
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
Whole Lot of Leavin'
Blood on Blood
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

Check Hath's Circle Tour Blog for videos and related links as they come.

The original R.E.M. song

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Memphis Lives in Me and Bed of Roses videos

Here's the moment many of us have been waiting for... David Bryan performing Memphis Lives in Me from Memphis: The Musical at Bon Jovi's May 19 concert.


EDIT: Hockadoo! Here's another video of Dave's performance. Man, I love this song.


I also posted Bed of Roses from the Memphis show because I know some people have been complaining about Bobby Bandiera's solos on it. Well, Phil X is playing the solo here (You can't see him, because the camera is on Jon the whole time, but you can hear it). Bob played an acoustic guitar.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Memphis set list

Bon Jovi hit Memphis, where David Bryan's Tony-award winning Broadway musical is set... and Dave got the opportunity to sing Memphis Lives in Me in the biggest surprise of this current leg.

Memphis, Tennessee, USA - FedExForum - May 19, 2011
Lost Highway
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
The More Things Change
It's My Life
Runaway
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
Memphis Lives In Me [David Bryan on lead vocals]
(You Want To) Make A Memory
Bed of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
Whole Lot of Leavin'
Wanted Dead or Alive
Blood on Blood
Livin' on a Prayer

Check out Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the videos and other goodies as they become available.

Jon Bon Jovi in Forbes Celebrity 100

Forbes recently released its Celebrity 100 list for 2011. They rank the "richest and most powerful celebrities in the world" annually, and this year Jon's at number eight. Ahead of him are Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, U2, Elton John, Tiger Woods, and Taylor Swift, while Simon Cowell and LeBron James round out the top 10. Check out the full list, along with the factors that were considered and profiles of everyone who made the list at this link.

There's also an article about JBJ and the business of touring:
The next time you play Rock Band don't invite Jon Bon Jovi. The 49- year-old singer's wife and kids recently convinced him to give the popular videogame a try. So he picked up the microphone and launched into a rendition of his classic "Wanted Dead or Alive," backed by family on virtual guitars and drums. He never made it through the song.

"I failed--it buzzed me down," Bon Jovi admits over lunch in Manhattan. "So I stood up off the couch and I said, 'All right, goddamn it, press play.' They did it again, I failed again, and I said, 'Everybody's going to bed. That's the end of this. Turn that shit off.'"

Fortunately for Bon Jovi, audiences in real arenas around the world are kinder. His eponymous band took home $125 million over the past 12 months by FORBES' estimates, more than any other music act besides U2--and more than relative whippersnappers Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Kanye West combined. In the past year the band has played 74 gigs in 15 nations, grossing $203 million in ticket sales and $20 million in merchandise; Bon Jovi ranks No. 8 on this year's Celebrity 100.
Read the full article here.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Phil X solo guitar spin

This video of Phil X's Lay Your Hands on Me solo from Bon Jovi's Atlanta show has been doing the rounds a bit so I figured I may as well post it. He spins his guitar around his body much like Bruce Springsteen which is pretty cool.

Houston set list

Still a pretty short set by Bon Jovi standards, but we did get a bit of variation in Houston that had been lacking at the previous four shows.

Houston, Texas, USA - Toyota Center - May 17, 2011
Lost Highway
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
Runaway
It's My Life
The More Things Change
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover] / Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me
What Do You Got?
(You Want To) Make a Memory
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
In These Arms
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer

Visit Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the videos and media links as they come.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Orlando set list

If you read Bon Jovi's Orlando set with a feeling of deja vu, you're not alone. It's almost the exact same set we've had at the previous three shows (Atlanta, Des Moines, and Columbus) -- Only this time, we didn't even get Someday I'll Be Saturday Night. Phil X is certainly capable of playing more than this so I'd say it's a case of Jon checking out ahead of Europe. Hopefully it was still a great show in person!

Orlando, Florida, USA - Amway Center - May 15, 2011
Lost Highway
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
Runaway
It's My Life
Work For The Working Man
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Hot Legs [Rod Stewart cover] / Shout! [Isley Brothers cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
(You Want To) Make a Memory
Bed Of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Blood on Blood
Have A Nice Day
Keep The Faith

Encore:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer

Check Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the videos and media links for this concert.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Atlanta set list

Looks like Jon isn't even bothering to hit shuffle on his iPhone when it comes to Bon Jovi setlists anymore. Apart from Hot Legs replacing Roadhouse Blues in the Bad Medicine medley, the Atlanta set was identical to the previous show in Des Moines (which was in itself identical to the Columbus show apart from the addition of one song). Hopefully it was a killer performance/show for everyone who was there.

Atlanta, Georgia, USA - Philips Arena - May 14, 2011
Lost Highway
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
Runaway
It's My Life
Work For The Working Man
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Hot Legs [Rod Stewart cover] / Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me
(You Want to) Make a Memory
Bed of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
Blood on Blood
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead or Alive
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Livin' on a Prayer

Hath's Circle Tour Blog will have all the videos and media links from this concert in due course.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Jon Bon Jovi gets serious with at-risk youth

Bon Jovi are playing in Atlanta tonight, but the stopover is also a chance for Jon to fulfil some of his White House Council duties:
The Friday meeting with young adults from Atlanta-based Chris Kids and Visions Youth Leadership Academy, as well as civic leaders including Atlanta City Council member Michael Julian Bond, was the second session for Bon Jovi and [fellow Council member Michael] Kempner. The first was last month in New Orleans and more, scheduled during days off on Bon Jovi’s tour, are planned in Houston and New York.

Now with two listening sessions behind them, Kempner and Bon Jovi, who happily posed for photos with the group after the meeting, are hearing some similar requests.

“It’s all about trust. In both cities, we’ve heard they want a role model to believe in them, and there’s a real need for life skills,” Kempner said.

“They love the idea of being mentored,” Bon Jovi added, “and want to remind you that behind the facade, they’re kids. These kids are determined to buck the system and that is just exemplary.”.
Read the full article here.

Des Moines set list

Blame It On The Love's host Blogger was down for more than 24 hours so I couldn't access the dashboard to update. Some recent posts might be missing but they should be restored soon. And if you have a blog, back it up! You never know what may happen.

Anyway, I can now give you Bon Jovi's set list for Des Moines... though it's virtually identical to that of the previous show in Columbus, apart from the addition of Saturday Night in the encore.

Des Moines, Iowa, USA - Wells Fargo Arena - May 12, 2011
Lost Highway
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
Runaway
It's My Life
Work For The Working Man
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover] / Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
(You Want To) Make A Memory
Bed Of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Blood On Blood
Have A Nice Day
Keep The Faith

Encore:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Livin' On A Prayer

Check Hath's Circle Tour Blog for links to videos and media from the show in due course.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Videos from Columbus and Uncasville

Not too long now before Bon Jovi plays in Des Moines, so let's catch up on a few videos from the previous two shows.

From Columbus, Ohio (May 10, 2011)...

Wanted Dead or Alive

Jon rests a fan's JBJ and Richie Sambora dolls on his guitar during Wanted.
To David Bryan: "No that's not you! It's me!" Poor Dave! :P

Who Says You Can't Go Home (partial)

Why the heck would I put Who Says, I hear you ask! Well, it's less for the song and more for the funny moment where Jon stops the song in the middle to have a chat to event security guard Troy about how women stick their boobs in his face trying to take photos. Everyone is out of time when Jon tells the band to resume the song from the second chorus, but he doesn't give anyone the Infamous Stink-Eye. ;)

I'll Be There For You

Filmed from the pit (i.e. from behind Jon) as Jon is out on the platform. Additional lyrics (I think -- corrections welcome as always):
I'll be there for you
If you want me to
I'll be the air for you
I'll do anything
Well, I'll be there for you
Ooh yeah
Ooh yeah
Oh, I'll be there for you
If you want me to be
Through this driving rain
I'll take the weight of the world off your shoulders
Just call
Just call my name
Just tell me, my friend, that you'll be comin' back again
And I'll be there
I can hear you
Let me hear you
Let me hear you sing!

And from Uncasville (May 7, 2011)...

Last Man Standing

I guess Have a Nice Day is considered fairly mediocre in many circles, but it's an album that means a lot to me personally so it's been good to see this played semi-regularly since The Circle Tour, even if I'm not 100% sold on it as an opener, and there are other HAND songs I prefer.

So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star

This Byrds cover was rather unexpected. Not sure if it has special significance or if Jon just felt like throwing it in. Prior to this, Rock 'n' Roll Star was last performed at the Jon Bon Jovi and Friends Starland Ballroom show in January.

More videos on Hath's Circle Tour Blog.

Columbus set list

This was Bon Jovi's first show in Columbus since the Have a Nice Day tour. Lost Highway seems to be opening the show a lot this leg, while it's nice to see Blood on Blood getting a run in places other than the opening spot.

Columbus, Ohio, USA - Nationwide Arena - May 10, 2011
Lost Highway
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
We Weren't Born To Follow
Runaway
It's My Life
Work for The Working Man
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover] / Old Time Rock & Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
(You Want To) Make a Memory
Bed Of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Blood On Blood
Have A Nice Day
Keep The Faith

Encore:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer

Check out Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the video links for this show in due course.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Uncasville set list

The last time Bon Jovi played at Mohegan Sun, on March 4 this year, they certainly dished up a shockingly diehard-centric show but I don't think we were expecting anything quite so extraordinary this time around.

Uncasville, Connecticut, USA - Mohegan Sun Arena - May 7, 2011
Last Man Standing
We Weren't Born To Follow
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
Lost Highway
Whole Lot of Leavin'
It's My Life
The More Things Change
We Got It Going On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
(You Want To) Make A Memory
What Do You Got?
I'll Be There For You
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Who Says You Can't Go Home
In These Arms
Livin' On A Prayer

Encore:
So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star [The Byrds cover]
Have A Nice Day
Blood On Blood
Wanted Dead Or Alive

Check Hath's Circle Tour Blog for all the video links when they come.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Video: Wanted in Montreal

Thanks to Johanne for recording and posting this on the Blame It On The Love Facebook page. It's Bon Jovi's performance of Wanted Dead or Alive in Montreal on May 4, 2011. One of the ways they are trying to cover Richie Sambora's absence is by getting the crowd to sing his parts.



More videos from the most recent shows Canada are at this link.

NYC set list

Bon Jovi in Uniondale, Long Island. Lorenza Ponce, best known to Jovi fans as the violinist on the Lost Highway tour, was the support act and also joined the band on stage.

New York City, New York, USA - Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum - May 6, 2011
Lost Highway
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
The More Things Change
It's My Life
Runaway
We Got It Going On
Bad Medicine / Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover] / Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
What Do You Got?
Bed of Roses
I'll Be There For You
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night [ft Lorenza Ponce]
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Dancing in the Streets [Martha & the Vandellas cover] / Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
In These Arms
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer

Video and media links will be on Hath's Circle Tour Blog in due course.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Bon Jovi videos from Canada

So... A few days ago, Bon Jovi visited Phil X's country of birth (Canada) for the first proper Bon Jovi shows since Richie Sambora checked into rehab.

Here is a selection of videos from Montreal (May 4, 2011)...

Dry County

Some people have said Dry County is the one song that Bon Jovi should not have done without Richie... or that Phil X "murdered" the solo or words to that effect. It does sound noticeably different, but this is my favourite song and I don't feel that the guitar ruined it, but that's my personal view.

In These Arms

Jon hands the lead vocals to David Bryan for the second verse. I love Dave's voice, so it's always a little thrill for me when he gets his moments in the spotlight.

Diamond Ring / Bed of Roses

The video focuses on Jon out on the platform. No Richie harmonies on Diamond Ring obviously, while Bobby Bandiera took lead guitar for Bed of Roses.

And a couple from Ottawa (May 3, 2011)...

Lay Your Hands on Me

To be honest, I prefer Jon singing Lay Your Hands on Me. (But I LOVE Richie singing Homebound Train.) Jon sings an extra part in the middle here before the instrumental break, so for those wondering about the lyrics, this is what I heard:
I need you
I want you
Lay your hands on me
Wrap your lovin' arms around my back
Hold me closer
Tell me everything'll be alright

I'll Be There For You

Jon out on the platform without his right hand man. He adds an extra part here, too, during the "whoa oh ohs". It's similar to the ad libs on Always at Wembley Stadium in 1995 on the Live From London DVD:
I'll be there for you
Through the wind
Through the storm
Through the driving rain
Through that hard walk home
Right beside you now
Yeah, I've got you now
I'll be there
You want me, I'll be there
I'll be right beside you
Carryin' the weight of the world on your shoulders
Come on
Corrections for those ad libs are welcome.

Check out Hath and Co's Circle Tour Blog for more video links from the shows.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Montreal set list

Bon Jovi in Montreal usually nets at least a decent set, but there was some doubt about that this time given the band is playing with a fill-in guitarist. Some people were worried the sets were going to be stagnant and vanilla for the rest of the month with Phil X on guitar. Others didn't want the band playing something they considered "sacred", that only Mr Richie Sambora should be allowed to play. Well, this is what we got.

Only the three "official" band members in Jon, Tico Torres and David Bryan went out to the circle platform for the ballad/acoustic portion of the evening, with Phil X remaining on the main stage with Hugh McDonald and Bobby Bandiera. Dave also took lead vocals for one verse of In These Arms.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada - Bell Centre - May 4, 2011
Lost Highway
We Weren't Born To Follow
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
Superman Tonight
The More Things Change
It's My Life
Runaway
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine Roadhouse Blues [The Doors cover] / Old Time Rock & Roll [Bob Seger cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
Hallelujah
Diamond Ring
Bed Of Roses
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night acc. [acoustic]
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Rockin' All Over the World [John Fogerty cover]
In These Arms [David Bryan on partial vox]
Have a Nice Day
Keep The Faith

Encore:
Dry County
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer
Blood on Blood

Check out Hath & Co's Circle Tour Blog for all the video and media links for the show in due course.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ottawa set list

Bon Jovi hit Canada for what was the first "proper" (i.e. non-festival) concert with Phil X on lead guitar.

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Scotiabank Place - May 3, 2011
Blood On Blood
We Weren't Born To Follow
You Give Love A Bad Name
Born To Be My Baby
Lost Highway
Whole Lot Of Leavin'
It's My Life
Runaway
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Lay Your Hands On Me
(You Want To) Make A Memory
What Do You Got?
I'll Be There For You
Who Says You Can't Go Home
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Work For The Working Man
Have A Nice Day
Keep The Faith

Encore:
When We Were Beautiful
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin' On A Prayer
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night

Check out Hath's Circle Tour Blog for video links as they come.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Phil X on board for May, Richie back for Europe?

Fill-in guitarist Phil X has tweeted that he's currently scheduled to play with Bon Jovi for all the shows in May:
Thanks for all the messages & support re last night's show @ Jazzfest. At this time I'm on board for the shows in May. Woohoo!!!
8 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone
That would take us to the end of the North American leg. There is a gap from May 22 to June 8, when the European shows kick off in Zagreb. I think the plan is for Richie Sambora to rejoin the tour in Europe, but we'll see what happens. Some fans have tweeted Phil about specific shows during May, and he's said "at this stage" he's set to play, so I guess the door is still open for Richie to return sooner if he's ready.

Here are some other Phil X tweets related to his latest job:
Phil X

Waking up in New York. I think I finally got a good 6 hours sleep. Busy morning before my flight to New Orleans. Happy Friday.
29 Apr

Phil X

Play in front of 50,000 people w one if the biggest bands in the world, jump into a G4, fly to NYC & read a review of the show upon landing.
1 May

Phil X
@ I like Richie's work. I'm just helping out man. We're all hoping he's better soon.
12 hours ago

EDIT: I thought it was worth adding this tweet, to help alleviate some people's concerns:
Phil X
Already getting tired of the press using the word "replaced" instead of "filling in" or "covering for". RS will be back & kicking ass soon.
10 hours ago via Twitter for iPhone

Videos: Bon Jovi at Jazz Fest ft Phil X!

Phil X -- guitarist for The Drills and highly sought-after session musician -- filled in for Richie Sambora for the first time in New Orleans on April 30, 2011. It was strange to watch but he did a good job. Unfortunately, some Bon Jovi fans have been taking their anger out on Phil on his Facebook page. All I can say to that is that Phil isn't the one who needed to check into rehab, nor is he the one who made the decision to continue the tour.

Bobby Bandiera played the solos for You Give Love a Bad Name, Lost Highway (which was minus the instrumental section they added on The Circle Tour), The More Things Change, and Have a Nice Day. Also, serpephone filmed most of the show and deserves our gratitude for sharing it on YouTube. Here is a selection of videos.

It's My Life

Phil's first chance to show off his talkbox skills in front of the Jovi faithful. Jon prefaces this with: "So what's been goin' on in your life, anything exciting? Any piece of press out there?" At least I think that's what he said. Someone correct me if I misheard the Jerseymumble. ;)

Bad Medicine / Oh Pretty Woman

All fun and games with Jon and Bobby practically flirting... apart from the bit where Tico Torres makes a mistake and Jon flies off the handle, kicking an amp (about 6:45 into the video). Most of us have seen Jon have a bit of a sulk and give someone the stink-eye when something doesn't quite go right, but I think this reaction had a little extra stress behind it.

Lay Your Hands on Me

Jon on lead vocals again. David Bryan, Bobby and Phil X share out the instrumental that was added at the end of February.

Have a Nice Day

Bobby's best solo of the day.

Keep the Faith

Ripping solo from Phil X!

Wanted Dead or Alive

By no means is this terrible, but if I had to pick one song where the Sambora touch is missed the most, it'd probably be Wanted.

Livin' on a Prayer

"I send this out to our brother Richie."

Whether the band should have continued to tour without Richie is still a polarising issue, but given the decision has been made to keep playing, I'm relieved they got such a capable guitarist. We could certainly be doing a lot worse than Phil X...

Sunday, May 1, 2011

New Orleans Jazz Fest set list

Bon Jovi resumed their tour at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The much-talked about lead guitar role was not filled by Bobby Bandiera, but rather, Phil Xenidis (aka Phil X). Other band members took up parts they normally wouldn't have. Livin' on a Prayer was dedicated to Richie Sambora.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - New Orleans Fair Grounds - April 30, 2010
Blood on Blood
You Give Love a Bad Name
Born to Be My Baby
We Weren't Born to Follow
Lost Highway
Whole Lot of Leavin'
It's My Life
Runaway
The More Things Change
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Dancing in the Streets [Martha & the Vandellas cover] / Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
We Got It Goin' On
Bad Medicine / Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Lay Your Hands on Me
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Work for the Working Man
Have a Nice Day
Keep the Faith

Encore:
Wanted Dead or Alive
Livin' on a Prayer

See Hath's Circle Tour Blog for videos and media links in due course. I'm sure I'll be posting a few too.

Meanwhile, here's a video of Phil X playing Richie's Flying V for Fretted Americana.

Sambora a chance for Jazz Fest?

All reports seem to indicate that Richie Sambora will be in rehab when Bon Jovi takes to the stage at New Orleans' Jazz Fest, but this article by The Times-Picayune's Keith Spera seems to suggest he could still play:
However, as I left the Fair Grounds around 8:45 p.m. on Friday after filing my last reviews, the Bon Jovi road crew was already assembling the band's gear on the Acura Stage. Tico Torres' massive drum kit was in place; it will be moved to the back of the stage as other bands perform Saturday.

Interestingly, at stage right stood a standard microphone and the tube device used for "talk box" guitar solos.

A member of the crew confirmed that this was Sambora's guitar rig. So would Sambora actually make the gig at Jazz Fest? "We'll see what happens," said the roadie, declining to elaborate further.
Intriguing. I guess we will all know soon enough.