Adam Hills on the power of Bon Jovi

I was just introduced to this clip of Australian comedian Adam Hills on the power of Bon Jovi's music to bring people together. I think he was hosting BBC's stand-up show Live at the Apollo. Check it out.

Adam Hills - Bon Jovi VERY FUNNY

Richie Sambora the special guest at Ernie White Christmas concert

Richie Sambora made a surprise guest appearance at a benefit concert in New Jersey on December 22:

Sambora, the estranged lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, delighted the crowd at a Hamilton benefit for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen by jumping onstage unannounced on Sunday evening. The guitarist, who wore a red Santa hat ringed by leopard-patterned fur, joined an expanded version of Ernie White's band for renditions of "Silent Night," "Merry Christmas, Baby," "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and other holiday favorites. Sambora jammed with more than a dozen musicians.

The show, which was held at Princeton Manor, was White's 14th annual all-star holiday benefit. White, a veteran of the same Shore circuit that produced Bon Jovi, grew up in Trenton.

Read the rest of the article here.

Here's some video of the event:

Richie Sambora Is Surprise Quest @ The 14th Annual Christmas Benefit Concert

Jon Bon Jovi interview on Ten

Jon Bon Jovi was recently interviewed by Channel Ten's Angela Bishop in Australia.

He talked about the snowstorm that threw the start of the tour into chaos, Richie Sambora's sudden departure, Sofia the 1959 Buick stadium stage, growing up in the spotlight, and retiring sometime before his 81st birthday.

Bish's Biz | Bon Jovi

Richie Sambora performs Lean On Me at Hollywood Christmas Parade

Richie Sambora performed his rendition of a Bill Withers classic at this year's Hollywood Christmas Parade, for the benefit of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Richie Performs "Lean on Me" at The 82nd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade


He also performed the song at the 24 Hours of Reality / Cost of Carbon event in October.

Videos from Sydney Entertainment Centre

The set list raised a few eyebrows, but love it or hate it, Bon Jovi's December 15 concert at the Sydney Entertainment Centre produced more surprises than any other show on the Australian leg. Here are a few videos from that night. (Check out the full set list and a pro shot of Happy Xmas here).

Hallelujah


The Fighter


Thick As Thieves


When We Were Beautiful

EDIT: The audio track for When We Were Beautiful has been muted due to a copyright claim. Other live performances of the same song have also been muted... In fact, the only versions of When We Were Beautiful that seem to be available for listening on YouTube are the official video and Live on Letterman performance -- both on the VEVO channel.

These Days


Always


Love's the Only Rule


Blood on Blood

Bon Jovi Brisbane set list 17/12/13

"Thank you, goodnight, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year," said Jon at the end of a three-hour show in Brisbane. And with that, Bon Jovi signed off on the tumultuous Because We Can tour. The final show was streamed live around the world via the Telstra and Bon Jovi websites.

Were you there in person, or watching online?


Brisbane, QLD, Australia - Suncorp Stadium - December 17, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make a Memory
15. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover (Tico Torres solo)
    / Highway to Hell - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
20. Bad Medicine
encore 1:
21. I'll Be There For You
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Have a Nice Day
24. In These Arms
25. Livin' on a Prayer
encore 2:
26. These Days
27. Always
28. Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry cover
29. I Love This Town

Bon Jovi Sydney set list 15/12/13 + Happy Xmas (War Is Over) video

Bon Jovi had plenty of surprises in store for what had been billed as a "special encore performance" in Sydney. Were you there?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - Sydney Entertainment Centre - December 15, 2013

1. When We Were Beautiful
2. Love's The Only Rule
3. You Give Love A Bad Name
4. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
5. Runaway
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. Work For The Working Man
9. Captain Crash and The Beauty Queen From Mars
10. Bad Medicine
11. Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen cover
12. The Fighter
13. Thick As Thieves
14. Blood On Blood
15. We Weren't Born To Follow
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. Wanted Dead Or Alive
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
19. Livin' On A Prayer

encore 1:
20. I'll Be There For You
21. I Love This Town
22. Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry cover
23. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono cover

encore 2:
24. These Days
25. Always

Bon Jovi's YouTube channel uploaded a pro-shot video of Happy Xmas. The choir was made up of some members of the crew.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - December 15, 2013 - Sydney AU - #TheFinal7

Bon Jovi Sydney set list 14/12/13 + Old Time Rock n Roll ft Kid Rock

Bon Jovi headed to Sydney for the first of two shows in the city. Support act Kid Rock and his band joined Bon Jovi on stage for Old Time Rock 'n' Roll. Were you there?

Sydney, NSW, Australia - ANZ Stadium - December 14, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. Old Time Rock n' Roll - Bob Seger cover (ft. Kid Rock)
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Goin' On
11. Keep The Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Diamond Ring
15. (You Want To) Make A Memory
16. Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars
17. Born To Be My Baby
18. We Weren't Born To Follow
19. Who Says You Can't Go Home
20. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover (Tico Torres solo)
    / You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
21. Bad Medicine
    / Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
22. In These Arms - David Bryan vox on 2nd verse
23. Wanted Dead Or Alive
24. Have A Nice Day
25. Livin' On A Prayer

It will be interesting to see if Bon Jovi has something special planned for the arena show at Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Here are some videos of "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll":

Old Time Rock and Roll Bon Jovi and Kid Rock


Bon Jovi and Kid Rock - Old Time Rock n Roll - this one captures the start

Bon Jovi medley in Adelaide

Bon Jovi has arguably done "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" to death over the years, but this medley in the middle of that song was easily one of the most fun moments of the tour. Great to see the band cut loose in Adelaide, a city they hadn't visited in 18 years.

The video features:

• Start Me Up
• Great Balls of Fire with David Bryan on lead vocals and keys
• Dancing in the Street with Hugh McDonald on lead vocals and bass
• Wipe Out featuring Tico Torres
• You Shook Me All Night Long with Phil X on lead vocals and guitar

Bon Jovi - AAMI Stadium Adelaide 11/12/13

Richie Sambora talks Bon Jovi, new music and Stevie Wonder

With the Bon Jovi tour wrapping up in a few days, Richie Sambora has spoken to The Hollywood Reporter about his reasons for leaving. He mentions the family reasons he cited previously. But this bit is probably more telling:

As for looking ahead to 2014, the looming question for Bon Jovi fans remains: Will Sambora rejoin the group? “Yes, I would think about it for sure,” he says. "There’s no malice here. You get along for 30 years, that’s a damn good marriage. ... I was coming out of something a little bit different with my solo record, Aftermath of the Lowdown, and it just didn’t go in the right direction for me artistically, which is not to say it’s a bad thing."

Solo ambitions aside, months on tour and in the studio simply took away from his other life. "I did 14 cycles for 30 years, so I missed a lot," he explains. "A lot of life happened. And I also had three solo albums and tours, wrote songs for other people. ... Burnt isn’t the right word, but I almost fell out of love with music and I needed to fall in love with it again.”

Sambora insists that reports of a rift concerning money are “baloney," adding, "You look at your bank account, and you see the currency of love and happiness is more important than the currency of money."

In other words, he just didn't want to be there. Which is fair enough... There were plenty of burnt out fans who felt, and still do, that this album and tour cycle had been rushed or forced. And had Richie done something before the tour or maybe even during the break between the first and second legs -- instead of leaving the band with no lead guitarist on the day of a show -- I don't think many people would have been upset with him.

As for any upcoming solo music, Richie had this to say:

For now, Sambora is content just to play music and hinted that there is more on the way -- two albums' worth, but it won't be coming out via his Aftermath of the Lowdown label, Dangerbird.

“They blew me off the second week of my album," he says. "I put that single out and then the president [Jeff Castelaz] left and went to work for Elektra,” he says. “I want to get together with people that I like, who I have relationships with, and try to build a brand. Go out and gig on my own and make a living."

So he was probably already disillusioned heading out onto the road with Bon Jovi. But once again, had he not suddenly left Bon Jovi without a guitarist in Calgary, he'd have a lot more support (beyond his pocket of most ardent fans) than he currently does.

Richie also talked about performing with Stevie Wonder on December 1:

The duet, of Christmas classic "Silent Night," happened organically. Says Sambora: "I've been involved with Toys for Tots, the Boys and Girls Club and Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital in Miami over the last seven or eight years. ... When they asked me to play and said LeAnn Rimes, the Goo Goo Dolls and Stevie Wonder [were on the bill], I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if I could play with Stevie Wonder?’”

The two had met before -- briefly in London at a show with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, but had never shared the stage. Luckily, Sambora knew some of the guys in Wonder’s band, who vouched for him.

Nearly two weeks later, Sambora is still pinching himself. “It is almost beyond words," he says. "He was the guy that I emulated when I was a boy, and he taught me how to sing. It was an honor to meet your teacher. The first thing I did was whisper in his ear, 'I’m sure you get this a lot, but you were my inspiration as a singer.' The first thing he said is, 'You do the first verse!'”

Read the full article here.

Check out the duet:

Richie Sambora and Stevie Wonder Perform at Hollywood Christmas Parade


I usually find performances of Christmas songs quite naff, but that was a bit different and I enjoyed it... What did you think?

Bon Jovi Perth set list 12/12/13 + Review and Videos

After originally leaving my hometown off their Australian tour, Bon Jovi slipped into Perth last night for what was the 100th show at Perth Arena. Were you there?

Perth, WA, Australia - Perth Arena - December 12, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. Lost Highway
3. Whole Lot of Leavin'
4. You Give Love a Bad Name
5. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
6. In These Arms - David Bryan vox on 2nd verse
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick as Thieves
15. Born to Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born to Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Rockin' All Over the World - John Fogerty/Status Quo cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Roadhouse Blues - The Doors cover
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover

encore:
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Livin' on a Prayer

I had a feeling a shorter set might be on the cards after Adelaide the night before, but I didn't know what to expect at the first arena show of the Australian leg. It was a strange set, and I don't entirely agree with all of it, but I had a lot of fun and the band seemed to as well. Perth Arena is a little over a year old now and has proved a fantastic concert venue. And it was nice not to be able to predict the whole first hour! I was happy to get "The Radio Saved My Life Tonight", which is easily one of my favourites on the box set. "Always" was listed as an audible and would have received a great reception in the encore -- I'm sure the crowd would have sung most of it for Jon.

Here are my videos of "Radio" and "Thick as Thieves".

Bon Jovi - The Radio Saved My Life Tonight (live) - Perth 2013 #thefinal7


Bon Jovi - Thick as Thieves (live) - Perth 2013 #thefinal7

Bon Jovi Adelaide set list 11/12/13

Bon Jovi played in Adelaide for the first time in 18 years. There were some changes to the set for anyone who might have been at the Melbourne shows, and Huey McDonald even got to sing for quite possibly the first time since 1995 -- during an epic Sleep medley.

Were you there?

Adelaide, SA, Australia - AAMI Stadium - December 11, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Goin' On
10. Keep The Faith
11. When We Were Beautiful
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make A Memory
15. Born to Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas/Bowie & Jagger cover (Hugh McDonald vox)
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover (Tico Torres solo)
    / You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
20. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
21. Work For The Working Man
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Have A Nice Day
24. Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry cover
25. Livin' On A Prayer

Phil X joins the "brotherhood" + Bon Jovi Melbourne videos

At last night's end-of-year crew party, Phil X and photographer David Bergman both received the Slippery When Wet medallion, which is awarded to people who serve two Bon Jovi world tours. I think you usually have to be on the whole tour to get the medallion, but it's safe to say Phil has gone above and beyond what was expected of a fill-in, first in May 2011 and now for almost all of 2013.



Meanwhile, here are some videos I captured from Melbourne. I thought someone on the floor might have a better version of these but if they've uploaded them, I haven't stumbled across them yet. These ones are from the second night (December 8).

Bon Jovi - Diamond Ring (live) - Melbourne 2013 night 2 #thefinal7


Bon Jovi - Dry County (live) - Melbourne 2013 night 2 #thefinal7


Bon Jovi - These Days (live) - Melbourne 2013 night 2 #thefinal7


Bon Jovi - AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Surfaris live medley - Melbourne 2013 night 2 #thefinal7 - Start Me Up, Wipe Out, You Shook Me All Night Long (Phil X on lead vocals), and the end of I'll Sleep When I'm Dead


I also got That's What the Water Made Me and the full I'll Sleep When I'm Dead medley (featuring Jumpin' Jack Flash, Great Balls of Fire sung by David Bryan, and Run Run Rudolph) from the first night (December 7).

Bon Jovi's YouTube channel also uploaded a pro-shot video of "Lost Highway" from the first night.

Lost Highway - Melbourne, AU - December 7, 2013

Jon Bon Jovi responds to Richie Sambora's Today show interview

When Richie Sambora was in Australia for the Melbourne Cup about a month ago, he sat down for an interview with Today entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins.

Bon Jovi kicked off their Aussie tour over the weekend. This time Wilkins spoke to Jon, and obviously the topic of Richie came up again. I'm not sure if everyone can view the link, so I transcribed the "juicy" part of the interview.

RW: Let's talk about the elephant in the room. I spoke to [Richie] a little while back, I don't know if you saw...

JBJ: Yeah, I saw it.

RW: What did you think?

JBJ: You know, I've only ever said the same thing. It was personal issues, right? He was never fired. And as he finally admitted on television, there was never a fight. He just didn't show up. And we've been talking a little bit. You gotta go to work, Rich. If you don't go to work...

RW: The popular consensus was that you the ultimate showman, the complete pro, the benevolent dictator was sort of at odds with the party boy. Was that close to it?

JBJ: In as much as I went to work, you know. And like I said what he's gonna admit to you is... I've only ever said very clearly, personal issues, he can tell you as much as he wants to.

RW: Were you concerned that Richie's absence could affect business?

JBJ: Absolutely. He didn't do it to hurt me. He didn't do it to hurt David or Tico. He did it for personal reasons. But that doesn't stop the rest of the machine from rolling and fortunately the fans all realise that and supported us throughout.

RW: Will he be back do you think? Maybe?

JBJ: He's not been fired. I only ever said the same thing.

Hmm... Watch the interview here.

Bon Jovi Melbourne set list 8/12/13 + Review #thefinal7

Bon Jovi returned for night 2 in Melbourne and let's just say, as a diehard fan you'd be pretty annoyed if you went to the first show and skipped the second, but luckily for me I saw both... Were you there?

Melbourne, Vic, Australia - Etihad Stadium - December 8, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make a Memory
15. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Wipe Out - The Surfaris cover
    / You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
20. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
21. Dry County
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Have a Nice Day
24. I Love This Town
25. These Days
26. Livin' on a Prayer

First things first: I finally got Dry County and These Days live!

When I arrived at the venue, I didn't know what sort of show to expect but started to get really excited when I heard Diamond Ring being soundchecked. A few songs into the show, Jon promised there would be a lot of different stuff for night 2, and while the first 10 songs were identical, hints of change came in the acoustic/semi-acoustic set on the circle platform, which hadn't been utilised the previous night. Most people in the stands sat down and waited for a big hit during this part of this show -- A few sang along to Saturday Night -- but I was delighted to get Diamond Ring.

Maybe only a handful of the crowd knew what was coming when David Bryan played the first chord of Dry County, but I was so happy I wanted to cry. And to get These Days as well... I was, perhaps greedily hoping for Always, the return of Bed of Roses, maybe even Never Say Goodbye but I knew it was highly unlikely. And I've managed to forgive Jon for throwing I Love This Town into the show. :P

I have videos of Diamond Ring, Dry County, These Days, and the Sleep medley but it might take a while to upload. I was also back in the stands, so there might be people on the floor who have better videos.

Some of my criticisms of night 1 still stand, including Jon's voice, the overrepresentation of Lost Highway, and the lulls that come with certain songs they keep playing. But I thought in terms of performance the show was great, with Jon seeming to find an extra gear in the energy department.

AC/DC went down a treat as soon as Phil started that opening riff. They really should play this at all the remaining Australian dates. There are five more to go. I've got one more show personally -- my hometown gig at Perth Arena...

Meanwhile, I don't know if someone had a word to Kid Rock or not but he changed most of his set from the first night. Telstra Road to Discovery winner Jesse Teinaki opened the show.

Bon Jovi Melbourne set list 7/12/13 + Review

Bon Jovi began their Australian tour last night for the first of two shows in Melbourne, and I was there. Were you in the crowd too? I'll share my thoughts on the show below, but here's what they played:

Melbourne, Vic, Australia - Etihad Stadium - December 7, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. (You Want To) Make a Memory
12. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
13. Born to Be My Baby
14. We Weren't Born to Follow
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry cover
17. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
18. In These Arms - David Bryan vox on 2nd verse
19. Runaway
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Livin' on a Prayer

As you can see, especially if you've been following the set lists on this tour, there were no surprises (unless you count the Christmas song, but it is December now). Jon has been below his best vocally for much of the tour, and was again tonight... I don't know how much casual fans picked up on it, but Jon's voice cracked a few times, squeaked very noticeably during Faith, and he compensated by changing the timing of songs, speaking instead of singing in parts, sometimes skipping whole lines for the band or crowd to sing. Dave and Bobby in particular, and Phil to a lesser extent, really saved his arse.

Jon's nose was really red and I know I personally have been struggling with allergies in Melbourne the past couple of days so that could be a factor, since the stuff you take for hay fever etc tends to dry up your vocal cords, which obviously isn't good for a singer. But it doesn't change the unfortunate fact that his voice has been off all year. He also wore a jacket for the whole show, which surprised me given he's performing in an Australian summer.

I was further back than I have been for Bon Jovi before and from this perspective, there were very noticeable ebbs and flows. The girl next to me spent most of the night texting and I saw her update her Facebook status to something like "Basically every Bon Jovi song after 1999 is a pile of shit with wank juices" -- Given I love a lot of stuff from 2000 onwards, I disagree with the sentiment but they are picking the wrong songs, especially if they're not even going to mix anything up anymore. You really don't need all those Lost Highway songs. I love Memory, but it doesn't belong in that spot after everyone has got back on their feet for Faith, but at least it was a single that a few people seem to know... Whole Lot of Leavin' is just an energy sapper. So is Born to Follow, which certainly shouldn't follow Baby -- the choruses are almost identical. If you're going to play a song from The Circle, make it something good like Thorn In My Side or Love's the Only Rule (but I guess Jon's not going to change things when there are only a handful of shows left). And no one knows Because We Can! Stop trying to turn it into a singalong... It hasn't worked at any other show. While we're on that topic, Who Says wasn't a hit outside of North America and Jon should try to remember that.

From the Sleep medley to the end, the energy was right up and it's a shame they can't keep things at that level for the whole show.

Despite my comments, I actually had a really good time. I wasn't expecting any surprises, which is the way to go this tour. It was nice to have Bon Jovi as my first event at Etihad Stadium. I also got to hear David sing live for the first time.

Kid Rock was the main support act in his first ever Australian tour. I could take or leave his music but he is one entertaining mofo. Can't help but love his energy. Angie McMahon was opened after winning the Telstra Road to Discovery competition and she was lovely, but I do feel for support acts.

Anyway, I'm back at Etihad tonight for Round 2 so hopefully Jon took care of himself last night and fingers crossed for a good show.

Jon Bon Jovi and Kid Rock on The Project

Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed by Anthony "Lehmo" Lehmann for last night's episode of The Project. Jon talked about fans sticking by them despite Richie Sambora's absence, the legend that is Livin' on a Prayer, and his much-publicised role in Australian bride Branka's special day.

Check out the Jon Bon Jovi interview here.

Kid Rock is supporting Bon Jovi for the stadium shows and joined Charlie Pickering, Carrie Bickmore, Lehmo, and Waleed Aly live on The Project panel. He talked about touring Australia for the first time, getting Jon into trouble, stage names, the Kid Rock cruise ship, and celebrities going off the rails.

Check out the Kid Rock interview here.

Bon Jovi arrives in Australia

Bon Jovi has touched down in Australia ahead of their two concerts at Etihad Stadium this weekend. Jon spoke to the media about longevity, Prince William, and the role of Phil X.

Bon Jovi back in Melbourne



I'm currently in Melbourne too, having decided to make the trip across the country for these shows.

Bon Jovi Tokyo set list 4/12/13 + Phil X sings AC/DC

Bon Jovi continued on to Tokyo on their Because We Can tour, with David Bryan and Phil X again getting a bit of extra (deserved) spotlight. Phil sang AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" during the Sleep medley in what was likely to be a preview of the upcoming Australian shows.

Were you at this concert?

Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo Dome - December 4, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. (You Want To) Make a Memory
12. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
13. Born to Be My Baby
14. We Weren't Born to Follow
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
/ Rockin' All Over the World - John Fogerty/Status Quo cover / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover / Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox) / You Shook Me All Night Long - AC/DC cover (Phil X vox)
17. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

encore:
18. In These Arms - David Bryan vox on 2nd verse
19. Have a Nice Day
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Livin' on a Prayer

This video showcases Dave and Phil's parts in the Sleep medley.
BON JOVI Tokyo Dome Live2013

Bon Jovi Osaka set list 3/12/13

Bon Jovi kicked off the final leg of the Because We Can Tour in Osaka. Were you there?

Osaka, Japan - Kyocera Dome Osaka - December 3, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. In These Arms
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
14. I'll Be There For You
15. Born to Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born to Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover (Phil X vox)
19. Bad Medicine
encore:
20. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Runaway
24. Livin' on a Prayer

Jon Bon Jovi reflects on his latest and most challenging world tour

Ahead of the final leg of Bon Jovi's Because We Can tour, which takes the band to Japan and Australia, Jon talked about the "challenges" that have faced them this year, beginning with the snowstorm in Connecticut and culminating in Richie Sambora's departure and Tico Torres' surgeries. Here's what Jon had to say about Richie:

Bon Jovi, while at pains to dismiss the rumours of a feud between the pair, says he hasn't spoken to his band mate in months - but the ball is firmly in Sambora's court.

"Richie was never fired from the band," Bon Jovi says. "He just didn't come to work any more. Some day when this is all over, the three of us would like to talk to him and say 'what happened'.

"If you didn't go to work tomorrow I think ultimately your editor or your publisher would say 'where are you?'. So there you go - he was never fired, we certainly have no animosity and when the tour is over he can come and see me and Tico and Dave and explain what happened."

Jon also talked about his political and social side and walking Aussie bride Branka down the aisle at Graceland Chapel. Read the full article here.

Livin' on a Prayer with JBJ, Taylor Swift & Prince William

Jon Bon Jovi, with a little help from Lorenza Ponce on violin and Bobby Bandiera on guitar and backing vocals, performed at the Winter Whites Gala at Kensington Palace. In a video that's been doing the rounds on mainstream media, Taylor Swift and Prince William joined JBJ at the microphone for an acoustic rendition of Livin' on a Prayer.

Taylor Swift, Bon Jovi, and Prince William sing 'Living On A Prayer' at the Winter Whites Gala

Richie Sambora "will be back": TMZ

In a short TMZ video at the airport, Richie Sambora said he would be back with Bon Jovi sometime after the current tour and that he was doing some solo shows in Australia in January.

Richie Sambora -- I Will Reunite With Bon Jovi

Richie Sambora -- I Will Reunite With Bon Jovi
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Richie Sambora performs Wanted for the Dream Foundation

Richie Sambora recently performed at an annual fundraiser for the Dream Foundation. Here is his acoustic version of "Wanted Dead or Alive" featuring members of his solo band.

Richie Sambora Performs "Dead or Alive" for the Dream Foundation


What do you think of the performance?

Jon Bon Jovi interview on Fifi and Jules

While on tour in Montreal recently, Jon Bon Jovi was interviewed on Australian radio by Fifi on the Today Network. He spoke about touring Australia, walking Aussie bride Branka down the aisle, and fresh new talent like New Zealand teenager Lorde. Listen to the interview here.

Phil X honours memory of young Mississauga woman by playing her guitar in concert

The Toronto Star recently published an article about the guitar Phil X played during Wanted Dead or Alive in Toronto on November 2. The custom-designed guitar had been given to The Guitar World by the family of a young woman named Kara who died suddenly in September:

Enter rock star Phil Xenidis, known as Phil X, who recently replaced Richie Sambora as the guitarist with Bon Jovi.

Xenidis, a Mississauga native and friend of [The Guitar World store owner Jim] Toris, saw the post about Kara. “All I saw was this young girl with a huge smile holding up the guitar she just got,” he says. “And it put a big smile on my face.”

He read about her death and how the family wanted people to play her guitar and “I just texted my buddy Jim on the spot to say ‘I’d love to play Kara’s guitar when we play the Air Canada Centre with Bon Jovi,’” he says.

The gesture was beyond what anyone had imagined, Toris says, adding “he blew my mind away when he explained how he wanted to be part of it.”

Xenidis didn’t want to make a fuss. “I didn’t even tell Jon (Bon Jovi),” he says. “I didn’t tell anybody. For me it was more of a personal touch, something I wanted to do for the family.”

Read the full story here.

Bon Jovi - WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE - PHIL X - Toronto - 11-02-2013

Bon Jovi Montreal set list 8/11/13

Bon Jovi played a long show in Montreal for what was the last show of this leg, and final North American show of the tour. A woman reportedly jumped onto the circle platform to kiss Jon during Make a Memory, while David and Phil both got to sing during the Sleep medley. Never Say Goodbye got a rare outing during the encore.

Were you there?

Montreal, QC, Canada - Bell Centre - November 8, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Diamond Ring
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep when I'm Dead
    / Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover (Phil X vox)
20. Bad Medicine
encore:
21. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Wanted Dead or Alive
24. In These Arms
25. Always
26. Livin' on a Prayer
27. Never Say Goodbye - acoustic
28. I Love This Town

Bon Jovi Raleigh set list 6/11/13

Bon Jovi hit North Carolina for their final US show and second last North American show of the Because We Can tour. Were you there?

Raleigh, NC, US - PNC Arena - November 6, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Runaway
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want to) Make a Memory
15. Born to Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine

Encore:
20. I'll Be There For You
21. Wanted Dead Or Alive
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer
24. Always

Bon Jovi Philadelphia set list 5/11/13

While Richie Sambora was presumably enjoying the coffee and fashion in Melbourne, Bon Jovi hit the stage in Philly. Were you at the show?

Philadelphia, PA, USA - Wells Fargo Center - November 5, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make A Memory
15. Born To Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

encore:
20. In These Arms - David Bryan vox
21. Runaway
22. Have A Nice Day
23. Livin' On A Prayer
24. Blood On Blood
25. Always

Richie Sambora: Melbourne Cup, Breeders' Cup, Come Back as Me fan vid

Brief video has emerged of Richie Sambora performing an acoustic version of Livin' on a Prayer at yesterday's Melbourne Cup, where he was a guest of Lavazza.




He also makes an appearance in this video segment from Sunrise (at about 1:53) on the fashions at Flemington Racecourse this year:

Celebrities frock up for Melbourne Cup
Before flying out to Australia, Richie performed the Call to Post at the Breeders' Cup on a guitar instead of the traditional bugle: Richie Sambora Makes History at 2013 Breeders' Cup And for fans of Richie's recent solo stuff, he has also been plugging this fan video of his song "Come Back As Me", submitted by Aubrie in Australia: Richie Sambora - Come Back as Me

"Family first" Richie Sambora: Interview with Australia's Today show

Richie Sambora, in Australia for the Melbourne Cup, spoke to Today's entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins about why he isn't on tour with Bon Jovi. He cited the need to put his family first and spend time with Ava, and also said he thought there should have been a longer break between the last tour and this one -- something a lot of people would agree with. Check out the interview here.

Richie Sambora on the Today Show - November 5, 2013



A few things don't quite add up, such as why Richie would leave it so late to decide not to play in Calgary and why he had previously implied he might be back later in the tour if things were resolved. Richie also said he's been sober for eight years, but he missed shows as recently as May 2011 because he was in rehab -- that's how most of us knew who Phil X was in the first place. But this is probably as close to the horse's mouth as we are going to get anytime soon.

What are your thoughts on the interview?

Bon Jovi Toronto set list 2/11/13

Bon Jovi's second of two consecutive Toronto shows (and fourth for the tour) eventually brought some changes from the night before. It also marked Bon Jovi's 17th show at the Air Canada Centre, a record for any band performing there, and was commemorated with the unveiling of a banner at the arena and induction into the new ACC wall of fame.

Were you at the show?

Toronto, ON, Canada - Air Canada Centre - November 2, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. Fire - acoustic, Bruce Springsteen cover
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
20. Bad Medicine
    / Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover

encore:
21. Dry County
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Have a Nice Day
24. Livin' on a Prayer
25. In These Arms
26. Always

Bon Jovi Toronto set list 1/11/13

David Bryan sang Great Balls of Fire when the Bon Jovi tour resumed for the first of two consecutive nights in Toronto. Were you at this show?

Toronto, ON, Canada - Air Canada Centre - November 1, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Goin' On
10. Keep The Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make A Memory
15. Born To Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis cover (David Bryan vox)
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care Of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
Encore:
20. Runaway
21. Wanted Dead Or Alive
22. Have A Nice Day
23. Livin' On A Prayer

Richie Sambora heading to Melbourne Cup

Richie Sambora is coming to Australia, but unless there's a very major development in the next few weeks, it won't be for the Bon Jovi tour in December. He'll be Down Under for the Melbourne Cup on November 5:

Richie Sambora is headed to Australia!

But we're not sure Bon Jovi fans should get too excited; he is coming here for the Melbourne Cup as a guest of coffee-maker, Lavazza.

Sambora is, of course, a founding member of Bon Jovi.

"I'm pumped to be coming to Australia as a guest of Lavazza and I can't wait for Melbourne Cup Day," said Sambora, who performs at this weekend's Breeder's Cup at Santa Anita Park in California ahead of his Australian trip.

Read the Triple M article here.

Richie was also interviewed by TMZ Sports about the Breeder's Cup.

David Bergman interview on Silverman: On Sports

Bon Jovi tour photographer David Bergman was interviewed on Silverman: On Sports recently. He talked about Tico Torres's recent medical scares; rumours in the media (touching on the Richie Sambora saga and Jon's hoax death); Branka and Gonzo's wedding; Jon's love of football; and why photographing Bon Jovi is his dream gig despite his sports background.

You can listen to the interview here.

Wanted Dead or Alive + JBJ's tribute to Phil X in Uncasville

Jon Bon Jovi reflected on the ups and downs of the tour this year and paid tribute to Phil X in his speech following Wanted Dead or Alive at Mohegan Sun.

Wanted Mohegan Sun 2013 Welcome to the world Xavier

Bon Jovi Uncasville set list 25/10/13 (and congrats Phil X!)

Some changes to the set for Bon Jovi's concert in Uncasville, which was supposed to be the first show of the tour back in February until severe snowstorms forced the gig to be rescheduled. A couple of new songs from What About Now made a reappearance, as well as a classic in Bed of Roses.

Were you at this show?

Uncasville, CT, US - Mohegan Sun - October 25, 2013

1. Lost Highway
2. That's What The Water Made Me
3. You Give Love A Bad Name
4. Born To Be My Baby
5. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
6. Superman Tonight
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
11. Keep The Faith
12. Bed of Roses
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick As Thieves
15. (You Want To) Make A Memory
16. Army of One
17. We Weren' t Born To Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. Bad Medicine
    / Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
20. I'll Sleep when I'm Dead
Encore:
21. Wanted Dead Or Alive
22. Livin' On A Prayer

In other news, Phil X's wife Lindy gave birth to their son Xavier Joshua Xenidis the day before this show. Congratulations to the family!

Richie Sambora performs Lean on Me at #CostOfCarbon event

Richie Sambora and his solo band performed Bill Withers' "Lean On Me" as part of 24 Hours of Reality, a live-streamed multimedia event to raise awareness of the effects of carbon pollution. Check out the performance below.

Bon Jovi Chicago set list 23/10/13

It's only been a little over three months since Bon Jovi's last concert in Chicago. And I suspect that oversaturating the market over the past few years has more to do with the reportedly poor ticket sales this leg than the continuing absence of Richie Sambora, but I've heard mixed reviews about this show. Were you there?

Chicago, IL, USA - United Center - October 23, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Diamond Ring
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Born to Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine
    / Old Time Rock 'n' Roll - Bob Seger cover

encore:
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Work for the Working Man
23. I'll Be There For You
24. Runaway
25. Have a Nice Day
26. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Green Bay set list 22/10/13

A few nice change-ups for Bon Jovi's Green Bay show. Were you there?

Green Bay, WI, USA - Resch Center - October 22, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
6. Lost Highway
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Diamond Ring
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Born To Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive cover / start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

Encore:
21. Happy Now
22. Wanted Dead or Alive
23. Blood on Blood
24. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Lincoln set list 20/10/13

Were you at this show?

Lincoln, NE, USA - Pinnacle Bank Arena - October 20, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Runaway
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got it Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make a Memory
15. Born to be my Baby
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
18. Bad Medicine

Encore:
19. Wanted Dead or Alive
20. Have a Nice Day
21. Livin' on a Prayer
22. Always

Bon Jovi Little Rock set list 18/10/13 + It's Only Make Believe video

Bon Jovi's show in Little Rock featured a cover of Conway Twitty's It's Only Make Believe dedicated to Arkansas native and former President Bill Clinton. Were you at this show?

Little Rock, AR, USA - Verizon Arena - October 18, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Runaway
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because we can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep the Faith
11. It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty cover
12. Someday I'll be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make a Memory
15. Born to be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born to Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Dancing in the Street - Bowie/Jagger cover (originally Martha & the Vandellas)
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

Encore:
20. I'll Be There For You
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer

Here's a video of It's Only Make Believe, followed by Saturday Night.
Bon Jovi - Little Rock, AR 10/18/2013 - "It's Only Make Believe" "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night"

Bon Jovi Dallas set list 16/10/13

Dallas got a similar set list to the show in San Antonio, but it's nice to see Blood on Blood make a comeback in the encore. Were you at this show?

Dallas, TX, USA - American Airlines Center - October 16, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep The Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make A Memory
15. Born To Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Takin' Care of Business - Bachman-Turner Overdrive cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

Encore:
20. Runaway
21. Wanted Dead Or Alive
22. Have A Nice Day
23. Livin' On A Prayer
24. Blood on Blood

Bon Jovi San Antonio set list 15/10/13

Diamond Ring was perhaps the surprise inclusion at Bon Jovi's San Antonio concert. Were you at the show?

San Antonio, TX, USA - AT&T Center - October 15, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Going On
10. Keep The Faith
11. Amen
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Diamond Ring
14. (You Want To) Make A Memory
15. Born To Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

Encore:
20. In These Arms
21. Runaway
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Have A Nice Day
24. Livin' On A Prayer

JBJ walks fan down the aisle + Bon Jovi Las Vegas set list 12/10/13

In the weeks leading up to this concert in Las Vegas, Australian woman Branka's dream of having Jon Bon Jovi walk her down the aisle at the Graceland Chapel (where Jon married Dorothea in 1989) began to gather momentum. Well, it really happened... Jon did turn up to be part of Branka and Gonz's big day, before doing his scheduled gig.



Congratulations and all the best to the happy couple. :)

Were you at the Vegas show?

Las Vegas, NV, USA - MGM Grand Garden Arena - October 12, 2013

1. Last Man Standing
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. That's What The Water Made Me
4. Lost Highway
5. Whole Lot of Leavin'
6. It's My Life
7. Because We Can
8. What About Now
9. We Got It Goin' On
10. Keep The Faith
11. (You Want To) Make A Memory
12. Superman Tonight - acoustic
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Fire - acoustic, Bruce Springsteen cover
15. Born To Be My Baby
16. We Weren't Born To Follow
17. Who Says You Cant Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It) - Rolling Stones cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
20. Wanted Dead Or Alive
21. Have A Nice Day
22. Livin' On A Prayer

Bon Jovi Los Angeles set list 11/10/13

It seems like a long time ago but the last time Bon Jovi played in Los Angeles (in April -- six months ago) there had been a bit of speculation that Richie Sambora, who'd only left the tour at the start of that month, might make a return in his home city. No such whispers this time around, with Phil X still on guitar and Richie on a promotional tour with Nikki Lund for their clothing line. I think a lot of fans lost interest in the drama one way or another a while ago... but who knew back in April how this saga would have panned out?

Anyway, were you at this show?

Los Angeles, CA, USA - Staples Center - October 11, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Goin' On
11. Keep the Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick As Thieves - acoustic
15. (You Want To) Make A Memory
16. Born To Be My Baby
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Rockin' All Over The World - John Fogerty/Status Quo cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

encore:
21. In These Arms
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Have a Nice Day
24. Livin' on a Prayer
25. Always

Bon Jovi Anaheim set list 9/10/13

Were you at this Bon Jovi show?

Anaheim, CA, USA - Honda Center - October 9, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep The Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick As Thieves - acoustic
15. (You Want To) Make a Memory
16. Captain Crash And The Beauty Queen From Mars
17. We Weren't Born To Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine

Encore:
21. In These Arms
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Have A Nice Day
24. Livin' On A Prayer

Bon Jovi Fresno set list 8/10/13

Bon Jovi's concert in Fresno, California marked the return of Tico Torres to the stage after surgery on his appendix and gall bladder last month. It was also the day after his 60th birthday. "Amen" and "Working Man" both returned to the set, replacing "Make a Memory" and opening the encore respectively.

Were you at this show?

Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center - October 8, 2013

1. That's What The Water Made Me
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Born To Be My Baby
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot Of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep The Faith
12. Amen
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick As Thieves - acoustic
15. Fire - acoustic, Bruce Springsteen cover
16. Captain Crash And The Beauty Queen From Mars
17. We Weren't Born To Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine

Encore:
21. Work For The Working Man
22. Wanted Dead Or Alive
23. Have A Nice Day
24. Livin' On A Prayer

Bon Jovi Spokane set list 6/10/13

Bon Jovi's second Washington show in as many days. Were you at this concert?

Spokane, WA, USA - Spokane Arena - October 6, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. Keep the Faith
11. (You Want To) Make a Memory
12. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
13. Thick as Thieves - acoustic
14. Fire - acoustic, Bruce Springsteen cover
15. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
16. We Weren't Born to Follow
17. Who Says You Can't Go Home
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
19. Bad Medicine

encore:
20. Born to Be My Baby
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Tacoma set list 5/10/13

Last Man Standing opened Bon Jovi's show in Tacoma, while Thick as Thieves and Fire stayed in the set following their tour debuts at the previous show in Vancouver. Were you at this concert?

Tacoma, WA, USA - Tacoma Dome - October 5, 2013

1. Last Man Standing
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. That's What the Water Made Me
4. Born to Be My Baby
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick as Thieves - acoustic
15. Fire - acoustic/Bruce Springsteen cover
16. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine

encore:
21. Runaway
    
22. Wanted Dead or Alive


23. Have a Nice Day


24. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Vancouver set list 2/10/13 + Thick as Thieves and Fire videos

Some changes to the set in Bon Jovi's Vancouver show, including the live debut of "Thick as Thieves" and a cover of "Fire", the Springsteen song made famous by the Pointer Sisters. "It's My Life" was dedicated to six-year-old fan Kaden, who's been in and out of hospital since he was born premature. Violinist Lorenza Ponce joined the makeshift Bon Jovi on stage, having done a private gig with Jon and Bobby Bandiera the night before.

Were you at this concert?

Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rogers Arena - October 2, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night - acoustic
14. Thick as Thieves - acoustic
15. Fire - acoustic/Bruce Springsteen cover
16. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
17. We Weren't Born to Follow
18. Who Says You Can't Go Home
19. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
20. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
encore:
21. Wanted Dead or Alive
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer

Here are videos of Thick as Thieves and Fire.

Bon Jovi - Thick As Thieves 2 October 2013 - on the "circle" with JBJ, David Bryan, Bobby Bandiera and Lorenza Ponce. I'd be lying if I said I loved Thick as Thieves, but it was cool to get something different, especially after the monotony of the previous few sets.


Bon Jovi - Fire - Vancouver - Oct 2, 2013

Bon Jovi Mexico City set list 29/9/13

Were you at Bon Jovi's Mexico City show?

Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol - September 29, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
7. Born to Be My Baby
8. It's My Life
9. Because We Can
10. What About Now
11. We Got It Going On
12. Keep the Faith
13. (You Want To) Make a Memory
14. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
15. We Weren't Born to Follow
16. Who Says You Can't Go Home
17. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
    / Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones cover
18. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

encore:
19. In These Arms
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
22. Have a Nice Day
23. Livin' on a Prayer

Bon Jovi Bueno Aires set list 26/9/13

Bon Jovi's Because We Can tour headed to Argentina... Were you at this show?

Bueno Aires, Argentina - Velez Sarsfield - September 26, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
14. We Weren't Born to Follow
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
17. Bad Medicine

Encore:
18. In These Arms
19. Born to Be My Baby
20. Wanted Dead or Alive
21. Have a Nice Day
22. Livin' on a Prayer
23. I'll Be There For You

Bon Jovi Santiago set list 24/9/13

Looks like Bon Jovi is going to play it very safe during the South American leg, which I guess is not surprising given much of the tour has been that way and now only half the band is on stage...

Were you at this show?

Santiago, Chile - Estadio Monumental - September 24, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
13. We Weren't Born to Follow
14. Who Says You Can't Go Home
15. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
16. Bad Medicine

Encore:
17. In These Arms
18. Born to Be My Baby
19. Wanted Dead or Alive
20. Have a Nice Day
21. Livin' on a Prayer
22. Always

Bon Jovi Sao Paulo set list 22/9/13

Bon Jovi headed to Sao Paulo for their second show minus Tico Torres. If you experience deja vu while reading the set list, that's probably because it's exactly the same as the set for Rock in Rio, except that Always was replaced with Pretty Woman and Born to Be My Baby.

Were you at the show?

Sao Paulo, Brazil - Morumbi Stadium - September 22, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
14. We Weren't Born to Follow
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
17. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover

Encore:
18. Wanted Dead or Alive
19. Have a Nice Day
20. Livin' on a Prayer
21. Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison cover
22. Born to Be My Baby

Tico Torres back in hospital + Bon Jovi Rock in Rio set list 20/9/13

After an emergency appendectomy last week, Tico Torres was again rushed to hospital and will now undergo gall bladder surgery. This statement was issued on the Bon Jovi website:

Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres was rushed to the hospital for a second time with severe pain in his abdomen and will undergo gall bladder surgery. This follows an emergency appendectomy last week. He is expected to return to the stage and the Bon Jovi tour in the very near future.

“Tico Torres has been the heart and soul of our band since we started 30 years ago,” said Jon Bon Jovi. “He’s also one tough SOB and we look forward to him again pounding away brilliantly at the drums on remainder of this and future tours.”

Bon Jovi begins the current leg of their Because We Can tour at “Rock in Rio” in Rio De Janeiro on September 20th. New Jersey native Rich Scannella will fill in for Torres until his doctors clear him to play.

Message From Tico

Hello All,

I would like to say a quick Thank You to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts thus far. There is nothing that can prepare one for a medical emergency but I have been taken especially good care of and would again like to thank all my doctors and health care professionals.

I am very disappointed not to be able to perform but our friend Rich Scannella will stand in for me. You are in good hands.

I will be there in spirit and back on stage in soon

Enjoy the show. #RockinRio

-Tico Torres

Meanwhile, Bon Jovi's tour resumed at the Rock in Rio festival with Rich Scannella on drums and Phil X continuing in lieu of Richie Sambora, leaving only two official members of Bon Jovi on stage -- David Bryan and Jon (though anyone who knows me knows I think Hugh McDonald deserves to be a proper member by now). The set list was as follows:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Rock in Rio - September 20, 2013

1. That's What the Water Made Me
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Raise Your Hands
4. Runaway
5. Lost Highway
6. Whole Lot of Leavin'
7. It's My Life
8. Because We Can
9. What About Now
10. We Got It Going On
11. Keep the Faith
12. (You Want To) Make a Memory
13. Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
14. We Weren't Born to Follow
15. Who Says You Can't Go Home
16. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
    / Start Me Up - Rolling Stones cover
17. Bad Medicine
    / Shout! - Isley Brothers cover
Encore:
18. Wanted Dead or Alive
19. Have a Nice Day
20. Livin' on a Prayer
21. Always

I'm currently out of town and missed the live stream, but much of the feedback I've heard on Bon Jovi hasn't been great. Did you watch it, or were you at the show? What did you think?

Hugh McDonald reflects on his musical career

Bon Jovi bass player Hugh McDonald spoke to The Park Record about his career. It's not often you get to hear from Huey, but this was a nice read:

Hugh McDonald fully supported his stepson Jake Johnson's desire to sell some CDs to raise money for the Rockport fire victims last month.

McDonald hosted a party at his home in Hoytsville where Johnson's band played and sold some CDs, raising more than $1,000. (See story entitled "Hoytsville resident Jake Johnson's world is music").

McDonald understands the need to do good things with music because he is a professional bass player who has appeared on records by Willie Nelson, Cher, Gladys Knight & the Pips, John Prine and Steve Goodman.

The bassist, whose ongoing gig is with multi-platinum-selling rock band Bon Jovi, said he was inspired to play music because of the Beatles.

"I saw them on the 'Ed Sullivan Show' because I'm that old," McDonald said with a grin during an interview in his home office in Hoytsville. "I saw them and that did it, and for me, Paul McCartney is 100 percent the reason why I play bass to this day."

Growing up in Philadelphia also helped feed McDonald's love of music.

"I don't even know if you can call music a hobby for me then, because our neighborhood kids just did it," he said. "We put bands together or played music, and everything grew from that."

McDonald would drive to New York for recording sessions and was referred from one job to the next.

Read the full article here.

Richie Sambora: Engine 19 (9/11 tribute)

On the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Richie Sambora released "Engine 19", a song he wrote with Bernie Taupin (best known for his collaborations with Elton John).

Listen to Richie Sambora - Engine 19


I've transcribed the lyrics as I heard them... Corrections welcome.

We come from the islands and boroughs
We grew up on these streets round here
Me and my brothers Pat and Danny
Been putting out fires for years

Our old man and his father before him
Rode out when the siren screamed
Now we work out of the same place together
That's Engine 19

Yeah, we're boys from New York doing our job
There's times we get hurt, there's those that we've lost
In the fire and the smoke from the roof caving in
When there's one less comes out from Engine 19

I'll admit when the summers get brutal
I see twisted steel in my dreams
And I hear the crack of old timber
and I know there's a hell that I've seen
But we go round the corner on Friday
To this little old neighbourhood bar
Drink us some beers and shoot pool
Turn in a game or play cards

We're the boys from New York doing our job
There's times we get hurt, there's those that we've lost
In the fire and the smoke from a roof caving in
When there's one less comes out from Engine 19

The boys from New York get on back up
And out of the shields in the ashes and dust
Every inch of that ladder, every man on this team
They all ride out together with Engine 19

Singing la dada dada, Engine 19

We're the boys from New York, Engine 19

Feels good to be a part of something, the chain of command
A brotherhood bound like a family, the strength of a wedding band
Every inch of that ladder, every man on this team
They all ride out together

Our old man and his father before him
Rode out when the siren screamed

We are boys from New York doing our Job
There's times we get hurt, there's those that we've lost
In the fire and the smoke from a roof caving in
When there's one less comes out from Engine 19

But boys from New York get on back up
And out of the shields in the ashes and dust
Every inch of that ladder, every man on this team
They all ride out together with Engine 19

Singing la dada dada, Engine 19
Singing la dada dada, Engine 19

We're boys from New York, Engine 19
We're the boys from New York

The storytelling is something wouldn't feel out of place with Elton John sitting at a piano -- not surprising, given the contribution of Elton's lyricist -- but my first thought upon hearing "Engine 19" was that it reminded me of Bruce Springsteen, particularly "Racing in the Street", despite the different subject matter.

Do you like the song? Is this the type of solo stuff you'd like from Richie in the future?

Bon Jovi reschedules concerts after Tico Torres surgery

Maybe Bon Jovi should have renamed this tour the Murphy's Law Tour...

The Because We Can Tour was scheduled to resume in Mexico City on September 10, but the band was forced to cancel when Tico Torres had an emergency appendectomy. New dates for this concert, as well as scheduled shows in Santiago, Chile and Bueno Aires, Argentina have been announced on BonJovi.com.

Jon Bon Jovi issued the following statement on the website:

Greetings from Mexico City.

Last night Tico Torres underwent an emergency appendectomy. Thankfully, the operation was a success and Tico is now recovering in the care of his doctors at the American British Cowdray Hospital. We’d like to thank the doctors, nurses and all the hospital staff who helped our friend through this difficult time.

We’ll remain here with Tico in Mexico City and will see him through his release. David and I spent the day with him at the hospital and Tico sends his thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. He wants everyone to know that it was his desire to perform. He even promised the doctors he would come back for the surgery right after the show but the doctors prevailed.

We know many of you make great efforts and travel from around the world to see us on tour. It remains our desire to give you the best that we have every night. We are sorry for any inconvenience this sudden change of plans may have caused. We’ll re-schedule any dates that we can and will continue the tour through December. Check BonJovi.com for tour updates.

On behalf of the band, I’d like to thank all of you who support us throughout these challenges.

See you soon. - JBJ

Phil X sent his best wishes when the concert was first postponed:

so bummed about tonight's show being cancelled & sending super healing vibes to Tico.

— Phil X (@TheRealPhilX) September 11, 2013

And it's been nearly impossible to get Richie Sambora to acknowledge Bon Jovi over the past five months, but he did send out a couple of tweets for Tico, too:

All my love, prayers and heart goes out to my brother Tico. He is an amazing man, a true warrior, great artist and underestimated musician.

— Richie Sambora (@TheRealSambora) September 11, 2013

God bless you bro....no matter what I'm with you inside your heart. Forever man...

— Richie Sambora (@TheRealSambora) September 11, 2013

The real story according to MusicBizAdvice + Richie Sambora denials

Since Richie Sambora abruptly left the Bon Jovi tour five months ago, we've had no official statement on the actual reasons why or whether or not he's still in the band. Blogging about the following articles might just be a long-winded way of saying we actually still don't know anything. But this article, 30 Years Gone? The Real Story of Richie Sambora’s Current Status in Bon Jovi by Randi Reed on MusicBizAdvice.com, which reignites the substance abuse rumours, has gained a lot of traction in the past 24 to 48 hours:

Again, it’s not my policy to speak publicly about artists. But the tabloid media are spreading tales that my colleagues and I know are lies, and it’s getting uglier, so here’s the truth:

1. Richie has NOT been fired. As one of my colleagues said, “Jon’s not going to kick a man when he’s down.” Additionally, Bon Jovi band policy is, as an original member of the band, Richie retains the title of “Bon Jovi Guitarist.” Whether or not Richie is actively using his title depends on him.

2. Richie is in control of his own destiny in the band, and there are conditions and parameters for his return if he wants to come back. He can’t just walk in and be welcomed back with open arms as if nothing has happened. Jon and the band love Richie and want him to be well, and his health is the most important thing to everyone. They want to welcome him back, as long as he’s healthy.

3. If you have a job, no matter what your title is, from Walmart Associate, to CEO of a Fortune 500 company, to Wall Street magnate, if there are multiple instances when you don’t show up for work and no one can reach you, there are repercussions. If you’re an athlete on a sports team and are a no-show without talking to the coach or the team, you’re suspended. If you’re in the army and you don’t show up, you go jail. And for all those jobs, when you show up, you must be physically able and ready to perform your job.

Being a rock star is no different. If you don’t show up or are physically unable to perform when you do show up, there are repercussions.

People count on you to be there: the audience who paid to see you (and maybe even traveled to do so). The fans who support you. Your crew members who take care of you and help you sound great and look pretty. Your Brothers onstage. Your singing partner. The talent buyer, record label, and partners in your 360 deal. Your corporate sponsors, and the TV and radio networks who invest millions of dollars to present your talent. The venue staff. All those people count on you to show up and do your job with the same excellence you ask of them.

4. It kills me to say this…but I happen to know there are multiple times when Richie didn’t show up for work, or was unfortunately physically unable to perform.

There are multiple, documented times when Richie was physically unable to perform at the band’s important events– including live concert broadcasts attended by press and music industry people who are important to the band’s career. The “Unplugged” show in Brooklyn is just one example of an event when Richie was unreliable.

5. This is not about slagging Richie. It’s about concern for Richie’s health.

6. Everyone wants Richie to be healthy, happy, and well. They all love Richie and are united in this. There’s no “Team Jon” and “Team Richie.” It’s The Brotherhood.

7. The major news organizations who copied and pasted or cited the “Rumorfix” article as a source never called the Bon Jovi organization for comment. They did this to stretch out headlines and get more ratings and page views out of it. When people learn the truth, there’s no more story.

8. Someone who has a lot to gain–I won’t mention names–is orchestrating a full-on media takedown of Jon Bon Jovi, and they’re taking advantage of the fact that Jon, as Richie Sambora’s employer, is legally prevented from saying anything about Richie’s absence from the band. Even worse, the people orchestrating the attack are using unsuspecting, well-meaning Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora fans to do it.

That’s why I’m writing this: my colleagues and friends are hurting, and we all hate what these people are doing.

9. It’s painful for Jon’s friends and colleagues to watch Jon take the fall for his Brother Richie’s actions and take the high road while people make up tabloid lies about Jon. (Would you be strong enough to do that for a friend?)

Everyone I’ve ever known in the industry who has worked with Jon Bon Jovi says he’s a good guy who inspires decades-long loyalty. I’ve never heard anyone who’s worked with him say anything bad about him (and believe me, they say plenty about other people).

10. Everyone I’ve ever dealt with in the Bon Jovi organization has been a pleasure to work with. In any organization, the CEO sets the tone, and it comes from the top down. Bon Jovi’s teamwork, loyalty, and “can do” spirit start with Jon Bon Jovi.

Read the full article here.

Meanwhile, Richie has been quoted in RumorFix in an apparent response to the MusicBizAdvice.com article and a RadarOnline article from the same day:

The guitarist is disputing a gossip website’s report that Jon Bon Jovi demanded Richie undergo “rehab on the road” before he could be allowed to join the “Because We Can” world tour.

Richie tells RumorFix exclusively, “This is not true. This is the biggest bunch of BS.”

As RumorFix first reported Richie is not returning to the tour and he was fired by Jon over money issues.

Richie tells us, “No intervention ever took place. I truly wanted to come back to Bon Jovi for the fans.”

Well, who freaking knows. I gave up trying to figure this out a long time ago. Everyone seems to have their own agenda, even if it's as simple as blindly believing anything that makes it seem like their idol's shit don't stink (I'm referring to both "Team Richie" and "Team Jon" here).