Jon Bon Jovi performs Blind Love & Fingerprints; talks about 2016 album

At the last fan club show of 2015 -- in Dallas, Texas -- Jon Bon Jovi debuted Blind Love and Fingerprints from Burning Bridges. Check out the videos.

Blind Love


Fingerprints


And since I'm already here, here are a few other videos from the gig, courtesy of Serpephone.

Destination Anywhere - The album of the same name is probably my favourite solo project of anyone from Bon Jovi.


Never Say Goodbye - Jon started this twice after a funny mixup with the lyrics.


With These Two Hands - A bonus track from What About Now that's arguably better than half the actual album.


You Give Love a Bad Name - This is similar to the version Bon Jovi did for the This Left Feels Right DVD and on MTV Unplugged, which is not to everyone's liking, but it's something a little different.


Jon also said the new album, This House Is Not for Sale, will be out in the first half of 2016. Here's part of the Q&A from this show.

Matt O'Ree joins Bon Jovi; China cancels shows

It's been an interesting few days in Jovi Land. Oddly enough it's happening while I'm out of town so I'm blogging about it on my mobile phone.

First, multiple reports emerged that the Chinese Government had cancelled Bon Jovi's planned concerts in China and Macau. The reason appears to be related to Bon Jovi's use of footage from the Tiananmen Square Massacre in the music video for We Weren't Born to Follow, as well as a picture of the Dalai Lama that appeared on the big screens during The Circle tour. Bon Jovi isn't the only foreign artist who's been cancelled in China, and I just feel sorry for music fans there, as well as people who'd made travel plans. Bon Jovi is now playing a show in Bangkok instead.

Then it was revealed that New Jersey musician Matt O'Ree is joining Bon Jovi on tour. He is replacing Bobby Bandiera as the touring rhythm guitarist, while Phil X will continue as lead guitarist (live at least; John Shanks played on Burning Bridges). Despite sometimes raising the wrath of fans, Bobby's been playing with Bon Jovi for a decade, and with Jon for almost two decades, so I'm not sure whether this change is permanent or not.

What do you think about this development?

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

Jon Bon Jovi on Letterman

JBJ was a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman on December 20, 2012 to promote the Stand Up Guys soundtrack.

Check out his interview:


And his beautiful performance of the Golden Globe-nominated Not Running Anymore:

Because We Can out Jan 7; What About Now buzz

Because We Can, the lead single from Bon Jovi's upcoming album What About Now will be released on iTunes on January 7, 2013. The song was co-written by Billy Falcon.

Jon was on VH1's Big Morning Buzz Live a couple of days after the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy Relief to talk about Hurricane Sandy and the benefit gig, as well as the new album. In terms of the content (Anthemic but socially conscious) it's all interview soundbites we've heard before. But the band seems to be experimenting with augmented reality on the album cover and I can't wait to see how it turns out!

After the interview, Jon also performed Not Running Anymore with Bobby Bandiera and Lorenza Ponce.

You can download the Bon Jovi smartphone app (for iOS and Android) from Mobile Roadie.

JBJ Soul Foundation - Hurricane Sandy Relief videos

Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has released seven videos interspersing a live JBJ performance from November 9, 2012 with images of the Hurricane Sandy disaster to encourage donations in support of relief efforts.

Here are two brand new songs Jon wrote for the Stand Up Guys soundtrack (He performed them at a fan club gig in August but they have not been officially released yet).

Old Habits Die Hard


Not Running Anymore


You can watch and share the other videos at the JBJ Soul Foundation website.

Jon Bon Jovi - Skavlan interview + Hurricane Sandy benefit

While in London recently, Jon Bon Jovi guested on Norwegian talk show Skavlan and talked about Hurricane Sandy, the political climate in America and his career trajectory. He also shared a bit of a bromance with Robbie Williams who was one of the other guests.


Jon cut short his planned European promotional tour in the wake of the devastation caused by the superstorm.

Backed by Lorenza Ponce and Bobby Bandiera, he performed a beautiful acoustic rendition of Who Says You Can't Go Home and Livin' on a Prayer for the Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together appeal on November 2.

Jon Bon Jovi debuts new songs in Napa Valley

Jon Bon Jovi (backed by Bobby Bandiera and Lorenza Ponce) performed an acoustic fan club gig at the Castello di Amorosa in California's Napa Valley on August 28, 2012. He talked about writing songs for the upcoming Bon Jovi album as well as the soundtrack of a movie called Stand Up Guys (starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin) and played some of these new songs. Here are videos of The Fighter, Running, and Old Habits:

The Fighter - from the new Bon Jovi album


Not Running Anymore - from the Stand Up Guys soundtrack


Old Habits Die Hard - from the Stand Up Guys soundtrack (I wasn't expecting that opening line, haha)


So... What do you think of the songs?

I also haven't been able to find a set list for this show but from what I've managed to quickly piece together from different sources online, it was reportedly something like this:

• Superman Tonight
• (You Want To) Make a Memory
• Born to Be My Baby
• Running
• Old Habits
• The Fighter
• Livin' on a Prayer
• Santa Fe
• Hallelujah

Can anyone confirm what was played?

Here's Santa Fe for good measure:

JBJ & Friends Tiger Jam videos

Jon Bon Jovi and Friends headlined Tiger Jam 2012 on April 28 (check out the set list and some comments here) and I promised some videos so here we go. If it was a normal Bon Jovi show I'd just pick some standout performances or rarities but given it wasn't, I'll just link to videos of all the songs.

• So You Wanna Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star + You Give Love a Bad Name -- with an introduction from Tiger Woods and Jon on guitar.
• Ain't Nothin' But a House Party
• Oh, Pretty Woman
• Lost Highway -- Jon pays tribute to Tiger's philanthropic side, talks about working on a new album, then flubs the words to his own song at about 3:05. ;)
• Chain of Fools -- Layonne Holmes on lead vocals.
• I'm Your Man -- Jon is kind of playing up to his sex appeal with the Adam and Eve speech at the beginning but I really enjoyed this, probably more than the Leonard Cohen version. *hides* :P
• Bad Medicine
• Old Time Rock and Roll -- sharing vocals with Layonne, Bobby Bandiera, and I think Jeff Kazee?
• We Weren't Born To Follow + Just Older
• Livin' on a Prayer
• Wanted Dead or Alive
• Under Pressure
• Sympathy For The Devil
• Start Me Up
• Baba O'Riley -- Bobby Bandiera on lead vocals with an epic violin solo from Lorenza Ponce to finish.
• I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
• The Letter
• Who Says You Can't Go Home
• Hallelujah
• 634-5789

So... what did you think of the show? How do you feel the band songs turned out?

In one definite plus, Jon is sounding pretty good.

JBJ Hope Concert videos

Let's celebrate Christmas Eve with some videos of Jon Bon Jovi & Friends at Hope Concert V, which took place on December 19. Earlier that day, Jon had been the victim of an internet death hoax which he joked about throughout the night.

The Letter - originally by The Box Tops, also covered by Joe Cocker


(Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party - originally by The Showstoppers, also covered by J. Geils Band


Blue Christmas - popularized by Elvis Presley

"He ain't dead, he just smells that way!" - Southside Johnny

Run, Run Rudolph - popularized by Chuck Berry


Jon mimes fielding calls about his "death":


Bobby Bandiera gets a kiss from Jon as he tries to get all the musicians back on stage:


Set list was reportedly as follows (corrections welcome):

JBJ & Friends - Hope Concert V - Count Basie Theatre - Red Bank, New Jersey, USA - December 19, 2011

1. The Letter [The Box Tops cover] - ft Southside Johnny
2. (Ain't Nothin' But A) House Party [J. Geils Band cover] - ft Southside Johnny
3. Wanted Dead or Alive
4. Who Says You Can't Go Home
5. We Weren't Born To Follow
6. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - ft Southside Johnny
7. Blue Christmas - ft Southside Johnny, Gary "U.S." Bonds, Nicole Atkins
8. Run, Run Rudolph - ft Southside Johnny, Gary "U.S." Bonds, Nicole Atkins

Bobby Bandiera at benefit concert

Bobby's playing a charity gig tonight.

Eight-year Bon Jovi guitar player Bobby Bandiera will take the stage at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday at 4 p.m. for a benefit for Alternatives for Children, a pre-school for developmentally delayed children.

Bandiera’s grandson, Mateo, of East Quogue, is a student at the school’s Southampton location and has a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD-NOS).

Bandiera's son also has autism.

“I am fortunate enough to have a very talented musician for a father,” said Bandiera's daughter, Carli Bandiera Rodriguez, who added she didn’t have to do much except make a phone call to get her dad, who lives in New Jersey, to do the concert.

Read the full article here.

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...

Bon Jovi to play 70 songs at the O2; Richie & Bobby visit Marshall

Bon Jovi plans to play 70 unique songs during its O2 residency...

Singer Jon Bon Jovi said that he had been inspired by bakers to continually change the band's set list.

"Would you buy yesterday's bread from a baker? These set lists are all made fresh,” he said. “Delivered every night at 7:30...the delivery men wait outside my door, patiently for its arrival.”

Not sure if that was meant to be funny but it was... in a good way though. And it's on the record now, Jon!

Also check out The Goddess Hathor's blog for an analysis of the song count.

In other news, Richie Sambora and Bobby Bandiera visited Marshall Amplification a couple of days ago (June 21).

Legendary Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora took a day out of his busy schedule while on tour in the UK and flew into Bletchley via private helicopter to pay us a visit!

Accompanied by second guitarist currently on tour with Bon Jovi, Bobby Bandiera, they enjoyed a tour of the factory and got the opportunity to try out a number of different amps right here in our on-site theatre. Richie purchased two 100 Watt 1959HW heads and two 1960 handwired cabinets. We also showed him a couple of prototypes of future units that he loved so much he wanted to buy there and then! Unfortunately being prototypes we were unable to sell them, but have allowed him to borrow them for the rest of the tour.

Check out the photos at this link.

Bad Case of Loving You + Can't Help Falling in Love in Sacramento

Here are some videos from the March 2 Sacramento show for your viewing/listening pleasure. You can read the full set here.

BAD CASE OF LOVING YOU - Jon sings this as a duet with Bob Bandiera, with a little backing from Richie, as part of "Bad Medicine". It's pretty cool.


CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE - Jon and Richie croon a snippet of probably my favourite Elvis song before "I'll Be There For You".

JBJ & Friends at Starland (more videos)

More videos from the Jon Bon Jovi & Friends February 23 fan club show at Starland Ballroom.

Click here for other videos from the gig and here for a corrected set list.

BROKE DOWN PIECE OF MAN (Southside Johnny cover)


LONELY


BANG A DRUM


NEVER SAY DIE


BILLY GET YOUR GUNS


Cheers to Deb308 for the videos.

I have no idea if Jon's ever read anything I've written anywhere on the web, but if by chance he's come across a healthy sample of it, he might have realised that I'm not always particularly complimentary of my favourite band's front man. For the fan club gig, I thought he might throw out a few crumbs to appease some of the rumblings that emerged after the ticket prices and sales arrangements were announced. And by crumbs, I was thinking one of two solo tracks at best. I sure as hell did not expect a set like this. Thanks Jon. You've brought a smile to many a Joviac and it's very much appreciated.

Merry Christmas

Not everyone celebrates Christmas (myself included) but rather than a holiday of commercial and materialistic indulgences, it can be a time of reflection and generosity nonetheless. On this Christmas Eve, I'll leave you with these clips from the Hope Concert in New Jersey that Jon Bon Jovi appeared at a couple of nights ago.

BLUE CHRISTMAS


TENTH AVENUE FREEZE-OUT - In this duet between two of Jersey's favourite sons, Jon takes lead vocals on Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run classic


Plenty more where that came from. Jon did another duet with Bruce, a duet with Southside Johnny, plus "Lost Highway" and "Who Says You Can't Go Home". Click here for a complete wrap-up (centred on Bruce Springsteen but covers the rest of the show too) and here for a YouTube guide to the concert.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! :)

Richie Sambora also gave MusicRadar an exclusive interview two days ago which you can listen to here. It seems Jon has thwarted Richie's solo album plans once more and the band will be heading into the studio in January to work on their new album.

PS - The last three Magic Memories from the Lost Highway tour will be up by early next year.

LH Magic Memory #21: Stuttgart

After an extended wait, the 21st of 25 Magic Memories from the Lost Highway tour takes us to Stuttgart, Germany. The date is May 29, 2008; the location is Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion (now Mercedes-Benz Arena). Some real surprises popped up in Stuttgart, but I'll let the videos do most of the talking.

ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD - Bon Jovi performed the John Fogerty/Status Quo classic in full for the first time on the Lost Highway tour. Features a Dave Bryan keyboard solo and some great crowd singing.


THE LAST NIGHT - One of the rarer Lost Highway tracks this tour. If you like looking at Jon, you will love this video. ;)


BOUNCE - Not a personal favourite of mine, although the "Me I just don't give a f-f-f-f..." part always cracks me up. But since it's so rare, and was captured on video, I had to share it. And Jon's voice is much better here than it was during the Bounce tour.


DRIFT AWAY - A song made famous by Dobie Gray. This Bon Jovi cover version featured the much-maligned Bobby Bandiera on lead vocals. I think someone held up a sign for this song and they decided to give it a go but Jon couldn't remember the verses. Bobby, who has toured with Bon Jovi as an additional guitarist for the past few years, is often attacked by fans of the band who don't see why he should be there or why he should perform the solo on "In These Arms". I have no window into Jon's head so I can't answer that. But I can tell you Bobby has a beautiful voice and sung the hell out of "Drift Away" in Stuttgart.


WILD IS THE WIND - Played for the first time on the European leg. Great guitar work from Richie Sambora.


ANY OTHER DAY - Another quite rare Lost Highway track and a bit of a fan favourite. Includes an extended jam and band introductions.


Stuttgart, Germany - Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion (29/5/08)
LOST HIGHWAY
BORN TO BE MY BABY
YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME
RUNAWAY
ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD
I'LL SLEEP WHEN I'M DEAD w/ Mercy + Start Me Up
THE LAST NIGHT
WHOLE LOT OF LEAVIN'
IN THESE ARMS
(YOU WANT TO) MAKE A MEMORY
CAPTAIN CRASH & THE BEAUTY QUEEN FROM MARS
WE GOT IT GOING ON
IT'S MY LIFE
KEEP THE FAITH
I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU (Richie on lead vocals)
BOUNCE
HAVE A NICE DAY
WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T GO HOME
BAD MEDICINE w/ Shout
DRIFT AWAY (Bobby on lead vocals)
LIVIN' ON A PRAYER

Encore:
LIVING IN SIN w/ Chapel of Love
WILD IS THE WIND
WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE
ANY OTHER DAY