Hey, man, I'm alive...

I haven't blogged here in quite some time. Aside from the busyness of life getting in the way -- which I'm extremely grateful for because not everyone has been lucky enough to keep working throughout the pandemic -- there just hasn't been a huge amount for me to talk about when it comes to Bon Jovi. I mean, individual members have their own projects, but the band obviously hasn't been able to get together and tour.

But 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of Bon Jovi's breakthrough album Slippery When Wet -- a record that I think deserves a lot more celebration than it's currently able to get. To honour the milestone, Bon Jovi digitally remastered the "Wild in the Streets" video and uploaded it to YouTube for the first time.

Cool, but... I would love something more. And no, cheap-looking merch does not count as "something more". 😜

In Perth, where I live, a local band -- also called Slippery When Wet -- paid tribute to the anniversary by playing the album in its entirety at a recent gig. I shot a video of "Never Say Goodbye" on my phone:

It was beautiful and actually kind of emotional getting to see Slippery performed in its entirety, albeit not by the real Bon Jovi in their prime.

Will Bon Jovi (current lineup or otherwise) tour again? It's hard to say anything with any certainty these days. 

In the absence of touring, it looks like Jon's going to keep doing the Hampton Water Makes a Splash online gigs -- the "second annual" charity concert, in support of The Roots Fund, took place back in July. I neglected to write about it at the time, but if you're yet to watch it and have about an hour to spare, here it is:

Set list:

1. Help! [The Beatles cover]
2. You Give Love a Bad Name / Hit the Road Jack [Percy Mayfield/Ray Charles cover]
3. Do What You Can
4. American Reckoning
5. Watermelon Sugar [Harry Styles cover]
6. Livin' on a Prayer
7. It's My Life
8. Fast Car [Tracy Chapman cover]
9. Story of Love
10. Lost Highway
11. Who Says You Can't Go Home
    

I feel like this sort of thing suits Jon more these days but man, I'd still really love a Bon Jovi show. 🥺

But I'll end this "hi, I'm still here" post on something different... Phil X plays guitar on Kurt Deimer's version of "Have a Cigar" (originally by Pink Floyd), which was released in August. Phil is also in the music video:

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Feel free to share your thoughts below. 😊

Want to stay connected? You can find us on Facebook @blameitonthelove, Instagram @blameitonthelove and Twitter @bonjoviblog.

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.

Tiger Jam 2012 - JBJ & Friends set list

Jon Bon Jovi and Friends headlined Tiger Jam overnight to benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation which aims to provide educational opportunities for young people.

Here's the setlist... If anyone could confirm/correct or add any more information (e.g. who was in the band), that would be awesome.

Tiger Jam 2012 - Mandalay Bay Events Center - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - April 28, 2012

1. So You Wanna Be a Rock and Roll Star [The Byrds cover]
2. You Give Love A Bad Name
3. Ain't Nothin' But a House Party [The J. Geils Band cover]
4. Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
5. Lost Highway
6. Chain of Fools [Aretha Franklin cover] - Layonne Holmes vox
7. I'm Your Man [Leonard Cohen cover]
8. Bad Medicine
9. Old Time Rock and Roll [Bob Seger cover]
10. We Weren't Born To Follow
11. Just Older
12. Livin' on a Prayer - acoustic
13. Wanted Dead or Alive
14. Under Pressure [Queen/David Bowie cover]
15. Sympathy For The Devil [Rolling Stones cover]
16. Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover]
17. Baba O'Riley [The Who cover] - Bobby Bandiera vox
18. I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
19. Good Times [Chic song]
20. The Letter [The Box Tops song]
21. Who Says You Can't Go Home
Encore
22. Hallelujah [Leonard Cohen cover]
23. 634-5789 [Wilson Pickett cover]

JBJ headlining Tiger Jam

JBJ and Friends are headlining Tiger Jam this year... press release below:

On Saturday, April 28, internationally acclaimed rock 'n' roll front man Jon Bon Jovi will take the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas to headline Tiger Jam 2012, a charity concert hosted by Tiger Woods, benefiting the Tiger Woods Foundation.

Continuing Tiger Jam's tradition of unforgettable concerts, Jon Bon Jovi and friends will provide fans with a spectacular performance while helping to raise money for the college-access programs of the Foundation.

Singer and songwriter David Cook, who rose to fame after winning the seventh season of American Idol, will open for Jon Bon Jovi on the Tiger Jam stage.

"It's truly an honor to have Jon headline Tiger Jam," event host Tiger Woods said. "Over the years, he's never hesitated to lend his time and talents to my Foundation, and I'm so grateful for that."

Jon and Tiger have a long philanthropic history that dates back to 2003 when Bon Jovi first performed at Tiger Jam. Bon Jovi then played Tiger Jam again in 2007 and this year, Jon Bon Jovi and friends will perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the first time. Jon has also been very supportive of the AT&T National while it was held in Philadelphia. The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was a tournament beneficiary in 2010 and 2011.

In true Las Vegas style, Tiger Jam 2012 will include a VIP reception at House of Blues, featuring gourmet fare and spirits and exclusive live and silent auctions filled with one-of-a-kind luxury items. Following the dinner and auctions, the celebration will progress to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage, where Woods will introduce Jon Bon Jovi and friends as they take the stage to deliver a rocking performance to Tiger Jammers.

Concert tickets starting at $70, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Saturday, March 3, at 10 a.m. PT, and will be available at all Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Mandalay Bay at (877) 632-7400 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at MandalayBay.com or Ticketmaster.com. For more information on 2012 Tiger Jam Sponsorship opportunities or to attend the dinner and auction, please call (949) 725-3003.

About Tiger Jam and the Tiger Woods Foundation: Since its creation in 1998, Tiger Jam has raised more than $13 million for programs of the Tiger Woods Foundation through its sold-out performances and one-of-a-kind auction items. At the Tiger Woods Foundation, we believe every child deserves a shot at college. Designed to break through a culture of low expectations, our college-access programs reach underserved youth in all stages of academic life. For scholars in grades 5-12, the Tiger Woods Learning Centers provide hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering and math coupled with college preparation workshops to create a unique environment focused on college and careers. The Earl Woods Scholarship Program is an unparalleled network providing admissions counseling, college scholarships, dedicated mentors, specialized internships and vital workshops. Receiving individualized support, our bright young scholars are succeeding at prestigious universities such as Georgetown, USC, UC Berkeley, UCLA and Harvard.

About Jon Bon Jovi: Jon Bon Jovi is the Chairman of The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which establishes programs and partnerships that aim to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness "one Soul at a time." To date, Jon Bon Jovi and the Soul Foundation have provided affordable housing for hundreds of low-income individuals and families. In December 2010, President Obama appointed Jon Bon Jovi to the White House Council for Community Solutions. The Council's focus on at-risk youth is an issue with critical near-term and long-term consequences for our nation's health and economic strength.

Musically, Jon Bon Jovi has set the bar for nearly three decades as one of the world's most successful musicians. Globally, Jon's Grammy winning band Bon Jovi have sold over 130 million albums, consistently delivered #1 albums and Top Ten hits and performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for upwards of 34 million fans.

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

JBJ and Friends benefit concert

JBJ and Friends are playing a fundraiser in October.

Join us for Jon Bon Jovi & Friends in concert
to launch Poly Prep's new initiative
for Learning Support & Enrichment.

Date: Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Time: Pre-Concert VIP Reception & Dinner
General Admission: 6:30 PM

Location: Best Buy Theater, 1515 Broadway, NYC

More details at this link.

JBJ & Friends Sayreville videos

A listing of videos from the Jon Bon Jovi and Friends gig at Starland Ballroom on January 27, 2011. Normally I would just showcase "rare" performances, but the whole show was pretty rare so I'll list instead of embedding.

• Help!
• So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star
• CC Rider
• I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) (Ricky Collins vox)
• Oh, Pretty Woman
• Lonely
• (Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party
• Hold On, I'm Comin' (duet with Southside Johnny)
• Start Me Up (duet with Layonne Holmes)
• O-o-h Child (Ray Anderson vox)
• Midnight Confessions (Bobby Bandiera vox)
• Wanted Dead or Alive
• We Weren't Born to Follow
• You Give Love a Bad Name
• Who Says You Can't Go Home (duet with Lisa Bouchelle)
• Livin' on a Prayer (acoustic)
• Treat Her Right (duet with Southside Johnny)
• 634-5789 (group performance)

The full setlist is here. Hope I got the details right... Someone comment and correct me if I messed anything up. The "Friends" at this show included Southside Johnny, Bob Bandiera, Bob Burger, Ricky Collins, Ray Anderson, Layonne Holmes, Lisa Bouchelle, Maureen McCrink.

JBJ & Friends Sayreville set list

This is an unconfirmed set list from last night's Jon Bon Jovi and Friends benefit gig. Mostly old rock 'n' roll covers for fans of classics, but a few Bon Jovi songs were thrown in, including Lost Highway bonus track "Lonely". There are a few details missing. Did anyone attend this show?

EDIT: Set list and details amended.

Sayreville, New Jersey, USA - Starland Ballroom - January 27, 2011
Help! [The Beatles cover]
So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star [The Byrds cover]
CC Rider [Ma Rainey cover]
Glad All Over [Dave Clark Five cover / ft Bob Burger]
I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) [Four Tops cover / Ricky Collins on lead vocals]
Oh, Pretty Woman [Roy Orbison cover]
Blue Bayou [Roy Orbison cover / Maureen McCrink on lead vocals]
Lonely
(Ain't Nothin' But a) House Party [The J. Geils Band cover / ft Southside Johnny]
Hold On, I'm Comin' [Sam and Dave cover / ft Southside Johnny]
Start Me Up [Rolling Stones cover / ft Layonne Holmes]
She's Not There [The Zombies cover / Bob Burger on lead vocals]
O-o-h Child [Five Stairsteps cover / Ray Anderson on lead vocals]
Somebody to Love [Jefferson Airplane cover / Layonne Holmes on lead vocals]
Build Me Up Buttercup [The Foundations cover / Lisa Bouchelle on lead vocals]
Midnight Confessions [The Grass Roots cover / Bobby Bandiera on lead vocals]
Wanted Dead or Alive
We Weren't Born to Follow
You Give Love a Bad Name
Who Says You Can't Go Home [ft Lisa Bouchelle]

ENCORE:
Livin' on a Prayer [acoustic]
Treat Her Right [Roy Head and the Traits cover / ft Southside Johnny]
634-5789 [Wilson Pickett cover]