Bon Jovi's MTV Unplugged Disaster

 

 

 

 

Richie Sambora's mic had to be turned off during a recording of MTV Unplugged because he was too out-of-it to play in tune.

 

According to insiders, the show, filmed in front of around 400 fans and designed to relaunch the Unplugged series, was a disaster from beginning to end thanks to the Bon Jovi guitarist's inability to actually play his guitar.

 

They had a whole bunch of musicians on stage for most of the night to cover his mistakes on the guitar and would turn his mic off so he couldn't be off key.

 

Despite this, some songs had to be recorded several times before Sambora got it right.

 

"As Wanted Dead or Alive started, Richie couldn't play along! During the song Jon stops and makes Richie start again and after the second take was finished the show was supposed to be over but Jon had the whole band come on stage to re-record the song a third time so Richie couldn't mess it up!

 

"Jon was clearly upset, but kept it together and handled it like a true pro!"

 

We can't help thinking that it would have sounded even better if they'd just gone the whole hog and turned off ALL of the microphones.

Edited June 17, 200718 yr by Wen

BON JOVI TAPS, NURTURES SHORE TALENT 06/17/07

Jon Bon Jovi frequently shows interest in local musicians, both the veterans he looked up to when he was starting out as well as the up-and-coming ones currently on the scene.

 

He and his bandmates recorded this year with Lance Larson, a stalwart on the Asbury Park scene and the man who revived the Wonder Bar. Jon Bon Jovi sings the second verse on "Angels With Broken Wings," a track on Larson's "Song for the Soldier" album, due for release in August.

 

"Jon has always been supportive of me," said Larson, noting that Bon Jovi & the Wild Ones used to open for Lord Gunner, Larson's band. "Finally, I come back after all these years, and so Jon said, "Just let me know, anything I can do to help, I'll do it.' "

 

Bon Jovi's interest in Bobby Bandiera no doubt stemmed from his enthusiasm for Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes, for which Bandiera is a guitarist.

 

"Jon always admired Southside," Bobby Bandiera said. "He used to come and see Southside all the time. Southside was one of Jon's biggest influences. In fact, he had a band, the Atlantic City Expressway, which had horns. They did all Jukes songs way back when."

 

Singer/songwriter Lisa Bouchelle also has witnessed Bon Jovi's respect for the Jukes.

 

"I've seen him watching Southside Johnny, going "It's Johnny time!' and he's a fan, he's a real person," Bouchelle said.

 

Bouchelle, 24, met Bon Jovi at an event for the Philly Soul at the Borgata in Atlantic City, and he took an interest in her music, eventually inviting her to mix her album at his home studio in Middletown.

 

"It was memorable," she said. "It's really homey in there, just a really cool experience."

 

Bouchelle said she considers Bon Jovi a role model and an inspiration. She admires him for his work ethic, his business acumen, his aesthetic sense and his commitment to both his family and career.

 

"If I move on and have a family, I want to keep them grounded, and I respect the way that Jon has been able to have a family life that's not impeded by his work," she said. "He pays attention to so much detail. He even works from vacation, giving comment on things, and he takes pride in even the little things. And all the work he does for charities. That's how I would want to be, if I ever got to that level."

 

Even Bandiera, a seasoned professional, was awed by the phenomenon that is Bon Jovi.

 

"I remember walking into the arena to play the first show, not seeing any plans, but just from hearing people talk about what the stage set looked like," Bandiera said. "When I walked in and saw the size of the show itself, let alone the song list that we learned to put the show together, it was kind of overwhelming. But at the same time, it was more exciting than it was overwhelming. I thought, "I'm part of this. I'm going to be part of making this happen.' "

 

 

 

 

Bon Jovi Guitarist Richie Sambora Feeling 'Great' After Detox

 

Jun 21, 2007

 

Richie Sambora feels "great" after his "detox". The Bon Jovi guitarist - who completed a week-long programme at the Los Angeles UCLA Medical Center last Wednesday (13.06.07) - revealed he sought help because he was "drinking too much".

However, he insisted he entered the facility for a "detox" and "did not check into rehab".

 

He told the 'Today' show: "Instead of me heading into a place - I was just drinking too much and I needed to get my life together. I'm still in therapy and stuff like that, but it's good. I'm great. I feel fine."

 

 

 

 

Dome set to reopen with Bon Jovi

9.35, Fri Jun 22 2007

 

 

The controversial Millennium Dome is set to reopen this weekend with Bon Jovi as the first act to play the venue.

 

It has been rebranded as the 02 arena, a giant entertainment complex in Greenwich, east London.

 

Following Bon Jovi acts such as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, the Scissor Sisters and Justin Timberlake are expected to play in the arena.

 

The Dome was built to mark the dawn of the 21st century but was quickly branded a giant white elephant.

 

Its new owners AEG Entertainment have overseen a £600 million redevelopment creating a 20,000-seater arena to host music, entertainment and sporting events.

 

Earlier this year the site missed out on the chance to become the UK's first so-called supercasino.

 

The complex also includes a smaller music venue, an 11-screen cinema multiplex and exhibition space where treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun are set to go on show.

 

The Dome is expected to be part of a massive £5 billion regeneration of the surrounding Greenwich Peninsula including 10,000 new homes, 150 shops and restaurants, schools, a museum and a park.

 

 

 

 

NEW ALBUM IS BON JOVI’s FIRST #1 DEBUT IN U.S. – AND HIGHEST ONE WEEK SALES EVER WITH OVER 291,000 COPIES SOLD

 

#1 Debut in Japan marks Bon Jovi’s 4th career #1 there – breaking Beatles’ record

 

#1 Debuts also on Billboard’s European Top 100, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Austria and Thailand

 

Clear Channel “Stripped” live performance goes up on record-breaking 602 radio station websites – sets new Clear Channel record

 

New “Uplugged” series premieres with triple broadcast on MTV, VH1 and CMT

 

Ten Nights on Sale at 18,000-seat Newark arena, The Rock (Oct. 25 through Nov. 10) – Bon Jovi’s ONLY tour dates of 2007

 

Biggest outdoor crowd in history of NBC’s Today Show Plaza in NYC– next tv appearance on Ellen (June 28-29th)

Edited June 27, 200718 yr by Dean

do you know all there american album chart positions???

Velvets can't shoot down Bon Jovi

 

 

Velvet Revolver

 

Rock 'n roll baddies Velvet Revolver shot up the Canadian charts this week, but couldn't pierce the No. 1 spot in the land.

 

The band's sophomore CD "Libertad" debuted at No. 2 with 11,000 in sales, behind Bon Jovi's "Lost Highway" (16,000), which remained at No. 1 for a third consecutive week.

 

Velvet Revolver failed to match the successful debut of their first album, "Contraband," which checked in at No. 1 back in June of 2004, according to Nielsen SoundScan data.

 

Unfortunately, it was the same story down south for the Velvets. "Libertad" checked in at No. 5 in the U.S. with 92,000 in sales, far from the No. 1 debut of "Contraband," which had 256,000 in first week sales, according to Billboard.com.

 

Back in Canada, Claude Dubois' "Duos Dubois" and Rihanna's "Good Girl Gone Bad" both climbed up one position to No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, while the White Stripes' "Icky Thump" was bumped from No. 3 to No. 5.

 

After premiering at No. 2 last week, Kelly Clarkson's latest disc "My December" went cold, sinking four spots to No. 6, while rapper T.I.'s "T.I. vs. T.I.P." had the second biggest entry at No. 7.

 

 

Michael Buble's "Call Me Irresponsible" dropped from No. 6 to No. 8, likewise for Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing," which slipped from No. 7 to No. 9, and Linkin Park rounded out the top 10 at No. 10.

 

Other notable debuts included Silverstein's "Arrivals & Departure" at No. 25, the "Transformers" soundtrack at No. 27, and the Chemical Brothers' "We Are the Night" at No. 39.

 

In the U.S., T.I. came in at No. 1, followed by Miley Cyrus' double disc "Hannah Montana 2/Meet Miley Cyrus" in second, Kelly Clarkson in third, and Bon Jovi in fourth

 

 

Bon Jovi “Lost Highway”

First came salsa from New York City; now, country music from New Jersey. Stop the insanity!

 

Last year, Bon Jovi — singer Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, bassist Hugh McDonald, keyboardist Daniel Bryan and drummer Tico Torres — scored a No. 1 country hit with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”

 

That surprise smash (featuring Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland) paved the way for “Lost Highway,” an album that hopes to cash in and exploit the band’s newfound country clout. Featuring a dozen tracks (six by the band’s regular producer John Shanks and six by Nashville producer Dann Huff), “Lost Highway” is not a dramatic departure for the New Jersey rockers. If anything, it’s the kissing cousin of “Keep the Faith” with more of a country twang.

 

 

Responsible for producing more pop confections than a cotton candy vendor on the Fourth of July, Bon Jovi (now referring to singer Jon Bon Jovi) declares, “Farewell to mediocrity” on the title track, “Lost Highway.” And not only does he do the opposite, Bon Jovi embraces mediocrity.

 

“Lost Highway,” which has nothing to do with the Leon Payne-written/Hank Williams-sung classic of the same name, opens this middle-of-the-road, faux-country disc. Bon Jovi’s warm, raspy voice is appealing, but his insanely catchy but inane lyrics that aspire for Springsteenesque grandeur are throwaways at best. Furthermore, Bon Jovi surrounds himself with a pedal steel guitar and twangy fiddle arrangement lifted out of the John Mellencamp playbook. In the end, the song is likable enough pop drivel but it does put the car song back 30 years.

 

The New Jersey rockers want to be this year’s boys of summer with “Summertime.” The song starts with a little rock ’n’ roll bombast with a strutty blend of crunchy power chords and booming drum beats, before shifting to chimy guitars and clanky drums for Bon Jovi to get confectionary and lovey-dovey. Bon Jovi croons, “Feels something like summertime/Like that first slow dance and that first long kiss/There ain’t nothing baby better than this/it’s like a beach blanket and a bottle of wine/It feels something like summertime.”

 

Bon Jovi is certainly a smoothie and knows what to say to make the girlies swoon on the stripped-down love ballad “(You Want to) Make a Memory.” Despite being overly earnest and obvious, Bon Jovi warmly gushes, “You want to make a memory?/You want to steal a piece of time?/You can sing the melody too/And I could write a couple lines.” To its credit, “(You Want to) Make a Memory” is a well-crafted pop song that’s not afraid to be gooey and sentimental. With cushiony orchestration interspersed with sparkling guitar notes, the song builds gradually in its intensity and seductive charm.

 

Bon Jovi joins forces with country-western buffoons (oops, I mean artists) Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich (aka Big & Rich) on the dumb arena anthem “We Got It Going On.” Bon Jovi declares, “We’ll be bangin’ and sangin’ just like the Rolling Stones/We’re gonna shake up your souls/We’re come to rattle your bones/’Cause we got it going on.” Yikes! With its thumping bass line, voice box guitar and cavalcade of tail-gating clichés, this annoying ditty is a lame attempt to replace Hank William Jr.’s “Monday Night Football” theme.

 

On the acoustic-tinged adult lullaby “Everybody’s Broken,” Bon Jovi tenderly aches, “It’s OK to be a little broken/Everybody’s broken in this life/It’s OK to feel a little broken/Everybody’s broken.” Apparently, it’s OK to be a broken record.

 

The album’s best bid for a legitimate country song is “Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore.” This honky-tonk heartbreaker featuring Leann Rimes builds an emotional wallop. Rimes brings a maturity and an emotional richness that most of the songs on “Lost Highway” lack. In turn, the two singers share strong chemistry and play off each other’s strengths.

 

“I Love This Town” (which could have easily been called “Place the Name of Your Hometown Here”) is shameless pandering to the Nashville crowd. In what sounds like a cross between “The Andy Griffith Show” and “The Dukes of Hazzard” set to music, Bon Jovi describes an all-American small town in which the good ol’ boys are getting noisy and drunk and the down-and-out street musicians are cute and cuddly as Muppets.

 

 

Springsteen, Bon Jovi to aid homeless CD

Jersey rockers Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi are among the high-profile musicans on tap to contribute tracks to "Give Us Your Poor," a multi-artist benefit CD to help the homeless. via CourierPostOnline

 

I love to hear about Jon's involvement in philanthropic projects. It is so inspiring. He makes great music, yes, but it is what he does with his music that is so cool. Everytime he did an appearance for his Habitat projects he carried that guitar and played that song, working his magic; it's a very powerful thing.

 

This one is special, too, because they are using musicians who "are or who have been homeless."

 

The music business is a tough one to crack. I used to live in Nashville, TN, back in the day. All I wanted to do was get into the business to work, as in publicity/media, etc. (I have no musical talent. When people would invariably ask me, "What do you play?" I would say that my talent was to push "play" on my cd player. I am real GOOD at that!!) I did everything I knew, went to the right college (Belmont U.), did the internships, paid some dues. I couldn't even find the front door - much less get my foot in there. But I had a safety net ready when I fell, thank the Lord. Some folks don't have that. Even when some do "make it," they may not ever make much money to live on.

 

I have heard Jon mention in his interviews (and in one of his songs) how even the "kid on the corner" is probably a songwriter or musician trying to make his way in that town. That's the truth. I have known some struggling musicians and songwriters there - people with such incredible gifts that I was just in awe. All they want to do is share their gifts, to play, but it is so hard to be heard over the noise of money-making in the music business. It's nice to see some of those who really made it giving back. Makes me want to buy a whole case of the cds. ###

 

If this is Bon Jovi’s last CD, “Lost Highway” was a good route to travel

 

 

Bon Jovi’s “finally found his way” and “sayin’ good bye to yesterday” on his latest album, “Lost Highway.”

 

The songs send a message of hope for the future that is awe-inspiring for all sorts of audiences: the youths, the youth adults, the middle-aged and even elderly.

 

The overall lack of profanity and typically mellow and soothing beats draw in a wide variety of listeners who can relate to many of Bon Jovi’s newest hits.

 

Bon Jovi’s single “Lost Highway” is upbeat with quotable lyrics that tell a story of how he’s finally found his way on “this lost highway” that is known as life.

 

Jon Bon Jovi’s now strumming his guitar to a hit similar to “It’s My Life” in the song “Summertime.” which fits perfectly into the release of the album (which came out in June).

 

In “(You Want to) Make a Memory,” Bon Jovi reminisces on things everyone can relate to (old friendships, old significant others, etc.), making it a soon-to-be hit on mainstream radio and certainly a favorite for any listener in this album packed with heartfelt songs.

 

Continuing the trend of somber and mellow beats, “Everybody’s Broken’s” lyrics are moving and reminds even the most contrite spirit that “it’s all right, to be a little broken” because everyone’s broken in this life. Near the end of the song his lyrics are even thought-provoking when he pops the question, “Is who you think you are who you want to be?”

 

Bon Jovi’s latest album is packed with great beats. Furthermore it’s full of lyrics everyone can relate to in their daily lives. It’s unclear whether this will be the ageless Bon Jovi’s last album before calling it a career, but of their 10 released albums (not including their two best hits albums) this could be their best yet, which could mean ending their careers on a high note if this is the last recording of their illustrious career as a band.

 

 

 

 

 

i def think there are many many more bon jovi album sto come i thik the end is a very long way off

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey lawmakers have a quandary on their hands as they try to decide on a state song. Is it better to go with a Bon Jovi song that doesn't even mention New Jersey, or a song called "I'm From New Jersey" by a relative unknown?

 

Red Mascara wrote "I'm From New Jersey" in 1960 and he's been trying ever since then to get it named the New Jersey state song.

 

It's passed one state legislature branch or the other and sometimes both, but it's never been signed into law.

 

 

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak said that Bon Jovi's "Who Says You Can't Go Home" should be the state song.

 

Mascara pointed out that Bon Jovi never even mentions New Jersey, but Lesniak said that the lyrics talk about home.

 

Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" was named the unofficial rock theme for New Jersey in 1980.

 

However, Lesniak said that song doesn't send a good message with lyrics like, "It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap. We gotta get out while we're young."

 

It may take a while to decide on a state song. Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman said that it's a nice idea but it's not at the top of her legislative agenda.

BON JOVI ATTACKS OASIS, ROBBIE WILLIAMS AND BECKHAM

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/artic...beckham_1042433

 

http://photos.contactmusic.com/m/live_earth_new_york__4_080707/live_earth_new_york_24_wenn1439067.jpg

 

Singer JON BON JOVI has launched a scathing attack at British rockers OASIS and pop star ROBBIE WILLIAMS - insisting their music is so bad they "couldn't fill a bar". The Livin' On A Prayer hitmaker also hits out at troubled Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty and pokes fun at soccer ace David Beckham in the new issue of Glamour magazine. He says of Williams, "That guy? He couldn't fill a bar. He couldn't even sell 500 tickets. "(Oasis) couldn't fill a bar, either - and they're full of themselves. He adds of Doherty, "We're not familiar of anything other than his antics and the fact that he's always in trouble - I've never heard a single one of his songs." But Bon Jovi's most bitter comments were reserved for LA Galaxy's Beckham, who he ridiculed by asking, "Is he past his prime?"

 

03/09/2007 02:07

 

 

Big & Rich set up showdown with Bon Jovi

September 26, 2007

Country pair Big Kenny and John Rich--better known as Big & Rich [ tickets ]--have added a few more dates to their current tour, which backs June's "Between Raising Hell and Amazing Grace."

The duo's new dates include two late October shows (Oct. 28 and 30) in New Jersey with Bon Jovi. The pair contributed vocals to the Jersey rock quartet's most recent album, the countrified "Lost Highway."

 

Big & Rich continue their tour Friday (9/28) in Kinder, LA. All of the duo's currently scheduled dates are shown below.

 

The duo recently celebrated its first No. 1 hit, with the lead single from the new album, "Lost in This Moment," climbing to the top of Billboard's Country Singles chart.

 

Penned by Rich along with Rodney Clawson and Keith Anderson, the song had sat on the duo's shelf for several years. "It's been sitting around in a catalog for four, five years now," Rich recently told CMT Radio. "Just didn't seem like, early on, something we would sound good doing. But we listened to it on the bus and I said I always thought this was a pretty good song ... we said let's cut it and see how it turns out. And it turned out really great."

 

The song recently netted the pair a couple of CMA Awards nominations, in the Vocal of the Year and Single of the Year categories, with Rich adding a third nomination--Song of the Year--for the co-writing credit on the track

 

Bon Jovi reunite

 

Bon Jovi showed a united front to accept their honour

Rock band Bon Jovi showed a united front last night at the Recording Academy New York Chapter Honours.

 

Fans and press were stunned when all four members, including lead guitarist Richie Sambora, walked the red carpet and received their honour together.

 

The band's publicist revealed that Richie, who is currently attending a rehab centre in Los Angeles, flew into New York especially for the event, but would be flying straight back afterwards.

 

The band refused to give interviews to many journalists, but the other guests were more than happy to see Richie in good form.

 

"He's a great musician, he's a great friend of the Academy and we're happy to have him," said Neil Portrow, CEO of The RecordingAcademy.

 

Renowned record executive LA Reid added: "I'm happy to see him. He's doing great, and we're happy that he's doing great. I'm always happy to be in a room with Richie Sambora."

 

And other musicians were also willing to dish out advice.

 

American rock singer Melissa Etheridge said: "I hope he's learning to be strong in himself. It's a tough one.

 

"It's tough when you are held up in that rock and roll lifestyle, and you're a rock god, and then you have a drinking problem, and then you have to grow up - when your job is not to grow up. But yeah, he can do it. He's a big boy."

 

 

 

Thu 27 Sep

Edited October 6, 200717 yr by Wen

Rehabbing Richie Sambora Steps Out with Bon Jovi

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27,2007.

 

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora

 

Richie Sambora was all smiles Wednesday night as the rehabbing rocker stepped out with his fellow Bon Jovi bandmates to be honored by the Recording Academy's New York Chapter.

 

Sambora, who's been receiving ongoing treatment, declared, "Welcome to the record business rehab."

 

Before accepting the honor along with the band, Sambora, wearing a black suit and looking rested and happy, told Foxnews.com's Roger Friedman, "I'm sober, I'm good."

 

Of his time at the Cirque Lodge in Utah (where Lindsay Lohan is also receiving treatment), he said, "I'm going back just to do finish this weekend. I figured, why not get to the bottom of this and really understand it?"

 

A source close to the 48-year-old musician told PEOPLE, "He has been sober since June and is doing really well. It's always been planned that he would take some time away to continue on his road to health."

 

Also honored at the event were Alicia Keys and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin. The bash also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original recording of West Side Story.

 

Melissa Etheridge, a self-proclaimed Bon Jovi fan and friend of the band, was also there to help celebrate her pals. She performed her own versions of the band's hits "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Living on a Prayer."

 

Asked about Richie's treatment, she told PEOPLE: "It's tough. You know when you are held up in that rock and roll lifestyle, you kind of have to grow up and get yourself better. But he is going to be make it okay. He's a strong person and he's going to be just fine."