Resplendent Randomness: Richie and...Usher?

Apparently. Video of Usher performing U Got It Bad with our Richie playing the solo on the AMAs.

Update: I had the year wrong (way wrong, sorry about that -- that was the video post date -- blame it on the tequila) so I removed it.

~ Hath

Behind the Scenes with Bon Jovi

As reported on STV Edinburgh:

The group from Edinburgh’s Telford College became interns backstage on the tour for one night.

They got to watch the sound check, help out in the VIP lounge and watch the band perform to their loving fans as the learnt what being a roadie really means.

Mike Savas, the VIP Co-ordinator for the band told STV News that the job was perfect for a music fan.

He said: "I love the camp that I work for, I love working for Bon Jovi, I love travelling the world. This job has plenty of highs - we sell out stadiums every single night. It's truly a music fans dream to be part of this organisation."

While the band play to more than 1.5 million music-lovers on their world tour, their crew are behind the scene looking after sound, lighting, tickets and merchandising.

The students were grateful for the opportunity, describing it as “amazing”.

Klara Dixon said: "I’m hoping to take away so many experiences - you don’t always understand what goes on backstage, how many people are involved and what goes on."

There's also a video with the article; you can watch that here.

~ Hath

Out and About...

... Jon (and the brace, and what looks like some REALLY good meds) out and about for dinner in London.

Thanks Catte, for the pictures.

Gotta love the one of the brace.

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Yes!!!

And I know a whole SLEW of women who'd sign up...

~ Hath

Hmmm, Maybe...

I'm at Willow's house in Jersey this weekend to visit with some of my girls (Queenie and CatteSambora are due in a couple hours, with TaraLeigh coming later this afternoon).  Maybe this is something we can do before hitting the "big wine store" this evening...

As reported in Press of Atlantic City:

It makes sense that one type of creativity melds into another type of creativity - even when it is least expected.

That's why the Classic Rock Art Show at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is such a rarity - no one realizes Ringo Starr creates computerized artwork or Jon Anderson from Yes paints with watercolors.

The show features original art, lithographs, photographs, handwritten song lyrics, concert posters, gold records, album art and animation drawings, although you never know what else you might come across.

"I say it's the Brat Pack to the Red Hot Chili Peppers," Segelbaum said of the diversity of the artwork.

Some of the featured artists are Dave Matthews, Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Jerry Garcia, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Carlos Santana, The Doors, Tony Bennett, The Police, Yes, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, U2, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Mellencamp and Pink Floyd.

Maybe we'll just drink wine.

You can read the whole article here.

~ Hath

Resplendent Randomness: YOU can touch my cane

I laughed my butt off at the end of this video from Denmark.  Thanks, Catte!

~ Hath

Bon Jovi: rockin' on

An excerpt from an article with Jon on Independent.ie:

"We're on the longest tour we've done since the mid-90s -- about 130 shows in. Last night I did three hours and 10 minutes. And there ain't no drum solos at a Bon Jovi concert. That's me singing for three hours. The point is, we are smart and old enough now to pace a tour properly."

By 'pacing' he means foregoing the traditional rockstar perks of drugs, four-in-a-bed romps and champagne-filled hot-tubs.

Post-concert, Bon Jovi whizzed back to his hotel room and tried to switch on the TV. When he couldn't get the remote control working, he figured it was time to call it a night. He brushed his teeth, read a few pages of a book and killed the lights. The picture he paints is of a travelling salesman knocking off early after a successful but basically run-of-the-mill day (it comes as no surprise to learn Bon Jovi's pastimes include wine collecting and cooking). We're not exactly talking Ozzy Osbourne snorting powdered virgin blood out of a groupie's armpit.

"One minute you're in front of 75,000 people in a stadium that's as big as that one we played in Ireland, what was it called? Croke Park.

"You come back, you're sitting in your room by yourself and your ears are ringing. I couldn't figure out how to get the TV or the internet to work. So I said, 'oh well, time to go to bed'.

There is also a small blurb about Richie's time in rehab:

There were fears Sambora, a big-hearted dude with a weakness for the arena-hero lifestyle, might be out of commission for the rest of the year, a huge setback given that his backing vocals and guitar parts are integral to the Bon Jovi sound.

However, he has returned to the fold and remains on the wagon. Bon Jovi's publicists have insisted the subject is off limits, so it's somewhat surprising that the singer brings it up himself. "Richie has fought the good fight," he says. "He's back on his feet again and he's swinging with everything he's got, every time he has the chance to do it."

~ Hath

Win Tickets to Dublin Show

Complements of RTÉ TEN:

Along with general admission tickets for the concert, the winner and their guest will take part in the Mike Rew Experience Backstage Tour.

Bon Jovi's Backline Crew Chief, Mike Rew, will give the winner and guest a guided tour of all the production elements including the innovative RoboScreens - multi-axis robotic video screens used for the first time ever in a concert setting - lighting, backline, Jon Bon Jovi's quick-change room underneath the stage, Richie Sambora's guitar vault and much more.

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize, just answer this question:

What was the title of Bon Jovi's 1986 breakthrough album?

Send your answer, name, address and telephone number, marked 'Bon Jovi Comp', to: travel@rte.ie. One entry per person. Closing date: Monday, 27 June.

There do not seem to be restrictions on country of residence, just that you have to be 18 or older. Good luck!!

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Boredom

I'm like this today -- though nudity is frowned upon where I work. In just a few hours I leave for my weekend in NJ with some of mah girls. Drinking, writing, and football. How does it get better than this?

~ Hath

Murrayfield Stadium Review

From the Daily Record:

After a low-key start, Bon Jovi eventually kicked off the Scottish leg of their Circle Tour in proper stadium-rock fashion three songs in with fan favourite, You Give Love A Bad Name.

Wearing a large brace on his knee following a recent onstage injury, Jon Bon Jovi wasn't going to let a little rain spoil his or the fans' enjoyment, either.

Attempting a wee highland fling, he said: "Happy Wednesday night, hope you all got plenty sunscreen on. I don't mind a little rain."


Focusing on their hits, the New Jersey cowboys didn't have much trouble cajoling the entire stadium into waving their arms along to early Bon Jovi classic, the aptly-titled, Raise Your Hands.

"Is there a doctor in the house?" Jovi enquired launching headwind into a hot and fiery version of Bad Medicine. "I need a nurse, or at least someone who looks like one."

A few women in the audience thought they were going to be asked up onto the stage, but Jovi was merely teasing.

A medley consisting of Rod Stewart's Hot Legs and Lulu's Shout brought a nice change of pace.

And while the band's newer, acoustic material was lukewarmly received - giving guitarist Richie Sambora, who just got out of rehab prior to the tour, a chance to show off his rock-star poses - it was the likes of Keep The Faith, Wanted Dead Or Alive, and quintessential Bon Jovi hit, Livin' On A Prayer that truly sent Murrayfield Stadium into delirium.

~ Hath

Munich Bootleg (FLAC)

From the bootleg sites:

June 12, 2011 / Olympic Stadium / Munich, Germany

01 Intro (1:39)
02 Raise Your Hands (5:16)
03 You Give Love A Bad Name (3:44)
04 Born To Be My Baby (5:07)
05 We Weren't Born To Follow (4:03)
06 In These Arms (6:41)
07 Runaway (5:11)
08 It's My Life (4:22)
09 Blaze Of Glory (5:43)
10 Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars (5:42)
11 Bad Medicine ~ Rock You Like A Hurricane ~ Old Time Rock And Roll (13:05)
12 The More Things Change (5:10)
13 Lay Your Hands On Me (7:42)
14 When We Were Beautiful (5:56)
15 Bed Of Roses (9:03)
16 I'll Be There For You (9:36)
17 Bells Of Freedom (Acoustic) (5:39)
18 Who Says You Can't Go Home (6:46)
19 I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (6:00)
20 Someday I'll Be Saturday Night (5:48)
21 Have A Nice Day (4:06)
22 Keep The Faith (7:10)
23 Dry County (10:57)
24 Wanted Dead Or Alive (6:29)
25 Always (8:00)
26 Livin' On A Prayer (8:04)
27 These Days (6:26)
28 Blood On Blood (7:00)


Update: Original inks removed at taper's request.

House of Bootlegs has this and many other shows for your trading pleasure.
Lost Highway Bon Jovi Bootlegs also has this for download (among MANY others)

Some options for dealing with the RAR/FLAC files in the download can be found here. Remember, this is just what I do -- there are different and perhaps better ways to do it, but this works for me.

Enjoy!

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Uhhhmmm

This one cracked me up.

You know, Jon, rehearsals would remove the need for the TelePromptR... Just sayin'.

OR you could just ask US (even in the US). We do know the words....

~ Hath

Signed Digital Artwork Auction

Up for bids:

Two pieces of original digital artwork created by Soundwaves Studio signed by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres and David Bryan of Bon Jovi. The images are digital representations of the song "Livin' on a Prayer" put to canvas. The band signed these canvases in Chicago in 2010. They're 40 by 40 inches.

Bidding starts at $250 USD and the auction opens this Saturday (June 25) at 10am EST at Julien's Auctions.

Good Luck!

~ Hath

He Who Dies With The Most Toys...

Thanks Queenie, for dropping me this item -- it really is a gorgeous car.

Jon Bon Jovi has purchased the #51 Car from the Indianapolis 500.

~ Hath

Another Shirt for the Collection

From Philly.com:

Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen met up with Jon Bon Jovi backstage at Bon Jovi's show Friday at Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland, Timonen's native country, and presented Bon Jovi with one of his jerseys. An hour into the three-hour set Bon Jovi strained his MCL in his knee and finished the show but has been on crutches for the past few days.

I wonder how much of Jon's closet is dedicated to sports jerseys he's received from teams around the world...

~ Hath

Oh, and as long as we're speaking about Hockey...

Congratulations to my Boston Bruins on a fantastic season!

Wanted Wednesday: Manchester, 2008

Please rise, for the playing of our National Anthem...

Ah, the Lost Highway tour. I have some very fond memories from that tour. Central Park was the capper, but lots of good times.

In this track Jon keeps the vocals (until they've been everywhere, standing tall), and I have to say, the folks in Manchester know NOT to come in too early at the beginning of the song. That's one of my pet peeves in Jovidom.

Anyway, thanks to Bunfags, we can watch this little piece of nice right here:



The double-wing-salute thing at the end always gets me choked up.

Let's Ride!





You can download this file from my Mediafire.

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Bad Habits

Resplendent Randomness: Lay Your Hands On Me

From Horsens -- Richie on vocals.
AMAZING quality video from Murmele (thank you!!!) and just makes me smile.

~ Hath



And because, I couldn't resist, here are some stills from the video:

                        

Resplendent Randomness: Dry County

From Munich.  *sigh*

~ Hath

Do You Need a Laugh?

This ought to do it.

Not for those who are offended by the F-bomb.

This is my new standard baby shower gift :)

Thanks Catte, for dropping this link in my inbox.

~ Hath

JonBon Wants to Rock Scotland

As reported by the UK's Daily Record:

Bon Jovi are on the home straight of their 2010-2011 world tour, playing 135 shows in 30 countries including a gig at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

It's a punishing schedule but the New Jersey-born singer is holding up well. Just hours before a show for 80,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium, Jon, 49, told me: "I'm not really feeling the wear and tear of having done 120 shows already.

"There are extremes to being on the road. When I'm at home I'm just dad.

You're taking the kids to school, dealing with high school graduations and proms.

"Then I go on tour and the next day I'm back to being a vampire again. I sleep until one in the afternoon and don't go to bed until way too late when the wine has dried up.

It's a whole different lifestyle but it works for me. I'm not the kind of guy who needs a lot of luxury on the road."

Read the whole article here.

~ Hath

Thanks, Imp, for the article link

JonBon to have Surgery next month

As posted by JBJ (or a delegate) to Facebook:

Hi guys - everything went fine last night in Denmark, just a little soreness. The brace takes the pressure off but it's just a precaution until the surgery next month. We're moving forward as usual.

However, as we continue on, it was also important to us to honor our friend Clarence Clemons. His passing is a sad loss and we wanted to honor him, his family, his bandmates and his many friends. Our performance of “10th Avenue Freeze Out” was from all of us, as your fans. -jbj

This makes me wonder if it's really an MCL tear or something more. Surgery for MCL tears is usually only indicated if there are other joint issues. BUT, I'm just a victim of knee problems, not a doctor (lol) so what do I know?

That being said, the recovery time from surgery is far less than that with bracing. Worst case, a Grade-III tear is a few months in a hinged brace followed by physical therapy. Surgery is less time than that in terms of non-mobility.

In any event, speedy recovery wishes to you, Jon. Knees can be a bitch, and we like you dropping to them too much in KTF for you to irrevocably damage them.

~ Hath

Mid-Day Motivators: Authentic

Resplendent Randomness: Damned

From Oslo last week. I know -- it hasn't been that long. But this such a damned good song (pun firmly intended).

Thanks Catte for working on BJCT today and finding this!! :)

~ Hath

OUCH

I think the drum-major cane would have gone MUCH better with the red jacket, no?

Seriously though, man, I remember my weeks in a brace like that.

Not.
Fun.

At.
All.

Fans are calling him our Superman.  Those with harsh feelings for JonBon and the boys are saying this is just one more sign that they're too old for this sh!t, and should seriously step aside and "go away".

For me, it lies somewhere in the middle.  Yes, I love the music and the energy of the live shows.  But in recent months, between the calf strain, Richie's exhaustion/substance abuse issues, and now this -- maybe there is some sort of Karmic sign reminding them that they're not spring chickens anymore.

Whatever side of the debate you're on, you can't fault the man for trying to keep it together.

Good luck with the rest of the tour, Jon -- you've got some pretty big shows coming up.

~ Hath

Fans to name Best Live Act

From the London Evening Standard:

A search for Britain's best live act has been launched with Green Day, Paul McCartney, Muse and Bon Jovi among the favourites.

The poll, by music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins and backed by the Evening Standard, will honour the act chosen by the public from a shortlist of 30.

The list was drawn up by Ticketmaster based on customer reviews of all live shows over the past 12 months. The winner will be announced at the O2 Silver Clef Awards on July 1.

David Munns, chairman of Nordoff Robbins, which uses music as therapy for a number of conditions, said: "We want the public to tell us about a gig that's transformed their life in the last 12 months."

Everyone who votes gets the chance to win one of four prizes - £500 Ticketmaster gift cards, four VIP tickets to a concert at the O2 arena, an engraved iPhone or two tickets to the O2 Silver Clef Awards.

Cast your vote at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

Anyone can vote, however, according to the official rules only UK residents 18 years or older are eligible to win the prize draw. Also, only one vote per person.

~ Hath

R.I.P. Clarence Clemons

Jon and the Boys paid tribute to Clarence Clemons, the larger-than-life saxophone player for the E Street Band, who died Saturday night after being hospitalized following a stroke almost a week prior. At their concert in Denmark, Bon Jovi played "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out."



Springsteen posted a message on his website over the weekend in tribute of his longtime friend:

"Clarence lived a wonderful life," Springsteen wrote." "He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years."

NJ.COM had this to say, as part of a really nice article:

Clemons’ richly textured saxophone was so integral to the sound of the E Street Band and his larger-than-life presence was such a central element in the band’s stage show that it’s hard to wrap your head around the concept of the group continuing without him.

But the band has endured countless lineup changes over the years. And the 2008 loss of another original member — keyboardist Danny Federici, who died of cancer — did not put an end to it.

It’s too early to say whether the band will continue in any form. It doesn’t even feel right to think about it. Yet it must be noted that the last two sentences of Springsteen’s online message seem to leave the door open for that to happen: "He was my great friend, my partner, and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

Life does go on, and the band may live to rock another day. But it would be a different band — with the same name, maybe, but a different sound, and a different personality.

The E Street Band may eventually present joyful shows again. But there will be an inescapable sadness whenever your eyes wander to the part of the stage where Clemons always stood. The Big Man’s stamp was simply that big.

RIP Big Man
Clarence Clemons
1942 - 2011

~ Hath

VH1 Classic is paying tribute to Clarence Clemons with 24 hours of Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. They started last night (June 19th) at 7PM EST.

TonyK (The Screen Door) also has a lovely, poignant piece up.Clarence Clemons: Cross This River To The Other Side

Jon's Injury

By now, I'm sure everyone's heard this:

Most rock band’s lead singers have a reputation for toughness but Jon Bon Jovi is raising the bar. Jon suffered a serious strain at a concert in Finland last night and still finished a three-hour show.

Playing to a sold-out crowd at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki the 49-year old iconic rocker damaged what’s known as the ‘Medial Collateral Ligament’ at the core of the knee.

The injury apparently happened about an hour into their set, but despite what must have been serious pain and a torrential rainstorm Jon kept things rocking for another two hours before seeking help.

“Fans need not worry,” Matt Bongiovi, of the band’s fan club assured Us Magazine. “Jon is in good health and future shows will not be affected.”

Any injury to this particular ligament can be really painful and recovery can take over three months. Jon is now using crutches to help reduce the effects but the band already confirmed they’ll be headlining the ‘Hard Rock Calling’ event in London which starts in just five days.

source

As a veteran of two blown-out knee caps (all ligament damage, no surgery) I can empathize.

Stay off it as much as possible, Jon (haha) and LISTEN to the doctors...

~ Hath