Bon Jovi headlines ‘Idol’, Complying to Gazza's Requests
To play single after contestants pay salute
By Monique Marcil
Zap2it
Fox
Jon Bon Jovi mentors the contestants as they prepare to sing songs by his legendary band on “American Idol” at 9 p.m. today on Fox.
Life and love and loss and freedom.
That’s how Jon Bon Jovi describes the themes of his band’s new album, “Lost Highway,” due June 19. The band will perform a new single, “(You Want to) Make a Memory,” on Wednesday on Fox’s “American Idol,” after performances of its songs by contestants on tonight’s show.
No one is more surprised than Bon Jovi that the band has another record so soon after the overwhelming success of “Have a Nice Day,” featuring the crossover hit “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” with country band Sugarland.
“If you would ever have told me I would have a record in the fourth quarter of last year, having just completed a world tour,” Bon Jovi says, “I would have said you can bet all the tea in China, it’s just not going to happen.
“But because of the circumstances around our lives, they were very fruitful, and a lot of the inspiration was watching what was happening in Richie’s life (bandmate Sambora split with wife Heather Locklear and is dating Denise Richards), compounded by all the good things that were happening in all our collective lives.”
Bon Jovi says “Lost Highway” isn’t a conscious attempt to capitalize on the crossover success of “Who Says,” which won a Grammy and became the first song by a rock band to hit No. 1 on the country charts.
“But the feeling came, and when it does, you have to know to go with it,” he says. “And we went to Nashville in September, and by December, 10 of the 12 songs were written and recorded and ready for mixing. It was just in the last couple of months that, because I always do this, I pulled the record back and wrote five more, two of which made the record.”
Bon Jovi thinks the crossover appeal of “Who Says” and the new album is the result of country radio getting closer to the band’s sound, not the other way around. Two of the songs feature Big & Rich and LeAnn Rimes, and Bon Jovi says his country influences are new artists as much as the “real gods,” including Johnny Cash.
“Different people, different reasons,” he says. “It’s all a big soup. Everybody adds a little ingredient, and that’s what makes the next generation go on. You can’t be a rip-off of one guy. You don’t find an influence; you find your influence’s influence. You take a little piece of that and a little piece of this and a little piece of the other thing, and then that’s what makes you and how you get to be here for 25 years.”
Today, longevity in the music industry also requires embracing multimedia opportunities to connect with audiences, such as “American Idol,” which Bon Jovi just recently watched for the first time.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to; I just didn’t,” he says. “I’ve had a lot of guys cover our songs on it, and then giving them songs subsequently for their records, but (had) never seen it. That’s 30 million that watch TV, so these days, being on ‘American Idol’ certainly isn’t a bad thing.
“You got to get music out there however you can,” Bon Jovi continues. “Radio is getting smaller and smaller; the record business is getting smaller and smaller. There are things that are fantastic, like the Internet, (but) it’s tough because it’s created something none of us knew 10 years ago, and you have to learn to roll with those punches. But it’s not the way it used to be; it’s not the record business that I grew up in.”
“American Idol” is among just a handful of TV shows and odd performance dates in support of the album until the world tour next year. Yet Bon Jovi is busier than ever.
“Sort of like Levis, man, we’re everywhere,” he says, laughing.
This is even more true of Bon Jovi himself, who appears in Kenneth Cole ads to raise money for the Philadelphia Soul Foundation, named after the arena football team he co-owns (with Sambora and others), which builds houses for people who need them.
In September 2005, he presented Oprah Winfrey with a $1 million check from the entire band on her show to aid her Angel Network’s Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
“I knew that with our determination we could make a difference,” he says, “and families live in 28 homes that we paid for by the one-year anniversary. And in the Lower Ninth, as you can tell, it still isn’t rebuilt, but you get some powerful people like Oprah behind you, and they tend to get things done.
“There’s a lot of wonderful causes and none of them is more important than the next, but you can’t be at everything, you can’t do everything, and you’ve got to find things that you think you can make a difference in. And for me, it’s been affordable housing through the Soul Foundation because ultimately, I don’t need scientists to come up with a cure. I can do this with time, effort and money. It’s something that we as just average guys can really make a difference.”
Bon Jovi also continues to squeeze in some acting. His favorite TV show is “The Sopranos,” and he recently appeared at a benefit for cast member Michael Imperioli’s New York theater company, Studio Dante. Playwright Adam Szymkowicz raved about his performance in a blog the next day.
“You know that classic line from ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in’?” Bon Jovi asks. “That’s how I feel about the acting. Now I’m getting more offers than I can shake a stick at. And they’re really good studio pictures. I’d like to do more; it’s just that, thank God, I have a very successful day job.”
Bon Jovi fans around the world, both old and new, can’t get enough of the band’s signature blend of big sound, optimistic lyrics, showmanship and sex appeal. During a concert in Albany, N.Y., on the most recent tour, a lucky few had a nice day when they found themselves embraced by Jon, and their adoration could be seen and felt across the arena.
“I started every show in the audience on that last tour,” he says, “and it’s good because as we play these bigger and bigger and bigger and multiple nights at football stadiums, sometimes it’s hard to see the people, let alone touch them. So it was an idea that I’d get out there among the crowd and play ‘Last Man Standing’ and let the folks in the back have the front-row seats for the first song. We’ve always been about inclusion with our audience, and I think that’s probably another facet to our success. That was just one of the examples of it.”
And we wonder why mainstream music sucks..first Rod Stewart on there, teaching them not to sing "Hot Legs" but his new shite. Only half decent act on there has been Queen.
1st May 2007 08:26 PM
Ten Thousand Motels
LOL. Too fuckin' much!!!!
[Edited by Ten Thousand Motels]
1st May 2007 09:14 PM
Nellcote
Why not?
1st May 2007 09:16 PM
mojoman
bonojovi has saved rock and roll
1st May 2007 09:40 PM
PartyDoll MEG
Sorry, Gazza.. I know this is heresy....That was one of the best AI shows I've ever watched..on TiVo with fast forward, of course, so I don't have to hear the "shite"!! Did you know you can watch that one hour show in 20 minutes that way?
Blake definitely showed the most originality..but then, he is my favorite..
1st May 2007 10:05 PM
glencar
Meg & I are sympatico! I hate those yelly chicks!
2nd May 2007 01:47 PM
Saint Sway
LOL - you know its just about the money and no longer about the music, when they start referring to their record releases in terms of fiscal quarters...
“If you would ever have told me I would have a record in the fourth quarter of last year, having just completed a world tour,” Bon Jovi says, “I would have said you can bet all the tea in China, it’s just not going to happen"
~ Jon Bon Jovi, CEO & President of Bon Jovi Corp.
2nd May 2007 02:50 PM
Nellcote
Right.
Someone beyond our station played out the
deck of cards.
Bon Jovi can talk about a new lp.
Keith Richards can survive.
Johnny Johnston was piano player for the greatest riff master ever, ended up a bus driver, only to be rescued.
I am a fantasy fufillment specialist.
Bin Laden eats bugs in a cave.
Al Gore invented the internet.
Just the deck of cards you are dealt.
2nd May 2007 02:52 PM
Joey
I just barfed !
2nd May 2007 02:57 PM
Nellcote
You should seek medical attention, as well as call OSHA, as vomit is considered "hazardous material". Please consider using protective equipment in the removal of this debris.
Thank you for your continued cooperation and support!
2nd May 2007 02:57 PM
PartyDoll MEG
quote:Joey wrote:
I just barfed !
Here Joey..use this....
2nd May 2007 03:00 PM
LadyJane
quote:Nellcote wrote:
Right.
Someone beyond our station played out the
deck of cards.
Bon Jovi can talk about a new lp.
Keith Richards can survive.
Johnny Johnston was piano player for the greatest riff master ever, ended up a bus driver, only to be rescued.
I am a fantasy fufillment specialist.
Bin Laden eats bugs in a cave.
Al Gore invented the internet.
Just the deck of cards you are dealt.
Best attitude of ANY poster on Rocks Off.
Refreshing.
LJ.
2nd May 2007 03:02 PM
Nellcote
You are far too kind.
We need to drink again.
Hold that thought, get back to me.
2nd May 2007 03:03 PM
PartyDoll MEG
quote:Nellcote wrote:
Right.
Someone beyond our station played out the
deck of cards.
Bon Jovi can talk about a new lp.
Keith Richards can survive.
Johnny Johnston was piano player for the greatest riff master ever, ended up a bus driver, only to be rescued.
I am a fantasy fufillment specialist.
Bin Laden eats bugs in a cave.
Al Gore invented the internet.
Same applies to you.
Enough of this, or I'll need Joey's equipment!
2nd May 2007 03:41 PM
pdog
since the slut and the gay dude are gone, does anyone watch Idol?
2nd May 2007 05:00 PM
PartyDoll MEG
Here P..you can watch it...
My friend who loves Bon Jovi hated this...
2nd May 2007 05:05 PM
pdog
Wow, that is bad! i made it to the first 30 seconds of the song...
2nd May 2007 05:19 PM
TampabayStone
quote:pdog wrote:
Pdog, The above slut was on Idol????
[Edited by TampabayStone]
2nd May 2007 05:34 PM
pdog
YES!
2nd May 2007 05:36 PM
Saint Sway
talent.
2nd May 2007 05:38 PM
pdog
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
talent.
2nd May 2007 05:39 PM
pdog
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
talent.
2nd May 2007 05:40 PM
pdog
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
talent.
2nd May 2007 05:43 PM
pdog
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
talent.
Joey!
2nd May 2007 05:45 PM
pdog
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
talent.
2nd May 2007 07:07 PM
mojoman
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
LOL - you know its just about the money and no longer about the music, when they start referring to their record releases in terms of fiscal quarters...
“If you would ever have told me I would have a record in the fourth quarter of last year, having just completed a world tour,” Bon Jovi says, “I would have said you can bet all the tea in China, it’s just not going to happen"
~ Jon Bon Jovi, CEO & President of Bon Jovi Corp.
its all about the hair
2nd May 2007 07:32 PM
pdog
quote:mojoman wrote:
its all about the hair
It should be that way... But it's not!
Search for information in the wet page, the archives and this board:
The Rolling Stones World Tour 2005 Rolling Stones Bigger Bang Tour 2005 2006 Rolling Stones Forum - Rolling Stones Message Board - Mick Jagger - Keith Richards - Brian Jones - Charlie Watts - Ian Stewart - Stu - Bill Wyman - Mick Taylor - Ronnie Wood - Ron Wood - Rolling Stones 2005 Tour - Farewell Tour - Rolling Stones: Onstage World Tour A Bigger Bang US Tour
NEW: SEARCH ZONE:
Search for goods, you'll find the impossible collector's item!!!
....That was one of the best AI shows I've ever watched..on TiVo with fast forward, of course, so I don't have to hear the "shite"!! Did you know you can watch that one hour show in 20 minutes that way?
