Jon Bon Jovi on AOL

OnlineHost: Copyright 1995 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

OnlineHost: Center Stage is the largest gathering place on the service, bringing celebrity guests right into your home, and offering a host of entertainment events led by a team of talented emcees. It's capable of accommodating thousands of guests and is truly the showplace of the America Online service.

OnlineHost: Experiment with the menu. You'll find many powerful options including one which permits you to interact with other members present in the Auditorium. The interaction "rows" text is prefaced by a number shown in parentheses: (1), etc., which is followed by the text sent by members in that row. Unless a "row" is being "broadcast" your hosts cannot see interactive text. Try it. You can't break anything!

OnlineHost: To interact with your hosts or their guests, use the Interact Button and select either "Ask a Question" or "Send a Comment" -- please be aware that your hosts may not be able to address all items sent to the stage due to time constraints. Questions or comments sent that are not relevant to the conference in progress will not be addressed in order to save you time and charges.

OnlineHost: Your emcee is CSEmcee1 (Meg).

OnlineHost: BON JOVI's history is familiar to any rock fan who hasn't been living in a closet for the past decade. In brief, a few Jersey-based musicians build a local following with radiantly charismatic live shows, then come to national attention with the single RUNAWAY, then conquer the world with two of the most successful albums of the late eighties: SLIPPERY WHEN WET and NEW JERSEY.

OnlineHost: A period of re-assessment follows, allowing for solo projects and eventually producing KEEPING THE FAITH, an experimental album that finds the band breaking new ground musically and thematically. Looking back now, Jon says, "We've been through everything and back again together, and we've always had that kind of us-against-the-world feeling of what it meant to be in a band."

OnlineHost: Now the group has come out with their first studio album in three years, THESE DAYS. It's an album that finds the members of Bon Jovi -- Jon, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboard player David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres -- drawing on roots that were planted and bonds that were formed twelve years ago, when they first came together as a group.

OnlineHost: But as its title, and Jon's words suggest, THESE DAYS is nobody's nostalgia trip. Its heart lies decidedly in the present, and its vision extends well beyond that.

OnlineHost: Lately the world seems to be under BON JOVI's thumb once again. 1994 brought the release of CROSS ROAD, a greatest-hits collection that would re-establish the group among rock's top international acts. CROSS ROAD also went on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide and yield a new smash single, ALWAYS. This time around though, the guys are taking their triumph in stride. "You can't measure things in terms of commercial success," Jon stresses.

OnlineHost: "We've always had huge records, and we've had records that weren't huge. As long as I was happy with 'em, I didn't care. I'm really pleased that the greatest hits album was so big; that does feel good. But what matters is whether we like the songs, and whether the people who listen to them like them."

OnlineHost: With THESE DAYS, the group is getting back to these basics, even as it moves forward. The group has returned to being what it always wanted to be -- a fun rock band. The renewed sense of excitement and camaraderie is immediately apparent in the playing -- in the supple exuberance of Richie's work on guitar and sitar, or the way that David's piano and synth nuances complement Tico's crisp, muscular percussion.

OnlineHost: Beginning last spring, the band embarked on a massive worldwide tour in which they've been appearing primarily at stadiums. The idea was that there's one or two countries in the world that we've never been to. India's one of them, so they began in Bombay. After eight or nine shows in the Pacific Rim, they moved on to Japan, then Europe, and are now in the US.

OnlineHost: The group will continue throughout North America, then to South America, Australia and New Zealand. By the tour's end, the band will have covered some forty-odd countries.

OnlineHost: Last month, while still on the road, Jon made his film debut in "Moonlight and Valentino," a fact-based romance scripted by Ellen Simon, Neil's daughter -- and co-starring Whoopie Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, Elizabeth Perkins, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Now, ladies and gentlemen, meet BON JOVI!

CSEmcee1: Welcome to Center Stage, Bon Jovi!

BonJ007: Thanks!

CSEmcee1: We only have about 367 questions so far, so let's get started on some of them. Here's the first one:

Question: Jon, what do you plan to do after the tour besides a little rest and relaxation? Tour more? Work on a new album? More movies?

BonJ007: The tour will end in December and in January starting a film in England and at this we intend to tour in the spring.

Question: Is "Lie to Me" the next single? If so, what kind of video will there be? BonJ007: The next single is "Lie to Me" and Marty Ballner is doing the video. He directed something. Marty Callner and he is doing the video "Something for the Pain" and "Always."

Question: Do you guys always tune 1/2 step down when you're live?

BonJ007: Yeah, we have for the last 2 tours. It makes it easier to do 2.5 hour shows 5 nights a week.

Question: Jon, how did your concert go in Atlanta last night? I had tickets but got sick, so I have to go to AOL to hear you.

BonJ007: Atlanta went very well. It's always been a good town for us.

Question: What is with the "Helter Skelter" song? Why do you sing it a lot?

BonJ007: When we were asked to do the MTV awards, they wanted us to do something different. I thought that "Helter Skelter" was appropriate in Times Square. Because we do it Times Square so we've been doing it lately live.

Question: Will the canceled W. VA show be rescheduled?

BonJ007: No, the show in W. VA will not be rescheduled at the present time due to foreign touring commitments.

Question: When you travel on tour with all the kids, do you have to pack trunks full of toys, or get a separate hotel room as a playroom? You can tell I'm a mom used to packing like crazy just for a weekend.

BonJ007: We don't bring that many toys along. We don't often bring the kids along.

Question: What instruments were used for "Diamond Ring?"

BonJ007: Live string section. Two acoustic guitars. Bass and Drums.

Question: Jon, I have a couple of questions, but first I must congratulate you on a great performance in "Moonlight and Valentino." I was fortunate to see the movie Thursday night. Will you ever do "Wedding Day" in concert and will we be having trip for New Year's?

BonJ007: Glad you liked the movie. "Wedding Day" may never come out of the notebook. As far as the trip for New Year's, we're not sure yet.

Question: Have you ever read the Bon Jovi Newsgroup: alt.music.bon-jovi? What do you think of it?

Question: On the "Access" video you and Richie sang the chorus to a song called "Fighter For Love." Was that song ever published? I have to know! :)

BonJ007: I don't remember, to be honest with you.

Question: Jon, how involved is your family in business end of your career?

BonJ007: Both my brothers work on the tour.

Question: I love the songs "Bitter Wine" and "All I Want is Everything." I was just really curious to know why you chose to leave them off the album here in America?

BonJ007: They were only recorded as bonus tracks for Europe and Japan. Those were prior committed because of imports.

Question: I had a terrible time getting fan club seating for your Forum show coming up on the 29th in Los Angeles. In fact, I was told the fan club seats were not sold at the Forum Box Office. Do you find it hard to get the venues to comply for your fans?

BonJ007: It's very difficult not having control over the venues and ticketing agents. It's almost hit and miss. You have to depend on the promoters to see that the fan club is taken care of.

Question: Did you ever give the license plate back to that girl at the Red Rocks show? (You know, the 5 hours of rain!)

BonJ007: No, I kept it. I want to thank everybody across the country that have Bon Jovi license plates. I wish I had a picture of each one for every state.

Question: Jon, I saw your movie on Thursday. I thought the movie and your performance were both great. Why wasn't "(It's Hard) Letting You Go" anywhere in the movie? What happened to the love scene? What are your future movie plans?

BonJ007: "Letting You Go" they wanted to release as single. They would conflict with "Lie to Me" and the album/single release pattern, and they didn't use it in the film. They wanted to place it in a kissing scene and I felt it would be like a cheap Elvis movie.

Question: Rosalie Savilla sends her apologies for hitting you in the nose with a rose during your 8/9 show. Does it annoy you when fans throw things on stage?

BonJ007: There have been a lot throwing stuff on stage lately. The other night I got hit with a tape.

Question: Who's the newest bass player? He's GREAT, and he looks friendlier than Alec's other replacement.

BonJ007: It's the same guy.

Question: Do you know about the America Online Bon Jovi folder? To get to it: KEYWORD: MMC, Rock/Pop, Hard Rock/Metal, then Bon Jovi. Have you ever read the folder?

BonJ007: No, I haven't read it. This is my first time online.

Question: The Internet mailing list "Wanted...Bon Jovi" celebrated its 1st birthday last week. Are you aware of its existence and would you ever consider posting to a mailing list subscribed to by fans?

BonJ007: Yes, this is going very well.

Question: To Jon Bon Jovi: Are there any fans that you meet that particularly stand out in your mind and have you ever become friends with a fan?

BonJ007: I've become friends with lots of fans through the years. I've seen a couple of particular people that have been at several shows.

Question: Are you upset about not getting the role of Ashe Corvin in the "Crow" sequel?

BonJ007: No. That was really hype. I never even saw a script.

Question: Jon, cannot wait to see "Moonlight and Valentino." I heard it is very good. Do you plan on acting some more? Please keep up the singing, though. :)

BonJ007: I'm not going to quit my day job, and "Moonlight and Valentino" is more of a hip movie than a hit movie, but the actors were wonderful.

Question: What do you like to do in your spare time?

BonJ007: I go to movies.

Question: Jon, was the song ALWAYS from "Crossroad" about anyone? Also what bands do you listen to?

BonJ007: "Always" was written for a film "Romeo is Bleeding." Gary Olman and Lena Olin.

Question: Any advice for a musician just getting started in playing and song writing? Joe.

BonJ007: Just to be true to who you are. Don't try to write something for popularity. Don't jump on anyone else's bandwagon.

Question: What is Alec up to these days? There are so many rumors going around.

BonJ007: You probably know more than I do.

Question: Who came up with the line "You live for the fight when it's all that you've got" on "Prayer?" I live my life by it! :)

BonJ007: I don't remember. It was when Richie and I wrote it in 1986. I don't remember what I did last night.

Question: Why do the words THESE DAYS appear in so many of your new songs?

BonJ007: I don't know. It was an overtone of the album. The album talks about who we are now, not who we were during "Slippery and Wet." It's us "these days."

Question: Why was Jimmy Barnes picked to tour with the band in Australia? He snubbed Australia when he moved to France a few years ago.

BonJ007: I didn't know that. And if they have any other ideas for a support band in Australia, give us a suggestion.

Question: I love "Silent Night." Why don't you sing it at your concerts anymore?

Question: Hi, Jon. I work in a music store so I get the pleasure of hearing the new CD all day long. It seems to have the same edge that the earlier Bon Jovi had. Was that the intention, to go back to your roots?

BonJ007: To be honest with you, it's the only way we know how to produce a record.

Question: I know that there will be no Christmas Charity Concerts this year, but what about next year? I saw you in Boston last year. You were great!

BonJ007: We will be playing a Christmas Charity Concert this year.

Question: Will Richie sing "Stranger" at the Brisbane concert?

BonJ007: It's up to Richie.

Question: Jon, are you aware that your fans have set up a Bon Jovi chat night on AOL? Every Tuesday at 10:30 PM EST. All us fans get together and chat about concerts we've seen, etc.

BonJ007: No, I didn't know that. I hope to get myself online so I can check in and get up to date on computers.

Question: To: Jon Bon Jovi. I was lucky enough to catch your show at Wembly this past June and was wondering what (if anything) does the "war paint" you had on your face stand for.

BonJ007: I was reading a book about Indians and their struggle that they went through for what they believed in. So I look at this tour as sort of going to war.

Question: Jon, what's up with all the covers? I'm going to the Forum performance on 9/29 and I was hoping to hear a lot of originals, 3 hours worth (hint, hint) :). You guys brought the house down in the New Jersey tour.

BonJ007: I promise you that the Forum will be every bit of that, but covers are fun sometimes too.

Question: What is it about your wife that makes her so special and the luckiest woman in the world?

BonJ007: She's my best friend.

Question: Jon, me and my fiancee would like to get married at Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas. Then we'd like to go to a BJ Concert instead of having a reception. Will you be doing any tour dates in the Las Vegas area? If so, when?

BonJ007: Just Phoenix. That's as close as we get to Vegas for now.

Question: Why did Alec leave the group?

BonJ007: It was obvious that we were growing apart, and Alec had different priorities that led to this decision. And it wasn't fair to the band to continue in that manner.

Question: Hey, Guys. I worked as a clair sound tech on the NJ tour. Do you remember THE SLAB?

BonJ007: Yeah!

Question: Hello. Will BJ ever tour the Middle East? I know they have played Israel, but will they tour some of the Arab countries? They have a lot of fans there too. Many rock artists (Brian Adams, Michael J) have already played Dubai in U.A.E. and had sold out shows.

BonJ007: We'll play anywhere there's electricity.

Question: Why the haircut? What happened to the long-haired Bon Jovi?

BonJ007: It was time for a change.

Question: In a past interview after your cameo appearance in "Young Guns II," you have stated that acting wasn't something you would really like to do. What made you change your mind?

BonJ007: The success of the "Young Guns" album led me to study acting and it wasn't until 4 years later that I made a decision to do a film.

Question: I just saw you in Raleigh at the Creek. You were awesome! Where do you get all that energy from?

BonJ007: You!

Question: "These Days" is great! Is there any chance that you will play "Letting You Go" in concert? Say at the Count Basie Christmas Show?

BonJ007: Yeah! We're going to be working more of the new songs into the show and at the Count Basie Christmas Show.

Question: Do you still define your band as a hard rock band? Also, how do you feel about so many adult contemporary stations playing your music?

BonJ007: It's hard to be pigeon holed. We were only a rock band, period, and these days I'm glad to be on the radio however you can.

Question: Jon, my band, Liquid Courage, is heading to Europe in mid-January. Can we expect to see you all rock over there any time?

BonJ007: Yeah, we'll be back in Europe next spring.

Question: Jon, what is the significance of the star shirts you wear?

BonJ007: They were free.

Question: To the band: I was wondering will you ever allow fan club members to come backstage to do a-meet-and-greet session with you?

BonJ007: Sure. We've done that before, and we'll continue doing it.

Question: What's your personal favorite song that you're recorded?

BonJ007: It's hard to name just one. But on this new album "These Days," "Lie to Me," "Hey God" are some of my favorites.

Question: What gave you the idea for the new video "Something For The Pain?"

BonJ007: I wanted to have fun again making videos. We haven't done that in too long and I didn't want any of the parities to offer anyone.

Question: Why didn't you play longer in Times Square or on Letterman?

BonJ007: The NY City Police Department.

Question: What happened with that little interview in "Vanity Fair?"

BonJ007: That guy just had it out for me.

Question: I just want to say that some people might think the album is depressing. But being a disabled person who has questioned his faith and the world many times, I find it melancholy but also very ardent and inspiring. I'm glad your music has found new meaning.

BonJ007: Thank you.

Question: What do you say in the beginning of "Lay Your Hands on Me?" I always thought it was "They it's illegal to free your body. You gotta free your mind. So c'mon. Check this out." Am I correct?

BonJ007: I forgot.

Question: Jon, have you ever written a song for you wife or children? If so, which one?

BonJ007: "Bed of Roses."

Question: Which do you do first? Write the lyrics or the music? Also I wanted to say that I can't wait to see you in the Woodlands this Saturday.

BonJ007: Great. We write both at the same time, and we look forward to coming to Houston. Be ready to look out for a surprise on Friday as well.

Question: What do you wish someone had told you about the music biz before you got into it?

BonJ007: It's not as romantic as it seems, but it's good work if you can get it.

Question: You were great at the Hall of Fame concert. What was the most exciting part for you?

BonJ007: Meeting all the other people. Spending time with James Brown, Little Richard, The E Street Band made it the greatest music community experience I ever had.

Question: To Jon Bon Jovi: I know some fans have stood out front of your house to meet you. How do you feel about having them there? Does it bother you and how does your wife feel about it? Love YA! Dawn & Becky (PA).

BonJ007: Everyone is very nice when they come here. But it is our home and we appreciate that you all respect it. It is the place where we live.

Question: I have to go to bed soon. You know, school and all, but ever since you were supposed to be on AOL, I have planned to ask you this: In your opinion, are you "Saturday Night?"

BonJ007: Not yet.

Question: Jon, great song writing on the new album and thanks for the excellent concert at Wolf Mountain! Where did you get the puppets?

BonJ007: They were from the stadium show in Europe.

Question: Do you still enjoy touring as much now that you are married and have kids?

BonJ007: Yeah. We do. We wouldn't do it anymore if we didn't love it.

Question: Hey, Jon, if you have not made it big in music what would you be doing today?

BonJ007: I've been pretty happy working any job through the years. I'm not an applause junky.

Question: Jon, I live in the town that you live in in New Jersey (I don't want to mention the name.), and I heard that you were moving. Is that true?

BonJ007: Yeah. We are going to be moving, but we're staying in NJ.

CSEmcee1: We have time for just one more question.

Question: With the demand for in New Age music, is your band interested in this realm? And do you plan to write New Age songs?

Question: Do you still keep in contact with the band Cinderella?

BonJ007: They're still living in NJ the last time I heard.

CSEmcee1: Thank you so much for taking time to chat with us. And thanks for the interesting questions, audience.

BonJ007: Thanks to everyone. It was the first time for me and I'd like to do it again.

OnlineHost: Our thanks to Bon Jovi for taking time from the US leg of their tour to join us this evening. If you arrived late, a transcript of this event will be available for your downloading pleasure within 24 ours. Thank you, audience, for stopping by this evening and good night!

OnlineHost: Copyright 1995 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

back to chat/article/interview archive index