Bon Jovi fills arena with fans and hope
Friday, October 26, 2007
BY JAY LUSTIGStar-Ledger Staff
Late in Bon Jovi's show last night at the Prudential Center, frontman Jon Bon Jovi was trying to whip the frenzied crowd into an even greater frenzy.
"This is a historic night in the state of New Jersey," he said. "I want to hear you!"
Historic it was. The show -- the first of 10 the band will present at the venue -- was free of glitches, and boasted sound as sharp as arena sound can get. The musicians, both Bon Jovi and opening act My Chemical Romance, were in fine, spirited form.
The arena came with a big price tag. But Bon Jovi opened its set as if it were just another gig at a local bar.
First, a roadie delivered a couple of cases of beer to the stage. Then Kurt Johnston, a multi-instrumentalist who is joining the band for this tour, sat at his pedal steel guitar and started playing and singing a honky-tonk version of the Leon Payne-written, Hank Williams-recorded song, "Lost Highway." The other members of the band took the stage, one by one, and played along with him. Neon signs at the back of the stage read "Open," "Bar" and "Beer."
After everyone finally appeared, and the song ended, the band launched into its own, self-written "Lost Highway," the title track from the band's latest album. Next came monster hit "You Give Love a Bad Name."
"It looks good with all you people here," said Jon Bon Jovi after this song. "It looks really good."
Other fan favorites included "Born To Be My Baby," "It's My Life," "Blaze of Glory" and "Have a Nice Day." Guitarist Richie Sambora stood at center stage and sang rough-edged lead vocals on "These Days."
The show peaked late, with one irresistible song after another: "Raise Your Hands," "Bad Medicine," "Shout," "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
The encores included signature songs "Livin' On a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive," and the show ended at 11:20 p.m.
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