Source: The Washington Times

he next time you feel like cracking a New Jersey joke, pause for a second to ponder the musicians the Garden State has given us. Some rank among the country's most successful in a host of genres, including Frank Sinatra, the Four Seasons, Queen Latifah, Bruce Springsteen and, of course, Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi has been delivering its brand of hard rock for close to a quarter century and, in that time, has sold more than 120 million albums, performed more than 2,500 concerts worldwide, and provided college co-eds and suburban moms alike with such perennial singalong favorites as "Livin' on a Prayer" and "It's My Life." In a recent teleconference with reporters, Bon Jovi band members said the secrets of their success were songwriting skill, performance ability and, yes, their good old New Jersey roots. "Being from Jersey," said drummer Tico Torres, "it's more street and attitude." Also, the foursome lived close to New York City — a proving ground for young artists, a major industry stronghold, and what Mr. Torres calls "a mecca for world music." Getting a foothold there early on in the band's career allowed Bon Jovi to leap into the global market rapidly.

"There's always been a little saying ... in Jersey: If you made it in New York, you made it worldwide," Mr. Torres said.

For Bon Jovi, music hasn't just been a way to attract fans and sell albums; it's been a way to help and to heal. Last year, for example, when guitarist Richie Sambora was dealing with his father's death from lung cancer, the finalization of his divorce with Heather Locklear, a split with girlfriend Denise Richards and substance abuse issues, getting back on the road with his band mates was just what the doctor ordered.

"Just because you're a rock 'n' roll star doesn't make you exempt from any of life's tragedies," Mr. Sambora said. "I had a couple of them kind of mount up on me a bit. But the band is obviously a great, great aid in pulling me up and helping me out of all those situations."

This past summer, Mr. Sambora checked himself into a treatment facility to confront a drinking problem. "About a week after I got detoxed and stopped all that stuff, I went right back to work. And we just started touring and promotion on [our new] 'Lost Highway' album, and between the band and the fans in my face, it got me through it."

---

Read the rest of the article by following the link below...

Related URL: http://washingtontimes.com/article/20080222/ENTERTAINMENT/806450054/1007

back to news index / central page