Source: Manchester Evening News

THERE was rain - and then it rained some more - but it couldn't dampen the spirits of the thousands crammed into the City of Manchester Stadium to see veteran rockers Bon Jovi strut their stuff live.

Slippery When Wet indeed.

And it was that legendary 1986 album which provided the breathless opening to this gig. Wasting no time they dug out two Bon Jovi classics to give the front end of the show a few fireworks. Kicking off with the anthemic Livin' On A Prayer then ploughing directly into You Give Love A Bad Name.

All of a sudden we were back in the heart and soul of the 1980s and I felt undressed without shoulder pads, ridiculously manicured hair and a forearm full of bangles.

But it was obvious the tempo would have to take a little dip at some point - the band are not exactly spring chickens these days. Jon Bon Jovi aside, New Jersey's most celebrated pop rockers are clearly starting to look their age - guitarist Richie Sambora looking for all the world like he's been poured into his outfit by someone without an eye for portion control.

But, hey, at least the legendary stringsman has found enough time outside of rehab to make a sustained appearance on this tour.

And the band are all the better for his fabulous fretwork. We're talking old school rock and roll lead guitar here folks, including facial grimaces in all the right places. Stirring stuff for air guitarists everywhere.

Jon Bon Jovi still looks ridiculously effervescent of course. Hellraising rockers just can't look like that without some kind of surgical help can they? I mean, look at Lemmy.

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