| 7 August 2003 - E. Rutherford, NJ, USA Concert Review |
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Say It Isn't So
I was on Metal-Sludge.com and I read this. I'm not trying to start anything.....I just want to know the truth. The reason I'm coming here is because there's gotta be some fans who know about this. I was not at this show, I was at night 2. I know for a fact that $600 per ticket is not unusual to bay on eBay for good seats. If you want to delete this...fine, but I would like to get some kind of response. Thank you.
Bon Jovi Concert-goers illegally removed from seats!?
My sister and I flew from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to New York to see Bon Jovi at Giants Stadium (August 7, 2003), expecting to see a concert that lived up to their professional reputations. Show up, be on time, and put on a good show. However, before the show even started, their reputations for us and many fans had been reduced to Axl Rose status - one of utter unprofessionalism and total disregard for their fans.
The last thing we expected upon arrival was that we would be removed from our eighth row centre floor seats, among dozens of others, to accommodate family and friends of the band. We were informed by Bon Jovi management that Jon's mother told Ticketmaster that her son would not take the stage if they did not issue a reprint of the tickets. In other words, there were duplicate tickets printed - ours were printed months before the concert (there is dates on the tickets stating when they are printed!), while theirs were printed only days prior. If not deplorable enough to faithful fans, the tactics employed included a variety of verbal and physical threats, including the one of having us physically removed from the building by security if we did not cooperate. We flew thousands of miles, paid huge money for hotels, and spent $600 US per ticket for prime seats. Others paid more than $1,100 per ticket. Consequently, we, among many others, were under severe distress. Being ejected from the concert was not a risk we were prepared to take. Rather than spoil our trip entirely, we (and others) buckled under the emotional and potential physical pressure we were threatened with and were moved to poorer quality seats. Our original tickets were physically confiscated by security. Others were not so cooperative - when the opportunity arose they questioned "Mrs. B" (as known by the fan club), only to be called"assholes" by Jon Bon Jovi's own mother, who happens to head his fan club, a for-profit enterprise. First class all the way!?
While the above instance constitutes a highly ethical issue, it is also a legal one. As the original and legitimate ticket holders, we owned the right to our seats. Obviously Ticketmaster is aware of the occurrence, as they issued the 'reprint' of the tickets. Indeed the management of the band knew this was going on, as did their families and friends. So too did the security staff employed by Bon Jovi and Giants Stadium. Even Jon Bon Jovi himself endorsed these deplorable acts on his fans. As mentioned, we were informed by Bon Jovi management that Jon's mother told Ticketmaster that her son would not take the stage if they did not reprint tickets. Jon also gave a verbal endorsement, addressing our original section with his hands spread out, Jon exclaimed "You gotta' have connections to get seats like these!" Obviously being the legitimate ticket holder was not the 'connection' we needed.
I would like a sincere apology from the band and ticket reimbursement for me and the other Bon Jovi fans that were in attendance. >From reading internet sites it is obvious that this outrageous activity took place for both the Thursday and Friday shows and who knows how many others. How does Bon Jovi define a fan? Is it someone like myself that for the last 20 years has attended concerts, bought merchandise and spread a good word about their music or is it someone that buys a fan club membership?
Sincerely,
A cheated fan on behalf of more than 30 others
Kiera Corriveau, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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