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Over time, jaded rock stars come to take their fans for granted, right? Not Jon Bon Jovi. Last Friday night, he and his band were performing on a floating stage in Sydney Harbor for thousands of Australians, three of whom, apparently overcome with excitement, dived in and swam toward them. Two ultimately obeyed orders of the event staff to turn around and climb back out of the water. But the third made it to the stage, where Bon Jovi welcomed him aboard. For his trouble, the offender faces prosecution and a fine, which the musician promised, "we're gonna pay for him." Groused an unhappy police spokesman: "The laws are there to protect your safety.... Young revelers shouldn't be encouraged by anyone to break them."

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Tuesday, December 17, 2002 9:5:12 p.m


Bon Jovi to pay fan's fine

SYDNEY, Australia - US rock star Jon Bon Jovi will pay any fine slapped on a fan who plunged into Sydney Harbor and swam to a floating stage where he was performing with his band.

On Friday the 32-year-old fan swam with two women toward the stage being used by Bon Jovi and his band members for a free concert in Sydney’s Darling Harbor.

The two women got out of the water when asked by security staff but the man continued on to the stage where Bon Jovi helped haul him out to a huge ovation from the 20,000 crowd.

A spokeswoman said the swimming fan would be charged with breaking laws. That means he likely will be fined, but it was not immediately clear how much he would have to pay.

“We’re gonna pay his fines,” Bon Jovi told reporters late Saturday. “We’ll deal with it for him.”

Police were not impressed with his generosity.

“The laws are there to protect your safety along with the safety of others,” a spokesman said. “Young revelers shouldn’t be encouraged by anyone to break the law.” AP

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You know 'em, you love 'em ...

What a guy! Jon Bon Jovi says he'll pay the fines of a fan who plunged into Sydney Harbor and swam to a floating stage where Bon Jovi was playing a free concert. The cops are booing that one. ...

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