After asking Jon Bongiovi during the day about his musical influences, he listed names like Tom Petty, Little Steven, U2 and The Babys - not really heavy metal bands. Jon, however, admitted to listening to a lot of heavy metal as well.

- I get it that bands like Mötley Crüe have huge success and I want to know why. And besides, I have to have respect for bands like Twisted Sister who've done similar music for a decade without going with trends.

And after asking for more heavy bands to respect, Jon named bands like ZZ Top, Scorpions and KISS, all of whom Bon Jovi have opened for.

- We've learned a lot from those "old timers". Gene has been a real mentor of mine. Oftentimes he came to our dressing rooms and talked his head off - he know an amazing amount about music and the business.

- When I was a 12-year-old kid, I loved KISS. When we went out with them, I told Paul Stanley how much I loved him ever since I was 12. He told me to **** off. Maybe he got dizzy after realizing how much time had passed.

And when I look at Bon Jovi and their adventures on the stage of the Helsinki Culture House, I suddenly realize the KISS-influences. In And Out Of Love is like stolen off KISS' Lick It Up album. This grooves and booms, this is the American dream on a highway and all around the world! This is where the prodigal sons of the middle-classed families let loose!

Young and wired
Set to explode in the heat
You won't tire
Cause baby was born with the beat
Take you higher than you've ever known
Then drive you down to your knees
I pick you up when you've had enough
You been burned baby lessons learned

Text: Juho Juntunen
Pics: Harri Ahola

Originally published in Soundi 6/1985


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