FOX NEWS/By Mike Straka


EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — In these times of Orange Alerts and terrorist-induced
angst, sometimes a little "R and R" is just what the doctor ordered -- rock 'n'
roll, that is.

Enter rockers Bon Jovi, currently on their worldwide "Bounce Tour," performing
classics like "Wanted Dead or Alive" and new hits like the Grammy-nominated
"Everyday" (the band is up for Best Pop Performance at the Feb. 23 Grammy
Awards).

"This is our house, man," said Richie Sambora as he eyed the empty Continental
Airlines Arena at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, the band's home state, a few
hours before a recent sold-out concert. "We all have friends and family coming
tonight, and with everything going on, with the Orange Alert, we just want to
make everybody happy."

Bon Jovi, which has sold nearly 100 million albums, is composed of lead
vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, drummer Tico Torres and
keyboardist David Bryan.

Sambora said after so many years of being part of a band that travels the
globe, he's been exposed to many different cultures -- and he's no stranger to
terrorism.

"We did a concert in Berlin. First night, bomb scare. They clear everybody out
-- no bomb. Second night, same thing, except this time, they find a bomb," he
said. "Third night, same thing, but no bomb.

"The point is, we didn't let it stop us. All these countries throughout the
world have been going through the same terroristic stuff that that we're just
experiencing now. We're just not letting it stop us."

Security was tight at the New Jersey arena as backpacks, bottles and cans were
confiscated. Patrick Aramini, assistant vice president for security at the
Meadowlands, said bottles and cans are dangerous not only because they can be
used as projectiles, but also as containers for chemical agents.

"People are patted down as they come in," Aramini said. "We have the state
police, FBI, bomb squad and Hazmat teams on the premises, and we do a threat
assessment beforehand. At this time there is no threat on this venue."

Backstage, it was business as usual for the band and others who helped make the
show happen. One of those people is guitar tech Chris Hofschneider, who's been
traveling with the band for more than a decade.

"I blend with the set so nobody knows who I am," Hofschneider said, as he
stretched the strings on one of Sambora's guitars. Hofschneider was clad in an
outfit made of the same fabric used to line the back of the stage so the
audience won't notice him as he swaps out guitars for Sambora.

Meanwhile, Sambora played the opening riff to "Wanted Dead or Alive." "It looks
a lot harder than it is, really," said Sambora, who is married to actress
Heather Locklear.

The couple has a five-year-old daughter, whom Sambora is very protective of. "I
will be there with a shotgun when it comes time for somebody to come to date my
daughter," he said. "She will be the prettiest nun in the convent."

There's a bit of irony in those words from a star who's seen his fair share of
sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll.

Richie pointed out a spot backstage that he calls his little apartment during
the show. "This is where, in the old days, where all the good stuff used to
happen," he said. "Now it's more mellow. ... It's become about putting on a
good show, being a good husband and a good dad. You just grow up and it's not a
bad thing to grow up."

That newfound maturity has prompted the band to look beyond rock 'n' roll for
its own sake. Bon Jovi helped the nation recover after the Sept. 11 terrorist
attacks, playing benefit concerts for the FDNY at the Concert for New York and
the "Tribute to Heroes" telethon. But Sambora said they're not finished, and
doesn't rule out a performance for our troops overseas.

"If it comes up, we're definitely there, without a doubt," he said. "These
kids, the men and women, are out there on the front fighting the wars. What we
do is play music. Yeah sure, you ask me to show up, I'm showing up."



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