[jedijovi]

Yesterday was such an amazing, whirlwind day. I had given up on the idea of going to Times Square since none of my friends wanted to go when I get a late night e-mail on the 4th from Michele (Charming my bell) from Backstage asking me to be her guest for the casted audience. I quick checked train schedules, checked my husband’s schedule and I was off and running early on the 5th. My husband was an absolute saint- he did everything he could to make the day for me so I wouldn’t have to worry about anything- Yay Mike! Anyway I met Michele and her sister at Penn Station and we were off to the Intrepid.

The Intrepid is a naval marine museum on the waterfront in NYC- very cool if you like planes and ships. If my husband would have gone that would have been his big thrill. We were given boxed lunches (food, hurray!) and told by the 1ota guys that our job was to be enthusiastic about all the acts and we would be 8 feet from the stage. Didn’t seem to hard. We were given wrist bands- orange for most of us, blue for people from radio stations and stuff, and blue and orange for the more beautiful among us who would be put in key positions. This was one of the running jokes all day. I could afford to have a sense of humor about it because there I was at 44, passing for under 35- what an ego boost- LOL!

We were finally taken in buses to Times Square with a police escort. We were put in a pit in front of the runway portion of the stage. There were football greats everywhere- Randall Cunningham, Deion Sanders, Phil Simms, Dan Marino. The whole scene was amazing. The NFL really went all out- it was a great party atmosphere. There was a tribute to the NYPD and FDNY and I spotted the NY cops behind our section on the street. I gave them a thumbs up in thanks and one of the officers came over and gave me a high five. I was so thrilled to connect with a real life hero. The opening acts were not my taste- DJ Scribbles (sp?) and Eve (though she had a Donovan McNabb jersey- go EAGLES!!). I kept chanting Go Eagles but I was the only Philly gal there and earned myself a few dirty looks. Eve sang also with Alicia Keys who decided that Princess Leia was a good inspiration for a hair do. Enrique was next and I must say he did win me over with his performance. His set included La Bamba which got us all rocking and he came over to a little girl who had waited all afternoon to give him a picture. That earned him points with this soccer mom.

OK, on to Bon Jovi!!! They came out early to do It’s My Life and Jon threw a football into our pit. It was mass bedlum. It hit me in the head (I don’t mind) and knocked Michele off her feet but she was ok. Finally security got the ball- probably didn’t want to see too many fights. Bon Jovi came back on at 6:45 to tape Wanted and Everyday for CBS and they showed the new video on the screens. Then the real concert began. To get this out of the way- yes, the men looked hot. Jon had on a white sleeveless shirt and jeans and he looked absolutely radiant. I had never seen him so close before but when he came out to the runway to sing to us he really is an amazing sight. His little flirtatious dances during Bad Medicine were something to see. But back to the music.

They started with Prayer and it occurred to me that this was the first time I had seen them do the rock version of this song since 9/11. The whole purpose of this event was to show New York City’s resurgence and to me to hear the rocking version of Prayer again was a sign that we were back to normal somehow. This was followed by Bad Name, Born to Be My Baby, and Just Older. I still get such a great feeling seeing Jon and Richie stand shoulder to shoulder during that song. Jon then talked about how 9/11 brought home the fragility of life and the need to live each moment. This was of course followed by Everyday. Jon was hugged by a woman who gave him a FDNY cap to wear during the song. Then came Undivided. Jon did a very moving hands in the
air speech about the lives lost and then went into this song. This song is stunning on the album- live the feeling is beyond words, especially to hear it in NYC. Bounce was next and the whole crowd was singing Bounce and jumping up and down- what a fun song! They ended with Sleep When I’m Dead then the Bad Medicine/Shout thing that I never get tired of at the end of the set. Then after a speech by Mayor Bloomberg, Jon came out solo to sing America The Beautiful while a large American flag was unfurled in the middle of the square held up by police and members of the audience. I confess welling up during this- feeling reflective of all that has happened in the last year.

After a cab ride, good bye to Michele and her sister (thanks again girls for everything!) I was on the train to home. My feet were sore and my heart was full. Now back to the “daily grind”.

[Kattitude]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great time. Good to hear the boys were in great form

Kat

[dianebonjovi]

What a great review! Thanks for posting.

[Honey]

Wow Val, sounds like you had an amazing time Thanks for sharing

[Becky]

I'm so happy for you being able to go! It sounds like an amazing event!

Becky

[Tanya]

Val, thanks for the review. Sounds like you had an amazing time, and you will have some great memories.

[NYluvsJBJ]

Thanks for posting!! It sounds like you had an amazing time!

[gypsy]

Val, sounds like it was a really great time. I wish the stupid tv had showed Jon singing America the Beautiful. There was just the briefest part of it as they were showing the credits on VH1.

[*SavageJovi*]

Glad you where able to go Val and that you had a great time Thanx for the review.

[Rae]

His little flirtatious dances during Bad Medicine were something to see.

I caught those little dances - reminded me of Slippery and New Jersey eras. Especially him twirling his mike stand and doing that little skippy thing. Didn't we have a conversation not to long ago on the board [bs]about things we missed seeing him do? I know that twirling his mike stand was one of them. Awwww! It must have been awesome for you Val - so glad you got the chance to go. Thanks for the great review about the music and they way they looked! I think both is very important!