bon jovi rollercoaster

ellie · #1 08-05-2008, 12:31 PM

apologies if this has been posted before... noticed this article in the guardian the other week (it's scathing as ever and I for one can't understand the significance or functionality of a poodle-shaped coffin but there you go...)

Quote:

Get on the rock'n'rollercoaster ride Johnny Dee feels queasy about Hard Rock Park, music's ultimate sellout Johnny Dee The Guardian, Saturday July 26 2008

Hard Rock Park is a newly opened, rock'n'roll theme park in Myrtle Beach, California. Paying homage to numerous rock legends in the form of thrill rides, it's also the latest example of brand extension - the marketing practice that began with Mars ice cream bars and now means that if Metal Hammer Magazine started offering us mortgages we wouldn't bat an eyelid (unless the rate was 666%).

For Hard Rock Cafe, a worldwide chain of eating establishments, it makes perfect sense. But what do the bands that have lent their names and music to the various rides get out of it? Well, cash presumably, but also another stab at immortality: long after Jon Bon Jovi has been buried in his poodle-shaped coffin and Living On A Prayer is no longer played on Planet Rock, some kid could be riding the Slippery But Wet coaster at the Hard Rock Park and the majesty that was Bon Jovi could change his life. No, I'll no longer work at the docks, he'll say to himself, I'll follow my dream and become a hairdresser.

While one can understand the willingness of Bon Jovi, the Moody Blues and Eagles to take part, the act that inspired the biggest coaster in the park is something of a surprise: Led Zeppelin. Here's a band that has protected its legacy for years: Page, Plant and Jones have resisted cashing in on their legendary status with hastily put together comeback tours, compilations or ice lollies. They've retained dignity. Now, though, this closely guarded heritage is to be represented in the form of Led Zeppelin: The Ride - a 150ft twisted steel rollercoaster with six inversions and a spiral over a lagoon that reaches a top speed of 75mph. The people of Hard Rock Park are delighted with the fact that the whole experience is synched to Whole Lotta Love - although two minutes of that involves watching a video in the queue.

Of course this all sounds like great fun. And possibly I'm being naïve in clinging on to a belief that rock'n'roll is about rebellion, freedom of expression and blowing marijuana smoke in the face of the so-called "man". Hard Rock Park merely confirms the truth that rock'n'roll is really about marketing, branding and buying chicken wings from the so-called "man".

This could only happen in America. Or possibly Dubai. Or Japan. It's impossible to imagine a British version. Although maybe the imagineers at Alton Towers could consider my idea for an Amy Winehouse-themed coaster which breaks down halfway round every time - and which, despite this failure, everyone exits saying how brilliant it is. Or how about Champagne Supernova: The Ride, in which passengers defy the laws of physics by slowly walking down a hall faster than a cannonball before being caught beneath a landslide? Magic. Britpop Village - it'll happen some day.

link to article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/jul/26/popandrock
link to park website: http://www.hardrockpark.com/

bjcrazycpa · #2 08-05-2008, 12:40 PM

As far as Bon Jovi, they have NOT lent their name, songs or album name to the coaster that is known as "Slippery When Wet" at the theme park. From what I understand, the park couldn't get premission to use the songs or likenesses from the SWW record. So, the SWW coaster has NADA to do with Bon Jovi.

deb

milomom · #3 08-05-2008, 01:49 PM

FYI -- Myrtle Beach is NOT in California. It's in South Carolina. BIG difference. Clearly facts aren't all that important to The Guardian and the author.

RS8MB0R8 · #4 08-05-2008, 02:03 PM

If you read the article carefully, there would appear to be no SWW coaster anyway. It just appears that the author seemingly has a bit of a grudge against Bon Jovi and merely used the band as an example to try and prove a point.

However, I cannot actually see what point he is trying to make..... is it that rock music is a business and hinges on branding?

Wow, breaking news!!! NOT!

Not so much a story fit for print, more a hollow and bitter rant. Maybe he should write a scathing attack about how Disney has turned the Pirates of the Caribbean into a money-spinning, adventure ride at its theme parks.

DevilsSon · #5 08-05-2008, 02:45 PM

wasn't there are Bon jovi rollercoaster in Disneyland Paris? Or It think there they regularly change themes for some rock rollercoaster and Bon Jovi was the theme for a period of time. Or I may very well be wrong. Anyway, since I love rollercoasters, I wouldn't mind going on a Slippery When Wet ride....

Goldsausage · #6 08-05-2008, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DevilsSon

wasn't there are Bon jovi rollercoaster in Disneyland Paris? Or It think there they regularly change themes for some rock rollercoaster and Bon Jovi was the theme for a period of time. Or I may very well be wrong. Anyway, since I love rollercoasters, I wouldn't mind going on a Slippery When Wet ride....

Nah there was only an Aerosmith ride, only thing I can think of that was Bon Jovi was a signed guitar and the Bounce Tour poster were on show in the waiting que.

It was a damn good frickin' ride though.

RSROCKS · #7 08-05-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjcrazycpa

As far as Bon Jovi, they have NOT lent their name, songs or album name to the coaster that is known as "Slippery When Wet" at the theme park. From what I understand, the park couldn't get premission to use the songs or likenesses from the SWW record. So, the SWW coaster has NADA to do with Bon Jovi.

deb

I was about to say this. I was just in Myrtle Beach for 3 weeks and I went to the Hard Rock Park. What Deb said is true. It's a shame because it was neat to ride the coasters of the artists who they tributed like the Eagles, Led Zeppelin, The Moody Blues (who I love-- don't know if anyone else likes them), etc.

Not sure I understand why they didn't do it either. It was great publicity fot the bands that did it. They sell your merchandise, they sell specialized t-shirts just for the ride themselves, as you're waiting in line they play your music and show videos and they also play the artists' music on the actual ride.

ellie · #8 08-05-2008, 07:27 PM

Well it's just another example of music critics snipping at bon jovi for no real reason... qu'elle suprise. It would be cool to go on a rollercoater synced up to a song though! And slippery when wet just begs to be a water ride, or even one that sprays water, doesn't it? But according to the park map, it isn't.
rubbish.
Perhaps that's why the band wouldn't agree!

zero_zero_UFO · #9 08-05-2008, 07:48 PM

what a shit that reporter is.
they get slated in an article that has actually squat to do with them except for the fact HRC have ripped the name of their album.

ahh well such is life being a bon jovi fan.

RSROCKS · #10 08-06-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ellie

Well it's just another example of music critics snipping at bon jovi for no real reason... qu'elle suprise. It would be cool to go on a rollercoater synced up to a song though! And slippery when wet just begs to be a water ride, or even one that sprays water, doesn't it? But according to the park map, it isn't.
rubbish.
Perhaps that's why the band wouldn't agree!

Yes it would, especially cause it was cool to go on the rollercoaster for the Eagles playin' "Life in the Fast Lane". SWW is indeed a water ride where it shoots water at you as well as dumps buckets on you as well. So the park map is right. The park itself is a bit of a let down though but it's cool to experience once. I hope they add more rides affiliated with bands.

bon jovi rollercoaster

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