Did anyone predict this Jon we have today?

You don't like 'The Circle'?

You should've said...

1. Not really. I expected his vocals would degrade (like most rock singers), and never thought he'd have endless youth. As a person I didn't expect him to be this arrogant CEO, but that really doesn't bother me as long as the music is good. Problem is, the music is not as awesome as it used to.

2. Back in the TD/DA years, I finally realized that the band is capable of releasing patchy records. So that tempered my expectations - I wasn't hoping for consecutive home runs like SWW/NJ/KTF. Then again I never expected they would release crap as bad as What About Now.

3. I wasn't so surprised that the band is still going, more surprised that Richie is no longer with the band. And the band would be over before the next 10 years is up unless they come up with super awesome rock songs and from the last 3 albums I do not believe Jon is capable of pulling that off without Richie and Desmond. They better do a proper farewell tour.

I think we've seen where he is now coming for sometime, but if you were stood in Wembley Stadium in '95, I highly doubt you saw this coming.

I thought he'd go the same way as Jagger. Retaining a huge amount of charisma, with a good, but by no means peak singing voice and still churning out good music from time to time.

Instead what what we've got is a JBJ who has turned Bon Jovi into a brand, gradually since probably around the release of Bounce, peaking with a demonstration of pure corporate greed by releasing WAN as a vehicle to secure a world tour and make packets of money. A frontman who is leaking charisma and vocal prowess with every tour and gets his inspiration for recorded music, out of the financial section of the newspaper.

I always imagined Jovi to be like Rolling Stones and I think that was the vision they had for themselves. So it's sad they are not achieving this. Still can't get over their split don't think I ever will.
Jon on is own due to the split is now maybe a different person and performer. I thought he would be doing better with solo projects but maybe his heart isn't really in it anymore.

This is a great reply and pretty much sums it all up. I do think there is somewhat of a passion in parts of it, like the writing aspect but not the touring, promoting, videos, etc... Jon was never shy about admitting that he hated videos and promoting/interviews but he still did them regardless. Now with each new release, there are less and less promos and lack of video effort. When it comes to touring, that's no surprise. When the greatest front-man in game loses his instrument, it make sense why he loses his passion for it. It's all just strategic set-lists and trickery from start to finish... So yes, it went from a Band to a Brand. Throw in the fact that no one buys albums anymore and most people steal it all illegally anyway, so why bother putting in a full effort... Back in the old days, these guys would go away together for 6 months and not just make their albums but live them...

No need to write my own answer, this is exactly how I feel.

Same here. This answer has summed it all up for me.

I hate to say that this is exactly how I feel. You said it perfectly. I keep going to live shows in hopes that things change somewhere along the way.

Someone shared this on Twitter this am and I found it interesting to hear from someone other than "Jon" about a brand, the obligation whatever we want to view the business side.
Zappa sounds like he's in the same box - and I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. Balance can be hard to find when your the boss....

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