For me, the best version of KTF this year so far:
https://youtu.be/_ouRGTAnRh8
Yes, I know Jon's voice doesn't sound particularly impressive. Yes, I know Richie's not there. But goddammit, the energy level is high for 2017 - Jon was on fire in Toronto, that's for sure.
https://youtu.be/5ECE6YLisXY
Also, this must be one of the best post-2k versions of LYHOM (from Toronto night #2). No kidding, as while Jon often sounds forced and kinda breathless, the "Lay my hands on YOOOOOOUUUUUU..." at 3:28 tells me one thing that I'm extremely happy to be aware of. It's this:
Jon's still got it. He may not be able to display it throughout a three-hour show anymore, but it's still there - he just has to work harder than previously to pull it off. The ol' muthahumper can still sing.
The South American leg of the THINFS tour is just about a month away from now. I'm 100% sure most of you are going to have a great time (I can't attend any of the shows, unfortunately, but I'll be checking out + commenting the PBPs), even though Jon's vocals probably won't match the level of September/October 2010 in any case. Let's face it: the guy has had his fair share of many kinds of problems during the last four and a half years. He's also not going to get any younger, and while a 55-year-old man is NOT *old* by any means, he's also NOT a spring chicken anymore and will never be able to match the physical/visual, let alone vocal, intensity he used to deliver constantly and consistently even as lately as in the early 2000s. Jon's heyday is definitely far behind, and being the extreme perfectionist we all know he is, he'll probably call it quits himself when he thinks he's not up for singing in public anymore, but then again, maybe he'll find other ways of displaying his abilities. Maybe he'll start acting again? Who knows. But for now, I can definitely appreciate his vocal struggles, as I know he keeps on trying just to make us fans forget about our everyday worries and step on the time machine to have the time of our lives.
Bon Jovi as a band will also probably be buried within 5-10 years. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised at all if this was their last big tour. All the guys are in great physical shape currently, but remember that Tico is starting to be in his mid-60s and has struggled with his health during the last couple years. Hugh is in his late 60s already and, unfortunately, will probably retire within a few years. John Shanks isn't only the second guitarist of Jovi - he's a successful record producer and has to get himself time to support other bands than BJ as well. Dave's got his Broadway things besides BJ. Phil X also has his own band, and while he's probably going to be the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi as long as the band will keep on going from now on, I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if the guy wanted to do something else as well.
Let's enjoy the rest of Bon Jovi's career as much as possible and remember that even rock gods are only human. They probably won't give us so bad of a show on this tour that our fandom will end because of it.
So, as a conclusion, be grateful that the band is still here and, most likely, about to kick some asses next month.
As JBJ sung in Sydney 2010:
"Someday I'll be saturday night.
I'll be back on my feet, I'll be doing alright.
I gotta tell myself to shine again, get on the floor and dance again.
Stand in the light again... it's alright.
And it's worth the fight - I'm alive.
I gotta say: someday I'll be saturday night.
You're gonna hear my voice!
Saturday night.
You're gonna hear my name!
Saturday night.
I'll be okay.
Saturday night.
It's alright, it's alright.
Saturday night.
Alright, alright.
Saturday night.
Someday.
Some way.
(Scream)".