Livin' on a prayer

The Norman Transcript

Pair came from different backgrounds, corners of the world to see their favorite band

By Tony Pennington

Transcript Staff Writer

When radiation treatments stole Becky Miller's strength, it was music that flowed from her ears to her legs, energizing her body with each stride. The beats and rhythms pushed the breast cancer survivor and Norman resident to the tune of more than 400 miles.

Thousands of miles away in Donetsk, Ukraine, teenager Tatyana Konovalova picked up an album by chance and found the lyrics to be powerful and provided clarity to many of her problems.

Two individuals at very different stages of their lives found inspiration and motivation within the same band. And last Saturday, they were there at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City. Perhaps cheering louder than most for the musicians that have given them so much. For every run and every hurdle made smaller by carefully crafted lyrics, they were there to see Bon Jovi.

There is no mistaking the popularity of Bon Jovi. The '80s "Hair Band" carry-overs have sold more than 100 million albums and continue to pack arenas. While the announcement of a Bon Jovi concert would drive fans to the venue by the thousands, the band from New Jersey was able to bring two fans together.

Tatyana, 16, arrived in the United States last year as part of the U.S. State Department's Future Leaders Exchange Program. The Henderson family of Arnold, Mo., soon found out Tatyana wasn't so unlike Americans her own age.

"She had been here two or three weeks, and she found a concert in Wisconsin," said Margaret Henderson.

"She was like 'let's go,' and it was the next day."

The Hendersons would soon learn if Bon Jovi was playing, Tatyana's mind was working. The music may have driven her host family mad, but for Tatyana there were answers to be had.

"I can feel that in a song, I know the solution to the problem," she said of her listening habits. "Jon ( Bon Jovi) helps me."

If she has troubles with her friends, classes or homework, it's Bon Jovi or Jon to be exact that pulls her through.

"The other guys are great, but out of most of the people, I like John," she said. "In my mind, John is amazing."

It seemed the "Amazing Jon" had powers even the Hendersons didn't understand. Tatyana learned of the concert in Oklahoma City and wanted to go. Margaret, formerly of Norman, knew she could make it work. Two tickets were purchased, but Tatyana's best friend Melannie couldn't attend. Margaret asked her mother, Libba Smith, of Norman, if she knew any Bon Jovi fans that would act as a chaperone. Jon's magic worked again as Libba's search turned up Becky.

Four years ago, Becky, 55, fought and won her battle with breast cancer. After seeing Jon on the TV show "Ally McBeal," she took an interest. John helped her disappear into her clay-working class.

"When I would do my clay and listen to Jon," she recalled. "I would get into the zone and become oblivious to the universe."

But for the lady whose slow gear is "90 mph," Bon Jovi would become something more. The avid runner worked the band into her jogging music, and it soon replaced old favorite ZZ Top. It was music that didn't allow her to feel sorry for herself. Music that set her free.

"It gave me something else to think about," she said. And as the music pumped, she got into step with the song.

"I'm out there with the wind on my face, and all I'm thinking about is 'You give love, a bad name.'" At her last count, Becky had passed the 1,000 mile mark.

Saturday was the first Bon Jovi concert for both Tatyana and Becky. And maybe it was fitting that the two had the opportunity to attend the show together. And when the music is over, Becky will start in on the next 1,000 miles, but Tatyana may have a harder time adjusting.

"Maybe I won't sleep at all after the concert," she said Saturday hours before the show.