What's next?

If that’s how you feel, shouldn’t you call it a day in being a fan and not demand or insist that they should stop creating what they want to it stop bringing joy to the people who see them on tour?

When I get tired of a TV show and think it’s gone in the wrong direction or lost whatever I liked about it in the first place, I stop watching. Same for musicians. It doesn’t hurt me if the things I used to like keep going without me.


Also, I think Jon would retire before he did an anniversary tour.

Hope Jon takes time off and gets professional help to get his voice back to 2010 levels.

Isn't he embarrassed to go out on stage and fail to sing like he does now?

for art's sake... nothing would satisfy me more than seeing Jon call it a day. It may be selfish but it's honest.
I finally get why the KTF/these days/Crush period felt so exciting. up to that point (slippery, new jersey included), BJ really felt like a band. It's ironic, Bon Jovi has always been one of those bands where the majority of vanilla fans really believe it to be a solo act. That's always pissed the rest of us, right ?

Thing is, we all knew it WAS in fact, a band, even if, contractually, Jon was the CEO.

But let's move past the business side of things.
I was watching a video of the band winning some award back in 1995 and hell, they walked in and accepted that prize like a band. Oddly enough, I was watching a video of the band performing a short version of HAND back in 2004/05 with Shanks on rhythm guitar (this was probably before Bobby joined). Someone commented 'John Shanks ruined this band' - and to an extent, it's true.

I'm not blaming the guy. He is a hired gun, a very good musician, producer and engineer. I wish I were in his shoes ! - But from 2005 onwards, Richie and the guys really stepped down from their creative roles. Shanks became Jon's sidekick and that was that. Their sound changed dramatically and so did their dynamic.

Bounce was no by no means a great record (I felt, at the time, that it destroyed everything Crush had built up to that point) but it still felt like a band effort.
BJ were always a commercial/radio-friendly driven act but it never felt as polished and lifeless as it did up until the late 2000s.

Richie is not coming back folks and I think Jon is more interested in helping his boys becoming entrepreneurs and building houses than in making records that matter. Nothing wrong with that. If they step down now, they will do so in a blaze of glory (pun intended), considering they did one last performance with Richie and Alec on the night they received the award they've always deserved.

So, what's next ? I vote on calling it quits. But that's just me.

I really dont see a point in comparing past with present,if they can satisfy some minimum like a band it is ok for me,they are like band,playing wise,great for today standards in music,all old bands are,you can see that -metallica,maiden,guns,whitesnake,U2,foreigner,purp le,aerosmith etc.
Only problem is Jons voice,for someone is solid, for someone shot,but when you get the whole picture from the show it is not the most important thing to get good times and enjoy the show.

The problem is that although Jon says he don't want to be an anniversary act (there s a better term for this but I forgot) - they indeed insist on carrying all the legacy of the past on their shoulders, hence in every concert we have to listen to prayer, wanted, bad medicine, it's my life, you give love a bad name, born to be my baby, some ballad like Bed Of Roses, and then all the recent "hits", lost highway, we weren't born to follow etc..

With this band and this Jon I dont think it is very cool to tour on this music anymore.Maybe a Rock In Rio every 2-3 years is ok. Otherwise I would prefer a switch in style, some more original stuff and anything that fits Jon's personality and capabilities at the moment. And go around playing theaters, it is nice also. For the sake of art, as mentioned before.

You probably meant 'nostalgia act'?
I guess that's also one of the reasons we still get stuff like LH, WLOL, Crash, ILTT etc. all the time. Jon wants to proof in some way that they aren't a nostalgia act yet. Which they actually are, at least outside of the hardcore fan base. Most of the older rock acts are, but pretty much all the others don't try to deny that so desperately.

I am no longer a fan of the band, well, not in this current format sound and state.
If the people who have seen them like what they see thats great for them.
Theres a reason they didnt come to Europe and I honestly believe (and Americans dont take this wrong way) we are a more demanding crowd and JBJ cant deliver it anymore. He knows he'll get lynched bringing these recent performances and cruddy set lists to Europe.
I personally dont see anyone who has like the band for the last 20+ years can enjoy what they see and hear from this shambles.

Using your TV show theory Ill go back to the first 6 series which made me want watch it every day. Like poor later series of classic TVs progs I hope they get cancelled.

I would love to see a commemorative edition of Slippery When Wet with all the unreleased demos and a lot of extra material, something like the launch of the Appetite for Destruction 2018.

Imagine this:

CD1 The Album
Let It Rock
You Give Love a Bad Name
Livin' on a Prayer
Social Disease
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Raise Your Hands
Without Love
I'd Die for You
Never Say Goodbye
Wild in the Streets

CD2 Unreleased Songs and Demos
Edge Of A Broken Heart
Borderline
Out Of Bounds
Game Of The Heart
Lonely Is The Night
Deep Cuts The Nife
Never Enough
Id Die For You (Demo alternative Lyrics)
Never Say Goodbye (Richie on Vocals)
Wanted Dead Or Alive (Acoustic Studio Version)

CD3 Live show from 1986-87 Era.
I do not know what concerts of that year has in the Vault, I hope they keep some good first leg shows, when Jon's voice was in shape. But, even if it's not like that, they could release a remastered of Cincinnati full show, I love that performance.

CD4 Soundchecks and alternative mix.
Remember Only Lonely live soundcheck launch as bonus track from Tour Edition 2010? Now imagine others soundchecks of 1986-87. And maybe Accompanied of some new remixes...or material that we do not know exists.

*Booklet
with curiosities and images never seen.


It would be great to see this come to light. I would be really happy.

You are wrong,this is your opinion,not majority. I am fan over 25 years and I like it,it is not 92-96 level of playing and singing but its good enough.
My theory why they didnt come to Europe this year is probably too many big bands touring Europe this year-Metallica,Guns n Roses,Maiden,U2.
They should do arena tour in Europe next year or just one stadium concert per country.

As I said good for you....
So you’re saying they can’t compete with the big boys anymore?
I saw them in 03 in Hyde park pulling in 103,000 people on the same weekend as Glastonbury. Would never happen now unfortunately .