Big hair is gone, but Bon Jovi still stages big show

04/16/03

KYLE O'BRIEN

Arena rock is not dead, a fact Bon Jovi proved Monday night with a hit-laden, two-hour show for a shrieking and adoring audience at the Rose Garden. BON JOVI

Who would have thought that Bon Jovi, of all bands, would survive the downfall of arena rock -- that '80s heyday of big hair, dorky costumes and flashy shows? Certainly the group's loyal fans stuck beside him, and now with a new career resurgence, Jon Bon Jovi and his loyal band are back playing and selling out arenas all over the United States.

Thankfully, the hair has been trimmed and the costumes have given way to sleek, modern duds. But the music still sounds best in an arena full of screaming fans.

Bon Jovi knows how to work a crowd, too. His charisma, movie-star good looks and charming smile made the many women in the nearly sold-out Rose Garden cheer and shout, and with every shake of his hips in skintight blue pants, the crowd responded with squeals of delight, sometimes to deafening effect.

The show was filled with everything that arena rock shows should have: multiple lights and lasers bouncing off the walls, big video screens (shaped like satellite dishes, an image off the group's latest album, "Bounce"), booming speakers, audience singalongs, and plenty of melodic hits.

Bon Jovi delivered on all fronts, cranking through hits both past and present.

"Living on a Prayer" started with Bon Jovi singing a cappella, letting the crowd join in before the band kicked up the volume. Even jaded men who, no doubt, were there to please their girlfriends, got caught up in the moment, singing the familiar chorus along with the band.

The band plowed through favorites like its first hit "Runaway" to '80s faves "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" to the latest VH1 track, "Misunderstood," which came off more gutsy and less sappy than the studio version.

Guitarist Richie Sambora provided the musical flash for the group, with fiery guitar solos and precise, big chords. He also showed off a pretty decent voice, taking the lead on "I'll Be There for You." His rough-hewn vocals added depth to what is essentially a stock power ballad.

Keyboardist David Bryan rounded out the sound as he hopped between piano, synths and backing vocals. Drummer Tico Torres kept a big, solid rhythm throughout, and bassist Hugh McDonald, looking a bit like Chevy Chase with a guitar, held down the low end.

"Raise Your Hands" proved an anthemic closer, and as the lighters came out for an encore, the group appeased the masses with a fist-pumping version of "Bad Medicine," which seemed to cure the audience's ills, even if just for a brief arena-rock moment.

Johnny Rzeznik and the Goo Goo Dolls were a fitting opener, playing their "Beverly Hills 90210"-friendly acoustic-meets-power pop favorites, like "Here is Gone," "Iris," "Slide" and "Dizzy Up the Girl."

Kyle O'Brien: c/o The Oregonian A&E, 1320 S.W. Broadway, Portland, OR 97201.