Could Jon sell out stadiums under his own name?
 

I saw Rdkopper say in another thread that Jon can't sell out stadiums on his own while the band can so he's more likely to use the band name.

So it got me thinking. I completely disagree and would love a debate about this. Let's say Jon drops the band name and goes full on Jon Bon Jovi (Which to me is the honorable choice as David and Tico become more and more like session musicians with each album). I think Jon could still hit similar numbers, maybe a twinge lower, if he rebranded it under himself. No one is at the point where they know the difference anymore. Multiple music videos with only him, constant promo photos of just him and a declining interest from the world about the band, I really think he could pull it off.

If we were talking about selling out venues based on interest in band material vs solo material, absolutely people are going for the band hits. Would love some thoughts regardless though.

Not unless he (and his tour promoters) can afford to take a MAJOR hit on ticket prices.

Bruce Springsteen HAS a band, Jon Bon Jovi is IN one (whether Jon likes it or not). It is Jon PLUS Richie that is the core of the Bon Jovi "brand" (whether ANYONE likes it or not). And Bon Jovi has been a premium brand because of the endurance of their "blood on blood" brotherhood. If Richie goes, the brotherhood goes, too, and Jon closes out his career on the "C" list -- colleges, casinos, corporate events, county fairs, cruise ships, carnivals, cafes, coffee houses, and charities -- right alongside Ted Nugent, Bret Michaels...and Richie.

There's no need for anyone to wonder how Jon or Richie would do on their own -- since their very first solo albums, the evidence is all around in the form of the smaller venues they play and the extra high ticket prices Jon charges. And speaking of prices, don't forget that's there's a rotten economy going on. "Fanatical" fans may be willing to invest what's left of their discretionary income in seeing a Richie-less Bon Jovi live (again). But while "average person" fans may buy a Richie-less Bon Jovi album if they like it, would they be willing to spend what Bon Jovi usually charge for concert tickets?

It really comes down to whether the large venue promoters would see Jon alone as a gamble worth taking. I don't think his having Tico and Dave along will count for much -- if anything, Jon would have to push them even further into the background.

I think as long as he uses the band name, he'll be fine (a hit single, or at least a solid album would wouldn't hurt). I agree, the honorable thing to do is tour with his own name, but I really don't think he could sell out the types of places they are use to playing as a solo artist.

I can't really think of any other band to compare this situation to (similar status, etc), but I'll wing it. I think when people see "Jon Bon Jovi Live" they'll likely think, "He might play a couple Bon Jovi hits, but most likely he'll be playing his solo stuff and that new album that I have no interest in buying." Jon will be lucky if they remember that Blaze of Glory was a solo song.

If Jon uses the name Bon Jovi and hits the road without Richie, most die hards won't care too much (after all, Richie is the one that walked off mid tour - and if it's a solid album, we'll go) and most everyone else (the majority of the crowd) won't even notice that Richie's gone.

If people will pay to hear 2012 Jon sing 1986 Jon, I doubt anyone will have a problem with Phil X playing for Richie.

I'm pretty sure Jon did some stadium shows as a solo artist in Australia during his Destination Anywhere promotion.

This question is market specific but in the States, JBJ doesn't hold up like the Bon Jovi name does. It's like this with other bands as well. For example Vince and Motley are not one in the same.

I don't think Jon touring under his own name is a risk they are willing to take. Unless he had a real guitar player to help carry his name... Example, JBJ with Slash on guitar but that is even a long shot.

Think of it this way too... If he brings along Tico, Dave and even Huey, it really doesn't make sense to call it the JBJ band... If he totally goes solo with all different players, then the band songs will lose something with other people playing them. They won't sound like Bon Jovi, more room for mistakes, and much more work for Jon. He needs Dave. Not only for his keys but vocals and other things as well. It would be so much work for Jon to try and mold new guys into their sound. As much as Phil adds on certain things, it's obvious what he lacks on others.

Jon will not give up brand, it has nothing to do With loyalty to Tico and David. It's about making money, lots of money... be relevant. Jon is an egomaniac, and he likes to play for the big stadiums like Bono.

If Jon takes the new album as JBJ would be pleasantly surprised and grateful, because there would be a little honesty on your part.

I'm sure Dave can have great plans on Brodway and Tico wants to rest.

But the Vince/Motley argument doesn't stand up. Vince's name isn't Motley. You have to know the name of the lead singer of that band to really cash in on the association.

Okay maybe I'm being too broad on this argument. Let's talk about the States/North America. Joe Q.Public doesn't care who is in the band. It's strictly for the hits. Richie bailing and ticket sales still being strong prove that to the point where if Dave or Tico left I don't think it would stop ticket sales. If Jon's right hand man didn't do much, other than some diehards griping and boycotting, he could conceivably keep this going. Do I want him to? Absolutely not. I just don't think the band name means what it used to mean or what it means to us.

Probably not stadiums, but they hardly do that with the band name anymore either. Sure, the attendance is high, but those Bon Jovi stadium shows are very rarely sold out the past few years. So I don't see a major blow in that regard.

I could see JBJ solo playing venues like O2 arena, Ziggo Dome, MSG, Izod Center, etc. ONCE per tour and having lesss shows overall. And most of them I think would sell out just because JBJ = BJ in many people's eyes. So that's below what the 'band' name draws, but this the level that bands like Kings Of Leon, Maroon 5; so not 'Stones and U2' level, but very respectable.

The casual audience doesn't care about Richie. Jon is Bon Jovi.

Yeah Jon could easily fill those larger arena shows himself.

It's getting harder for the band to fill stadiums simply because they overkilled it in the last decade I think. But Jon could easily tour with the Bon Jovi name, no-one can stop him, it's his and his alone. So why wouldn't he?