David's Relationship with Jon
 

This post is overdue because the thing that inspired it (see below) happened more than a year ago, but I was reminded about it when reading people's guesses about what each band member's "tell-all" books about the band would include in the thread about Richie's absence.

Since watching the When We Were Beautiful documentary, I was curious about what people think about David's relationship with Jon and his attitude towards the band. I think most of us were probably surprised that David seemed to be at least somewhat annoyed by the fact that Jon is the "quarterback" of the band and that it's not a democracy (and even more surprised that Jon allowed that part to be included). Another part of the documentary that caught my attention was the part where Jon discusses David's musicals and emphasizes how he's not involved at all. I'm sure his comments were well-intentioned, but they did seem somewhat condescending to me - implying that Jon previously assumed that David was incapable of having any success outside of Bon Jovi, almost referring to him like a child that has finally grown up and accomplished something independently. More recently, we all know about the incident where David played in the wrong key and the other interview from 2010 where Jon scolded David during soundcheck.

Anyway...I work as an usher at the Gershwin Theater (where Wicked is playing) here in New York. Last year, David came to see the show, and while he was waiting for his daughter (or whoever he was with) to come out of the restroom, I approached him and had a brief conversation with him. The first thing I said was how much I love Bon Jovi and how I have seen them live many times. He immediately responded, "Have you seen my musical, Memphis, yet?" without even acknowledging what I had said about the band. I hadn't, but I humored him with a brief discussion of the musical and then asked a few questions about the upcoming Bamboozle concert, which he answered kind of abruptly before going to his seat.

First of all, he was very nice to me, so I don't want to imply that he was rude or trying to avoid conversing with a fan. Second of all, I know that the fact that I work in a Broadway theater may have led him to assume that I was interested in his musical. Nonetheless, I was left with the impression that he was disappointed - maybe even annoyed - that I recognized him as a member of Bon Jovi rather than the composer of Memphis and that he was much more excited to discuss his musical than his role in the band.

I was wondering what everyone thinks about this. David honestly seems to be enjoying himself on stage more than anyone else in the band - always with a huge smile - but it seems that perhaps Jon doesn't give him enough of a role in the band or that he prefers not to be known as "the keyboard player of Bon Jovi."

I think they're very good friends, especially since I've heard of two times when David was having marriage trouble and he was living with Jon until things worked out/decisions were made. Once was right after the twins were born and then there was a few years ago when things went south with April. Considering David could easily afford to stay in a hotel, rent an apartment, or buy another house anywhere in the world, he had options besides staying with Jon but chose to be with his friend.

I don't think David wanting to be recognized in a theater environment as a composer of a musical in any way indicates a problem or dissatisfaction with the band or with Jon. He's been around the longest. If he had a problem with Jon he could have left more than 30 years ago. He chose being in a band with Jon over Julliard and I don't think he's ever regretted that.

They seem to be good friends and their families have vacationed together. Jon was at his daughters bat mitzvah and I don't know if the other members were as only Jon was mentioned in the media article. That being said, David loves his side career. I recall an article where the director of Memphis(?) was being interviewed and said that he was talking to David and had mentioned that since Jon was a singer/actor, maybe he could be in the play. He might have been joking but David responded emphatically that it would be a bad idea and not to go there.

If I were David, I'd hate Jon Bon Jovi. I remember the interview where he basically says: "ahh, we've only given Dave song writing credits for the sake of it". Not to mention all the examples in the OP. I'd be surprised if there was anyone not hating Jon Bon...

The whole 'ohh, he's been around for 30 years, he's free to go' blah blah! I know people who have been working for Goldman Sachs for 30 ****in' years, haven't enjoyed a single day. But it's difficult to turn down those amounts of money. Even if you're already filthy rich. And then a promotion comes and you stick for another 3-4 years, and so on and so forth.

Keith and Mick HATE each other (do they even speak?!) yet they are both in the Stones because they think it's something greater than just the two of them. So the whole 'he would have left if blah blah blah just makes me throw up deep inside').

They may have been friends some time long ago. I doubt they have much in common now, given how Jon has turned into an annoying egomaniac that deserves a good smack in the face. But that's just my opinion.

I think David - very much like Richie - when their focused on a solo effort away from the band the last thing they want to talk about is the band. I can understand that, it makes sense.

I've absolutely no reason to believe David and Jon aren't still the best friends they were 30 years ago.

I'm sure David and Jon aren't the same friends they were 30 years ago but I don't see why they wouldn't still be friends today.

What I find odd about David is that he seems to really dislike meeting fans. I've had it happen to me, and I've read about it quite a few times with other people. Clearly "David Bryan" isn't a household name, one would think he'd be happy to be recognized by fans since the only ones who know him are diehards.

They have known each other since 16 yrs old, longer than 30 years.

They are good friends and away from the band, they are the two who see each other the most. Both live in NJ, both have children around the same age of each other. They vacation together, Jon was at David's 50's birthday party last year. I saw no pictures of Richie or Tico there. On the Circle tour, there were videos of David and Jon at dinner and even on this tour, when Jon met President Clinton, David was there with him. David is also close to Jon's extended family. Jon's cousin is Godfather to his own children and he was also Best Man at David's wedding to Lexi.

Maybe the fact that he was at the threater for his show is why he only wanted to talk about the musical. If you had seen Richie at a solo show for the ATLM, do you think he would have wanted to talk about the circle tour or upcoming Bon Jovi CD? No he would have only wanted to talk about his solo CD and I wouldn't blame him.

Well he was at a theater, yes, but it wasn't for his musical, he was attending a different one.

In my own experience, I ran into David the day after the 2 Dublin shows last tour, in the airport. He was standing around just waiting, and there wasn't a soul around. My mom, my sister and I (all wearing Bon Jovi shirts so obviously we were at the concerts) noticed and said "Hi David!" and he waved his hand at us to shoo us away and went out of his way to run into an elevator.

Well, if he was there enjoying a show himself he'd even less want to talk about business when he was having his own downtime.

But David does seem to avoid the fans - once in Amsterdam both he and Tico hid on a canalboat whilst some of us were hanging around. Richie seemed pissed off and just said "not today guys" but Heather seemed to want to say hi until he dragged her off.

Just as well really - I never got the fan stalker thing and the whole experience made me feel kinda uncomfortable and embarassed.

I had a very different experience with David. He did a small promo show for his first (and very funny) musical The Toxic Avenger. Paul (my husband) and I were invited since we donated to the theater.

After David played and sang a few songs on the grand piano he took questions and then signed stuff. One question from the audience was if he still sang with "that guy" he had been with. David was very emphatic about being part of the Bon Jovi band and that (at that time) he had never missed a show. He spoke very highly of Jon and their longtime friendship. This was in May of 2009.

When I got my CD signed I told him that I was a big Bon Jovi fan and he was as gracious as he could be. I also told him that I loved his Toxic Avenger songs, especially as played and sung by him. He seemed to be able to mix both worlds just fine.

I also met him (and the rest of the band) at the Bon Jovi CD signing at Best Buy in New York City. I complimented David on Memphis which I had just seen and he just lit up. He was very happy to have his accomplishment noticed. This would have been 2010 right about when The Circle came out and before the Tony's when Memphis won best Musical.