My take on the past and future
 

After my long hiatus and time served, I’ve decided to check in to see what’s been going on. It seems as if time stood still because the very same topics are still being discussed. Instead of contributing to each topic individually, I decided to do one collective post so all topics could be covered in one shot. In addition, I’d like to provide my insight one this bands present and future.
I’d like to start briefly on Jon’s voice so I could just get it out of the way… Jon COULD still sing but his higher range is gone for good. I’m sure there is room for improvement but he’ll never get back to that once dominating voice he had in the 80s and 90s. When it comes to singing live, I don’t need his voice to be perfect. As some will disagree, Axl Rose made a career out of “twisted” rock vocals so when it comes to live RnR vocals, it doesn’t need to be like an X-Factor audition. To be honest, I wouldn’t even care if Jon went back to that 80’s raspy vocal because he at least showed passion. The main problem with Jon’s voice today is…. let’s face it…. It’s frucking annoying and irritating. It’s unnatural, it’s doesn’t sound real, his mic has an annoying eco to it, and he doesn’t even pronounce words correctly. On the flip side, Jon’s rendition of “It’s Only Make Believe” and even “Hallelujah” prove that he could still deliver a song decently if the range is a correct match for his voice.
Jon knows this tour was an absolute mess and he would never go through that level of touring again without Richie. Richie takes a lot of stress off of Jon vocally. When they harmonize together, Jon doesn’t have to sing as hard. Richie also provides a shield to cover Jon’s mistakes plus I think Jon is just more relaxed knowing Richie is there which results in a better vocal performance. The amount of songs and time Jon had to sing for on this past tour was just way too much for his pipes to handle. I seriously doubt we’ll ever get a tour like that again without Richie.
I would like to see these guys mix it up a little. Jon needs to go back into his catalog and pull out some surprises of songs that he could deliver. I only question Jon’s age when this band finally does reunites which frightens me. I see a huge difference from ’10 to ’13 in both appearance and vocals. I can’t even imagine what’s still to come. There are definitely little things he could do here and there that would help make a more satisfying tour. Example, If he got to the point where he couldn’t pull off his ballads and rock gems anymore, he could do an acoustic medley of them. Jon and Richie do a great version of NSG and I think they could deliver some nice harmonies with other songs as well. I have a bunch of different examples that I could provide which would have to be a separate topic in itself but my point is, it doesn’t have to end, they just need to find some new things to do. If he gets Richie back with the band and Jon works with a good vocal coach, shortens his set list, and gets a new mix of songs, we could still get a fun tour. By today’s standards Jon is still way too young to throw in the towel. The guy still has amazing stage presence and with a little hard work and change, we could get one last decent tour.
We basically got the same 3 albums in a row. If we took the best 10 songs from each, we might have a decent one but it’s evident that Jon is not writing the same amount of material that he used to per album. Obviously the lack of B-sides and Obie stating that there is not enough material for another box set proves that Jon is not writing his usual 40 songs per album. My guess would be 15, and he picks the best 12. This is something that I want to blame Shanks for. I think Shanks’ theory is to take whatever material Jon has available and beef them up with production. I don’t think these guys hear the same final versions that we do either. They are laying down each track on multi-million dollar recording equipment. It probably all sounds amazing track by track and when it’s all finally put together, their ears are focusing on something completely different. Shanks and Bon Jovi just do not go good together. HAND was ok and they should have parted after that. Something just doesn’t sound right with those songs. They are just way too manufactured or something. Even the Big and Rich song Born Again has that same Shanks sound. It’s taking something away from each song and making them all sound the same. A ballad should not have the same feel to it as a rocking song does and that’s how I feel about Shank’s production with Bon Jovi songs.
Bon Jovi does not need to call it quits just yet. Obviously Jon needs work it out with Richie. I won’t spend too much time here because I know there is another topic on this but all I will say is, I do believe Richie needed some time off with his kid but if he was making the music he wanted with tons of money rolling in, he wouldn’t have bailed. He had less than a year to go with this tour and then he would have been done for a while anyway. It’s not like he wasn’t working and traveling in support of other project. It’s all a bunch of shit.
Jon is still an effective lyricist but it would nice to see a darker edge with a stronger delivery. He could still be optimistic but he just needs to darken up the sound on his albums and work with a producer who is willing to push him in the studio. It’s evident that Jon could pull off a decent vocal in the studio if you compare the studio version of BWC to the live version. I don’t mind the studio tricks because most artists have been using them for years beyond years. We just need a fresh sounding Bon Jovi album once again. At this point, I’m sure Jon knows that he’ll never have a hit song ever again. He’s now an aged rocker and Bon Jovi are not going to fit in with anything going on in today’s music industry. I think if he just stopped chasing fads, he could at least satisfy his die-hards and once we start raising buzz, it could snowball into something good. When us die-hards start calling his music shit, the rest of the world will not think any better.
The problem with all of the above is, no one has the balls to tell Jon that he sucks and needs to change. Jon theory is, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. His last 3 albums and tours were both number 1 with modest record sales for today’s average. The record company people are the only ones who probably have the balls to say something but as long as Jon is making them money, they won’t say a word because they don’t care about Jon’s legacy. They just want the money. It’s like the Elvis movie trend. The first few were big hits and made money. Once the formula set it, they became a complete mock. Jon is going down that path with these albums and tour.
What to expect:
Jon needs a big break in the worst way and he’s finally willing to take it. I think we’ll get something nice for 30 years. I am hoping for another box set. If there is not enough newer material for another box (which I’m hoping there isn’t), I really want older material that wasn’t included in the first box set, cleaned up in better quality
Some solo work is definitely on the horizon too. Maybe an album, maybe some movie songs. I could see another ’97 / ’98 / ’99 trend coming. A Bon Jon reunion album / tour will happen in 4 to 5 years. These guys need a break from each other. I don’t think Jon and Richie will ever stop making music but this band is definitely on the brink. Jon will get to that point where we’ll no longer be able to sing his old hits anymore which will ultimately lead to the end. I give Jon until he’s 60 (maybe late 50’s) before he is no longer capable of singing any of his hits. After that he’ll just perform whatever project he is working on as a reinvented artist. He’ll end up doing some shit acoustically because that is his comfort zone.
After the last box set, he mentioned something like,” the first 20 years have been great and I’m looking forward to the next 20.” Ironically, he’s got 10 years left to hit that mark. Only time will tell if he does. Or they do….

Yeah, it's tough to say where they go at this point...

One of the big problems these days with Bon Jovi is Jon's ego and image. It shows in everything he does, including the band's music and their touring. It's no secret that the past several albums have felt "forced". How many songs have we heard that are similar to "It's my Life"? Being positive and living your life is always good, but some of these positive messages Jon tries to send in the music is just overwhelming to the point that it doesn't feel realistic. A lot of times, songs about struggling and hard times and some negativity is what people need the most because that's what they can relate to. But Jon can't go too deep into that kinda stuff anymore cause of his super clean and positive image.

I also feel like money (as it does with many artists) has had a huge influence in Jon's efforts. Think about it. Back in the 90s, Bon Jovi was big but they were still writing music to make statements and prove themselves. Jon's voice was awesome, the music was flowing and creative, things were just in place. Look at today. Jon has more money than he'll ever need, constantly sells out their tour dates, and will make more and more money without having to really try hard. It really takes that "drive" away from being a musician. That's why I believe Jon doesn't try too hard to get his voice in tip top shape anymore. Because why would he care? He's selling out shows regardless, why should he put in all that effort to getting his voice back together, especially at his age? Same with the music. Instead of really trying to put together an epic rock and roll album, Jon's just going through the motions and it's obvious not 100% of himself or the band is put into these recent records. I'm not downing them by any means, it's just something I feel to be true.

As to the band now.. I think they really could come back with a bang in a couple years. I'm not a voice expert and I know singing voices start to go with age, but I do feel like if Jon really gave it his all, he could get it in better shape. Definitely not prime Jon, but decent enough to give people their moneys worth. And the music..well..they just need to go back to their roots. Stop trying to be over positive and so optimistic and just write some good rock and roll songs. The band may be old, but they still have some fight left in 'em. This "break" that the band take will make or break them. If Jon doesn't get or keep his voice in decent shape, then 3-4 years of not really using it will really hurt. Hopefully he uses that time to get things together, re-discover what it takes to make some good music, re-unite with richie, go to a basement somewhere to write some tunes, and get a good album and tour together.

Problem in your Statement is that Jon acutally doesn't sell out tours anymore. Not this tour, not in 2011 and not before that. Stadiums that were sold out earlier (like Amsterdam) were far from sold out the last time they played there. Several blocks even didn't go on sale anymore (okay, this way you can lable a Show as sold out when in fact it's not). Shows have to move in to venues less than half as big as the original planned venue.

I think we all agree that this band needs a (longer) break but I doubt that it will happen because a) Jon wants to stay "relevant" and I don´t think that he will achieve that as a solo act and a few years unseen from the international scene doesn´t suit him.

and b) there are not in their 30´s & 40´s anymore. Tico and Hugh are 60 years old. If they indeed would take a 5 year break Richie also would be 60. And apart from the physical conditions I guess when you get older it won´t get easier to motivate yourself to travel the world again and again.

Some artists are able to do that. I´m not sure if Bon Jovi can. The clock is ticking and I think that Jon is aware of that. There aren´t many opportunities left to tour the world several times the way they did in the past.

I believe there will be a BJ Record for late 2015 and the Tour in 2016. With or without Richie. Everything else would be a surprise.

Now that Jon killed it this tour without Richie, maybe he'll try something big as a solo artist. Instead of Jon playing SSJ wanna be, maybe he'll get some real musicians and try something different.

I was watching part of a recent Billy Joel concert and Billy had a nice stage production with a bunch of real musicians. This included a horn section with back up singers. Bruce does something similar. I would like to see Jon do a solo show like that. Not a concert like he does with the KOS which is just a b rated SSJ concert.

I think the next Bon Jovi album depends on Richie. I just don't see Jon putting out a band album without him.

I dare to say that there will never be a Bon Jovi album without Richie on it. Otherwise Jon would've done that in '91. Instead he brought in a mediator so that they could work together again. Jon will try whatever he can to make it work with Richie.

No, then we'd get songs like Work For the Working Man. Talk about feeling "forced"! Jon never lived the lifestyle of a 'working man' so it's a joke to hear him pretend to relate through song. Having a charity that builds homes and feeds homeless people is great, but he's never walked a day in their shoes. I'm over the It's My Life/We Weren't Born to Follow/pick yourself up by the bootstraps message too, but it's more authentic coming from a guy like Jon Bon Jovi than a song about struggling hard times.

There is no passion anymore. The money making machine has overtaken the drive you mention. It's become all about the brand, the #1 tour, #1 album, never-been-done-before augmented reality app, blah blah blah rather than just writing damn good music and playing it live simply to share it with people. If Jon and Richie reunite, I think there's potential for some really great songs considering the emotions both of them have probably felt the past 8 months. They won't write an album full of songs about people dicking other people over, but I think there could be some deep tracks. I'm hopeful.

Couldn't agree more.... The core issue is the lack of passion. This can't be faked.

Also, the key word is hopeful and I've been "hopeful" since Lost Highway.

I just don't get how a once brilliant band falls into such a funk. It almost seemed effortless for them to be great at one point

Those of you who state lack of passion: Couldn't agree more. Richie basically admitted it. As to their ages - look at the Stones or even lets take the NYE Hawaii bash that Richie was a part of - Hagar sounded great, he's 66. Steve Tyler can still hit most of the notes. He's 65. Cooper will be 66 in Feb. It is inevitable that the voice goes weaker with age but it does not have to go... they need the "want to" to make it as best as it can be. Also, the one's that come to my mind are not doing mammoth tours and taxing their bodies and voices. The Stones limit the number - actually as far as tours go this year - BJ may have the official highest grossing but if you break it down to per show they are down the list with the Stones being number one at over 5M per show.

They need a new box set to stay in the lime light while taking a nice break. I think limited engagements after that. I'm still concerned about Richie, his press at the start of this was for crap. Some still claim (18 yr. old gushing on twitter said "wee bit drunk" with a pic even recently) it's drinking. I think his 8 year remark was in his way that it is ongoing battle but being handled? Wish I could just see for myself :D. To entertain at the level these guys go, you need to be healthy. Really appreciate Phil X - but for me - it's Richie's spot. I am thankful to see him doing more music related things, even small snippets, hope he's trying to find why he started to begin with. Learn to love it again. As to the be with my child, I do understand - could never afford it myself, there has to be balance however or we get lost in our child's lives. BTDT

Dang it, don't know why I care - it's a band, it's entertainment but it's part of our memories. I want more! But I want them whole and at their best again.