Who are the biggest fans?
 

Why is it that there are quite a few examples on this board of people following the band round Europe, by no examples of people following them round the US and Canada?

This is mostly an international board. Go to backstage or another American board and see how many people follow them around. I have seen them 3 times this past month, and will see them 7 times over the summer. And that's a low amount of shows compared to some of the diehards. I guess it all depends on where you look for your information....or maybe some people don't broadcast that information like others. It's impossible to answer your question.

Not only is this a primarily international board, logistically, following the band around Europe can be percieved as somewhat easier given the size when compared to US and Canada. It's more expensive to cover all the ground spread across the US... that could be a reason. But honestly, there is no way to determine who is the biggest fans. That's fruitless. It has zero to do with how many shows you've seen or if you Deadhead around with the band.

I can speak for myself and tell you that the reason I don't follow them from city to city is that I live in the Southeast where the states are quite large and major cities are far apart--and the band doesn't even play in a lot of the Southeastern states. They haven't played in Mississippi, Alabama, or Louisianna since 1989. They haven't played in Arkansas since 1993. They did play Nashville this time, but that was the first show there since 1995. Some of our states are as big as or bigger than European countries. It just not a hop, skip, and a jump to get to another show. I mapped out the closest summer dates and they are:

Cincinatti: 670 miles away (one way)
Indianapolis: 710 miles
Tinley Park, IL: 750 miles
Columbus, OH: 791 miles
Bristow, VA: 938 miles

The only one that would be considered "Southern" is Virginia which is the furthest away of those dates!

I think it's pointless to compare who's the bigger fan too. But if you did want to get into a qualitative discussion--who's the "bigger fan": the person who travels 1200 miles through 4 states to get to ONE show, or the person who sees them 7 times in one tour but sleeps in their own bed after each show?

Becky

I don't think you can judge how "big" of a fan someone is by the number of shows they've seen. Like Becky said in her post above, the boys don't make it to the southeast very often so it's hundreds of miles for us to travel to a show. Not to mention it's very expensive to travel in the states. We don't have a train system like Europe. I don't have the money to fly all over and driving from one show to another just doesn't appeal to me. Plus, I'm not wealthy enough to take off that much time from work and still be able to afford to travel all over the place. It would cost me several hundred dollars for each show when you figure in travel, room, food, the ticket to the show.......

On a personal level, while I enjoy seeing Bon Jovi live, I don't know that I would want to see them that often. When I get the opportunity to see them live, it's a very VERY special time for me. It's something I look forward to immensly and talk about for months after. I don't know if after seeing numerous shows on one tour, how "special" it would be for me anymore. Maybe it would still be, but, I wouldn't want to take the chance. I got the chance to see them twice this time and I'm content with that. I'd like to see a stadium show, but Virginia is the closest gig and that's a 16-18 hour drive for me.

I'd agree...... I do consider myself a big fan, but I/ve only been to 4 shows, plus two this summer (june). Still, I saw my first gig when I was 11, which I think is reasonably impressive (Main Road 96)..... Plus, being a student I've only actually had money for the past year, and most of this has gone on instruments, so I haven't had much more to spend on concerts..... Plus Bon Jovi always tour during exam times.... last time I probably would have got down to at least another show, but it just coudln't be done because of exams..... I killed myself getting to MK.,....

Plus, as good as Bon Jovi are, I'd sooner see 5 bands once, than one band 5 times..... This goes for all bands.... even Emerson, who I could watch 24/7! I like a little veriety in shows, and I think after 2 or 3, I'm starting to think that going to this show means I can't go to see Yes, or Deep Purple, or Wakeman, or Gabrial, or Springsteen, or Nile Young or Iron Maiden who are all on at roughtly the same time (Im not going to Nile Young or Maiden becasuse of so many gigs :( ).

we do have a good train system yes, but have you ever heard about the prices? it's ridiculously expensive! many of you seem to have a wrong impression of the "small and convenient" europe. its not like we can see 2 or more different shows and drive back home after each one. even for us it costs several hundred euros for one show, if its not in the city you live in. (at least for me, maybe not in england ;))

No, it costs about 100 POUNDS to do one show if it's quite far away from your home city...... Unless you do what I often do, which is to wait in a dangerious train station, deserted but for a few drunken skin heads untill the morning trains....scary!

Actually, I calculated and it would cost me atleast 400€ to go to the Hyde Park gig. That´s not very cheap.

Becky, people like Jovian for example from Finland have to drive at least the same distances to go to a show as you, probably more. I'm lucky enough to live in Germany which is located in the middle of Europe so the farest I have to drive are around 8 to 10 hours by train for the concert in Zurich. The other concerts are between 2 and 6 hours by car from here (one way).

Not everyone can afford this or has the time for this because of work or family. Someone for sure can't say that the Number of concerts makes you a bigger fan.

Touring are my hollidays. I didn't make any "real" hollidays for years so I spend the money that others spend for 3 weeks on the beach for my tours.