New Classic Rock Debate: Bon Jovi – Should We Care?
Should anyone in the rock world actually bother with Bon Jovi anymore?
Have they moved so far beyond our horizons that there’s as much rock conviction in their blood as there’s air in a vacuum?
Once again, Classic Rock gives both sides of the argument.
Today, Malcolm Dome gives his reasons why we should still bother with Bon Jovi. Tomorrow, Dave Ling takes the opposite view. So, take it away, Malc… and try to convince us that Jovi are still Runaway rockers.
Have you noticed how many ‘former’ Bon Jovi fans have been getting irate over Jon’s appearance recently on The X Factor? A lot of those who claim they don’t care about the band anymore have been working themselves into a right old lather.
You have to ask yourself why they appear to be so angry. If you’ve given up on Jovi as a credible rock force, what is your problem? Just shrug your shoulders, walk away and leave it alone. But the reality is that most people who loved Bon Jovi even into the early 1990s, but now find them no more than stadium pop bores, actually want to be proven wrong. They are still rooting for Jon and the lads to come riding through with another glorious record, one to rival Slippery When Wet or New Jersey.
I was probably among the last to finally lose patience with Bon Jovi. I would defend every album, because there was nothing wrong with the band taking different turns, trying fresh ideas. But, after seeing them at Twickenham Stadium last year… sheesh, it really was vacuous, showbiz nonsense. Jon’s sincerity was about as believable as Cristiano Ronaldo clutching his head after being tapped on the ankle. The band appeared to have been reduced to a secondary role, as the singer’s backing musicians, and the set was aimed at the 40-something housewives, those who used to scream through their knickers in 1986 and are still doing so. The mighty rock band I once knew and loved were gone… but forever?
All of that sounds like I don’t actually have any interest. Yet I still do. I’ve played new album The Circle and it isn’t all that bad. By no means a classic, but the band’s rock sensibility still whispers. It should be a roar, but it hasn’t totally gone. To claim Jovi are victims of their own intentions might be too naive, although…well, they are.
Everyone recognises Richie Sambora as a true guitar giant. Tico Torres, when given the freedom, is as heavy a drummer as any, and David Bryan is an inventive keyboard player. The problem is that, since the band reconvened in 1991 after a brief hiatus, to decide whether there was any sort of a future for the collective, they’ve drifted ever further away from their rock roots. I doubt it’s been a conscious decision on either side, but the band and their diehard audience of old got divorced because neither had the will to carry on the relationship.
So, these days Jon doesn’t even acknowledge the rock media. In response, we take every opportunity to dismiss him as irrelevant. Yet, deep down, all those who were fans of the band so many years ago yearn to embrace them again. And I fully believe that Jon et al need their rock audience.
Listening to the new record, The Circle, you have the impression that nobody in the Jovi camp is really stretching themselves. No disrespect to those who dashed out to buy the new record on the day of release, and have already got tickets for the O2 Arena residency next year, but they’re rather too easily pleased. What this band needs is a right old kick up the arse, to reconnect with the hard rockers and make the album that I sense they wanna do – and I know a lot of the old brigade would love to hear again.
We should care, because Bon Jovi were a supreme band through the latter part of the 1980s, and none of us have forgotten it. We should care for the same reasons that everyone always believes the next Metallica album will be sensational, however many dire records they make in the meantime. We should care, in the same way that we never gave up on Iron Maiden when they brought in Blaze Bayley.
Perhaps Jon will read this, and think about taking up the challenge of getting back his soul. Maybe he’ll ponder over the thought that he is a great songwriter who’s allowed his art form to wither under the unforgiving cosh of cash.
Most importantly, Jon, just mull over the fact that there are a lot of people out there who’ve given up on you, don’t care anymore… but still get angry at your wrong decisions. There’s hope yet.
– Malcolm Dome
* Be sure to visit the Classic Rock website tomorrow, when Dave Ling will offer his opposing viewpoint.
I’ve been saying for a long time now that bands like Oasis are more of a rock band than Bon Jovi. But the thing that really grates is the mans ego. This is the man who recently spat his dummy because an interviewer didn’t refer to the O2 shows next year as a residency! I also think he has a huge chip on his shoulder, because he sees himself as important to music as Springsteen, yet all he is doing is playing safe radio friendly tat!
It will be interesting to see how they go down at Download if the rumours are true about them headlining Classic Rock day. There was a mass wave of people leaving early while Def Leppard were on this year, it might be a tidal wave of folks if Jovi were playing.
MD is absolutley spot on about who BJ’s target audience is now ( 40 something-former-knicke-throwers) anyone I know who are still fans of the “band” all fall into this bracket, however seeing as they ( he ) ceased to bare any relation to anything ROCK for a number of years I don’t know why CR gives any page time.,The latest feature in the current issue is as bland as the music has been for years. BJ are a POP band and no one should be surprised that they show up X F*ctor.
i think bon jovi are flogging slippery for to long its the only goodalbum thay have and the x factor well that says it all
I never thought I would write this or even do the ‘deed’ but Jovi are the ONLY band I have ever walked out on halfway through a gig! I saw them with Van Halen at Wembley a few years back and was bored shitless as slow ‘housewife’ ballad after tedious new rubbish were trotted out.
I’ve not bothered with them since but do still love the first 4 albums.
i have every album up to the last 2; i have the banned cover copy of slippery, i had one of tico’s drum stix, i even have a signed copy of NJ framed on one of my walls; but to be honest they are totally irrelevant to my life and have been since about 2000; shame really.
I am a massive Bon Jovi fan and have been for 20 years.
While SWW and New Jersey are two of the best Rock albums of all time it’s safe to say that Bon Jovi will never reach that level of song writing again.
Have to agree with MD Bon Jovi are like Metallica. Big fan base, concerts sell out but the new albums over the last 20 years have been poor in comparison with their others. Also when live the classics get the best reaction while everyone goes for a piss when the new stuff is being played.
With Bon Jovi the first 6 albums were excellent and everything since has been average at best. I think Ritchie gets worse on every album and its hardly worth him plugging in his guitar these days. Its strange as he is excellent live and extends the solos so why not do it on the record?
IMO there are not many bands that are around after 25 years making good new music. The band will have a few classics and then its mediocrity from there in. It’s not just Jovi and Metallica there are loads of bands out there doing the same. When was the last great Pearl Jam, Megadeth or Motley Crue record for example?
Jon Bon Jovi has took the band to a bad place. But as a live act they are still a force to be reckoned with.
Metallica have never made a dire album!!!!
Jon wants to be Springsteen but hasn’t got the talent….hence the soulless crap and X factor appearances….shame tho’ cos they do have some really great songs….but they’re all over 10 years old now
Lost the plot, to be honest. Saw them at Hampden in the pishing rain and I lot count of the number of girls wearing pink cowboy hats. They’ve turned into a hen-night band…nuff said!!!
You gotta hand it to them. They’ve managed to work “the business” and stay in a place where they sell their albums, regardless of the audience. They have no conviction and go with whatever the pop charts are playing (I can’t believe they haven’t done a rap record) from country, to acoustic-driven nonsense. So…in the end they’ve lost their “rock cred” but retained a relevant audience. Megadeth, on the other hand, never bothered with trends. But now nobody buys their stuff and they’re playing tiny venues.
Since it is “the music business” it’s hard to fault Bon Jovi for being such wanks just for trying to stay in business. But they suck now.
I myself am an 18 year old born in the wrong decade. If I had it my way I would have grown up with all the 70’s and 80’s had to offer: KISS, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC, Van Halen, etc. The two bands I have never been able to stand, however, have always been Def Leppard and Bon Jovi. Now, Def Leppard is just down to personal taste; I don’t like the lyrics or the music at all. On the other hand, Bon Jovi have always had that extra irritation provided by the man upfront.
Mr Bongiovi time after time proves himself to be a child, throwing tantrums when he doesn’t get the godlike recognition he believes he deserves. One particular incident I remember came when he was asked about much delayed Chinese Democracy. He proceeded to rant that his band was far superior than Axl Rose for releasing album after album of material. Yes John, but of what?
I for one considered ChiDem to be an incredible album, sure it should have been released as an Axl solo project, but it was good music nonetheless, especially when compared to the crap Bon Jovi have been producing for the last couple of decades. Y’know what, the only reason more people know about Bon J than do about W.A.S.P. or Crue is because Bon Jovi is suitable for 12 year olds. And that seems to be half their audience nowadays, the other half being their mums.
bon jovi is a pop band, plain and simple. they do not, have not, and never will, “rock”.
i have no problem with pop bands until they start getting billed as a rock band.
what about the jonas brothers, CR? Why don’t you start doing stories on them? They play guitar, they sing songs? What’s the difference?
it’s a shame the greatness of These Days can’t be revisited…heck if it means them all getting depressed again i’ll take that!
I WAS a massive fan of Bon Jovi, they were the band that turned me onto rock and metal thanks to someone buying me Slippery When Wet. They were also the first gig I ever went to when I was 13 on the Keep the Faith tour.
However, like so many have said above, they are pretty much a pop band now. I quite liked some of the later albums but Have a Nice Day was tragic, didn’t get the next one as was already going off them and the reviews for it were less than friendly. Won’t get the next one as the single We Weren’t Born to Follow is frankly awful.
Whilst I don’t disagree with Malcolms comments, I just don’t think the band had it in them. At least with Metallica, they were still pushing boundaries. The Garage Days Re-Revisited was brilliant and you cannot tell me the S&M album is nothing short of amazing.
Unfortnately, Jon Bon Blow Me is an egotistical knob head, failed actor who thinks he is above everyone else adn he couldn’t chuck out a decent album again if he spent 10 years working on it.
It took a few listens but I actually like the new album. Jovi’s best since New Jersey.
Queen were on Xfactor this week…so is anyone going to question their rock credentials now too? No, didnt think so.
Im sure if Xfactor (god forbid) had a metal week metallica would be the first ones in there. Its all good marketing in the end…its music BUSINESS folks, it was a good move and got the album to no.2, a few thousand of the top spot.
Bon Jovi have evolved with the times, unlikle ACDC and Maiden et al who churn out the same record every few years, tour it, everyone forgets the new stuff and just want to hear classics. This is only true to some extent with Jovi, there have been several recent big jovi hits which have now been added to the bands long list of fan and joe public favourites (Its my Life, Have a nice day… Who says you cant go home etc)
The reason Jovi are slated and even hated by the Rock community is that its simply not ‘cool’ to like them, its not macho enough – their brand of rock isnt ‘rock’ enough for purists as it is so mainstream and commercial and has crossover appeal, and as Jon is a decent looking bloke with unusually white teeth, happily married for years and who doesnt snort cocaine and eat bats etc, the rock snobes turn their noses up.
Who gives a f**k? Its all about the music, and the new record is a major return to form. And they are still a rocking live act.
Erm….. to the Metallica comment… never a dire album…. St Anger anybody??
Bon Jovi rool bunghole. So blow it up your ass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–TQlowlbzs
To be honest it was more the hypocrisy that has turned my off Bon Jovi than their relentless descent into insipdness. To sing about the plight of the ‘working man’ and then charge such outrageous ticket prices is, in my opinion, quite outrageous.
sorry Barney, but St. Anger was a waste of a recording budget and utter garbage,,,,,
Not a rock band. Cant be clearer than this.
Malcolm makes a good point as in the eighties they were a great live Rock act with great songs. They still write great tunes, not as many as back in the day but each album has at least 2 or 3 really good melodies. However they are indeed JBJ’s backing band and he is the head of the corporate entity they have become.
Oh for an album of songs with Richie playing proper rock guitar with the wammy bar being re-used. Live shows that were vital and energetic. And how good would it be if JBJ looked like he loved what he was doing rather than doing a headcount and counting the dollars.
Why bother though? If you can sell 20 nights of 20 000 tickets in a single venue at an average of £100 what is the opinion of those who supported the band in 84-90 worth?
Any band who think it is ok to demand massive prices for that so intimate venue O2 deserve to be forgotten about.
I have no qualms about them being on X Factor, but I think they have run out of ideas and are playing well within their capabilities.
The thing is they know they have a loyal fanbase and can sit back and reap the rewards.
It’s time they slide away and re-think their options.
After all no one is worth £1200 a ticket are they. How can they say they are from humble beginnings and down with the “kids” when they are just greedy businessmen.
Jon wants to be Springsteen but hasn’t got the talent….hence the soulless crap and X factor appearances….shame tho’ cos they do have some really great songs….but they’re all over 10 years old now -
My sentiments exactly.
Some may have written them off, but more recent songs such as Have A Nice Day, It’s My Life, and Thorn in My Side are classic rock anthems.
@ Steve Emmerson; last great Pearl Jam record: Ten, last great Megadeth record: Endgame, last great Mötley recordp; Saints of Los Angeles!!
Where’s the second POV article?
Barneybubbles –
slightly off topic but………
Surely you are not saying St Anger, Load & Re-load are any good?
take your metallica goggles off old bean!!!
@ philip re Pearl Jam Ten – thats was out before Bon Jovi’s Keep The Faith album. Ten was released in 1991 – so theres my point. The last great Pearl Jam album was released in 1991.
Crues SOLA album – its OK but will never stand the test of time like Girls, Shout and Feelgood. So again the last great Crue album was 1989s Dr Feelgood
Has my point been proved?
To be fair Jon is only trying to fill the gap left by Michael Bolton, all those menopausal women with empty nests must have loads of cash to throw at a fading star who unlike others of that vinatge can still deliver the goods live, but are perhaps a bit too threatening for the Debenhams set. Bland Jovi perhaps?
What do the “hard rockers” want from Bon Jovi? A remake of a 1988 album, singing about being born to be my bady on a homebound train through wind winds? Frankly this is unrealistic. You can see the headlines now “Bon Jovi make 1 last attempt to relive the glory days”.
Are Def Leppard, Metallica, GnR, Poison, Europe, Maiden etc making the quality of albums they made in the late 1980’s? We all know the answer.
Are Bon Jovi still making high quality, well produced, well structured albums? YES. 4 since 2000 (+lost highway)
The Circle is excellent.
Bon Jovi have always written good songs that people can relate to – they still do.
As a live act they always play for 2.5-3 hours every night and on a massive range of songs, over 60 different songs on their last tour.
Are Bon Jovi still proud to play their new songs in the live arena? – Yes. 5-6 current album songs are always played on tour. This can’t be said for all the aforementioned bands.
Sambora such featue more, the O2 prices are a disgrace, but we should still care about Bon Jovi? – Yes. We are not in 1988 anymore and Bon Jovi recognise that.
are you people crazy. they just keep getting better with age. they have survived hip hop, dance music, rap, and all that other garbage that has popped up along the way. you should think before you put something on the net about this amazing band.
@ steve emmerson: re Pearl Jam; that’s my point also! I made that statement more from a cynical point of view. PJ are way overrated imho.
re Mötley; SOLA does stand up to at least Girls! That album has some classics (girls, wild side, all in the name of and you’re all I need) but the rest is average at most. On SOLA there’s no classic maybe but also no fillers. But in the end it’s all about taste sin’t it?
On topic; do I like Bon Jovi? Yes, but only up til New Jersey! Just bought the remastered first four ablums, excellent!!
Phil – I agree
I think Bon Jovi are marmite these last few years – you either love em or hate em!
THEY NEED A BETTER PRODUCER!!
I enjoyed this article. And I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan.
I agree that there are glimmers of great rock in the latest album 2010 but it’s poorly executed.
I think one of their biggest problems has been a poor choice of PRODUCERS after These Days. I still think These Days is their best work yet.
But c’mon they need rock gurus like Bob Rock back in the studio to kick some butt. John Shanks doesn’t have enough raw edge and I think being a young producer he wouldn’t have that wisdom to disagree or recommend different things to Jovi.