There are two reasons why it’s fitting that Bon Jovi is the first act resurrecting MTV’s Unplugged. First, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s acoustic "Livin’ on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" medley at the 1989 Video Music Awards helped inspire the original concert series. (Relive the VMA performance here, while it lasts.) Second, at a time when the band is looking to cross genres — their country album Lost Highway drops June 19 — so too is the show: Three different versions of their Unplugged will air on MTV (a half-hour, premiering June 22), VH1 (a full hour, June 23) and CMT (90 minutes, June 24).
Because you can’t really "spoiler" music in print — and because I’d never seen Bon Jovi live, which was just wrong — I hauled my butt (and the butt of my plus-1, Sheila) to Brooklyn’s Steiner Studios Tuesday night to join a couple hundred others for the show.
Below the jump is a list of all the things I learned at the taping. That Sambora would need to enter rehab, as People reports he did today, wasn’t one of them. The only signs I saw of possible impairment were a few screwups on the guitar during "Wanted." And I just assumed he was as exhausted at the end of the three-and-a-half-hour event as I was.
• Regardless of how Nashville their new sound actually is, Bon Jovi’s current single "(You Want to) Make a Memory," won’t be the only song from Lost Highway to hit the country charts. Both "Whole Lot of Leavin’ Goin’ On" and the album’s title track are good road anthems. Jon said "Lost Highway" is his favorite track he and Richie have ever written. It’s about being able to finally look at your past with clarity and know exactly where you’re headed. He said that, in the last year, he’s been able to see friends through difficult times. (Sheila and I then shared the memory of how sad we were when Richie and Heather Locklear separated. In light of today’s disclosure, perhaps Jon was referring to something else.)
• Even 45-year-old rock stars get the jitters… Jon and Richie wanted to get a few songs under their belts with the band before they tackled what will actually open the show: A slow, ominous version of "Livin’ on a Prayer." As the two of them stood backlit on a dark stage, accompanied by an angry-sounding eight-piece string section, I thought this arrangement is definitely better than "Prayer ‘94," but that I, personally, am never happy unless this song is rocked balls-to-the-wall. That realization was particularly unfortunate considering "Prayer" was one of several tunes on the 20-song set list they would elect to do more than one take of. We actually heard the closer "Wanted" three times — once with the full band and twice with just Jon and Richie (who apologized to the audience for blowing out his voice in rehearsal). Richie kept enunciating the "t" in wanted, which actually disturbed us more.
• I need to buy a LeAnn Rimes album. Rimes (pictured with Jon) flew in to do the steamy Lost Highwayduet "’Til We’re Not Strangers Anymore" and sounded amazing. I’d loveto ask her to describe, in great detail, what it feels like to singabout making love while Jon Bon Jovi stands a foot away, staring andsmiling at you. Perhaps she’d say what someone sitting in front of medid: "I just had a stroke." Too bad Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles didn’tpop up when it was time for "Who Says You Can’t Go Home." I’m sure I wasn’t the only one hearing her harmonies in my head though.
• All-American Rejects frontman Tyson Ritter respects his elders. Ritter and bandmate Nick Wheeler joined Bon Jovi for a stripped version of "It’s My Life."Assuming I heard Ritter correctly when he took the stage ("I’m s—-in’razorblades"), it’s safe to say he also was dealing with nerves. Afterthe song ended, he dropped to his knees and gave Jon the universal signfor "I’m not worthy." He must be a fan: he stuck around for the rest ofthe show, and I saw him tapping his foot to the rousing performance ofthe Arena Football League anthem, "We Got It Going On". Busted!
• Jon Bon Jovi is one of those people who thinks the late Jeff Buckley wrote "Hallelujah".Or, at least he said he was when he first saw Buckley perform it inAsbury Park in the early ’90s. (Jon turned to a friend and went,"That’s the hit," not knowing it had already been one for Leonard Cohen.)It’s a song he wishes he’d written, and you could tell it from thepassion in his performance. No one does the power jazz hand — punchingthe heavens with an open palm for emphasis — like Jon Bon Jovi. (And noone does "Hallelujah" like Buckley.)
• You haven’t seen Jon Bon Jovi animated, until you’ve seen him do a swing version of "You Give Love a Bad Name." The man worked more than his hands during the band’s first No. 1 hit — set to a "Stray Cat Strut"beat. His Elvis twists received a warm reception, though I genuinelybelieve his emotive, bicep-flexing grip on the mike stand during "Born to be My Baby" made thathis sexiest number. I’ll be curious to see which network(s) airs "BadName," as well as the so-called "Beatles-esque" version of another No.1, "I’ll Be There For You."
• There are old Bon Jovi songs that I don’t remember. Apparently, they’re called "Joey" and "Keep the Faith."
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So happy to read that’s Leann Rhimes. For a second there I thought they let LiLo out of rehab to perform with Bon Jovi. Whew!
True story – once on Star here in L.A. Bon Jovi did an acoustic studio performance. This was “back in the day” and I taped it on my cassette tape/boom box thingie. It was so freaking awesome that I have that tape to this day and break it out on occasion. It also has the added novelty of Ryan Seacrest back when he was DJing the afternoon drive…
In short – Bon Jovi acoustic – it hurts so good!
I highly recommend Leann Rimes’ “This Woman” if you’re serious about buying one of her cd’s. I’m not a huge country fan, but I have this cd, and it is quality — a rarity in the music biz these days.
FYI Leonard Cohen is one of Jon Bon Jovi’s favorite artists. Has been for years. JBJ has covered Cohen’s songs several times. So you should keep your snarky comments to yourself.
kats – glad I’m not the only one that thought that was Lindsay Lohan for a second. The resemblance is actually striking in that photo, even though really Rimes looks nothing like her.
FYI- Since Mandi clearly said that Bon Jovi himself stated he thought that Jeff Buckley wrote the song, your rudeness is kind of unjustified.
Oh my god, I too thought that was L.L! That’s the whole reason why I decided to read the artical – LOL!
I read on Perezhilton that Richie Sambora was blitz out of his mind! Too bad, he should have learned by now that drugs suck.
How could anyone not remember ‘Keep The Faith’? T_T
Ed: no one’s said Richie’s in rehab for drugs.. it’s more likely it’s alcohol and general emotional exhaustion after everything that’s happened to him this past year.
And wow I would like to see Bon Jovi live on an acoustic show.. they so rock at that.
I have to join in the chorus of “You don’t remember Keep The Faith”?
Runaway…I wonder how THAT would have sounded Unplugged!
Bon Jovi? Seriously? The former 80s hair band? You guys are seriously wasting space writing about these guys? Come on! These guys don’t even rate as a guity pleasure. John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band had more to say musically then these guys. Hey I hear Great White is making a comeback! You better run out and cover that!
Well JayGee, you just wasted time telling us we are wasting OUR time. If you don’t like them, fine. But don’t be rude to those who do.
Your a Bon jovi fan and have never heard of Keep The Faith?! Some fan!
Gotta admit I was never a big fan of Bon Jovi or their ilk during their 80s hey days. But a friend of mine suckered me into going to a free concert they threw back in about 1997 or something. They rocked. And watching Jon Bon perform, I finally knew the definition of “rock star.” He knows how to work a crowd. Best free show ever!
I absolutely love Bon Jovi and can’t wait to see this.
And yeah, JayGee…no one, especially BJ cares what you think. Why are even here in the first place?
Richie…sending you lots of love, hang in there!
We’ll be there for you!
Er JayGree, exactly what do you mean by the former 80s hair band? Yes they had big hair in the 80s..who didnt? But er, Bon Jovi have never gone away, calling them an 80s band is ridiculous. You call U2 a 70s band because they started in the 70s? No didn’t think so.
bon jovi makes it hard to listen to the other stuff out there – they are so far and above. If they all stay healthy this will be a huge year for them.
Great to see BJ are still performing with passion.
Feel sorry for Richie, drinking isn’t a surprise when you’ve just had a divorce, split with yournew girlfriend and you Dad died of cancer.
And no, it’s not drugs hes in rehab for it’s drink. And ignore perezhilton.com, they say Richie was blitzed and couldn’t play properly at all.According to this review he screwed up on Wanted, nothing else.
I don’t think it bothers me nearly as much that the writer here didn’t know the “old song” Keep the Faith as the fact that they called Joey an old song. I guess 5 years is old. Joey is off the 2002 cd Bounce. It’s not like it’s one of the “old standards”.
Hey guys! i’m new to this site but i’m definently a die hard Bon Jovi fan just like Jon is a die hard New York Giants Fan! Hey, u guys really seem to like “Lost Highway” over “Crush” and “Bounce”, but what about “Slippery”? I think the band had the best music in the late 80’s and early 90’s because that was the prime time for rock and roll. Those were the best songs, in my opinion at least, (Livin’ on a Prayer, You Give Love a Bad name)because i like their hard rock spirits! Really, what happened to the old Bon Jovi that we’ve all come to know and love? With the big fluffy hair and ttly torn jeans? Sorry I’m just not the country/mature rock type of person! Any other opinions?????????
Oh Yeah, hey JayGee, if you do’t think that we should “waste space” on writing about Bon Jovi, then why are you???? And if you don’t like them, go “waste space” on some other band! And don’t EVER, EVER, EVER say anything bad or mean about Bon Jovi infront of me! And if you HAVE to, DON’T let me see it.
Wow! I guess I’m not the only one who disrespects JayGee for ur RUDE comments, if i were u JayGee, i wouldn’t post those kinda comments on a website that is only for BON JOVI FANS! What did u expect???
PLESE REPLY, DIE HARD JOVI FANS!
I G2G, don’t get “Shot Through The Heart” while i’m gone! And if you do, well, “Billy Get Your Guns”!
How did this “reporter” get to go to unplugged. What a awaste of a ticket and a seat for her and her friend. Only true fans should have been allowed to attend such a show..
cheriin Jersey: TOTALLY AGREE!
My daddy works with the guy that helped write the song “id die for you”
I thought that that was kinda cool
Worst report I ever read. I agree, waste of a ticket to see one of the great artists of all time. Living On A Prayer version AWESOME….how could report call it “ominous”…..he is ridiculous!!!
What an amazing performance of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah by Bon Jovi on Unplugged on CMT. So pationate – definately needs to be released as a single!!! Anyone know where to download from???
I’m a close to 50yof and I have to say I came maybe a little late to the party. Always liked BJ stuff but have to say I really fell in love with Jon Bon Jovi during the closing ceremonies 2002 Winter Olympics. I was one of the “green coat brigade” susrrounding the stage while they performed. What hit me was how totally transformed he is when he smiles and doesn’t have on sun glasses! (My sister, 10 years younger than me said “Where the hell you been?”) Big fan ever since and thought the CMT show was great! (And to an earlier comment… nope! 70’s was the best time for rock and roll, lol!)
terry plz let me know if u find out where to download Bon Jovi’s Hallelujah….have tried Bearshare, Limrwire, Bittorrent and Kazaa and ITunes not there but u can watch it on UTube