I was supposed to see them in D.C. in 2001, at a benefit concert for 9/11, but for whatever reason they were unable to perform at the show. I was really disappointed to miss them, but last night's show at Gillette Stadium (Home of the New England Patriots!) was well worth twelve years of waiting.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn on the ride down there that J. Geils Band was the opening act. I don't know how I missed that detail, as I was the one who made the Ticketmaster purchase, but I was so excited when I found out! I only really knew like two of their most famous songs, which are on my iPod already, but their hour-long performance was incredible, and now I want to hear more of their music. Plus, it's always cool to see a band in their homeland!
This song in particular was awesome, complete with the same intro:
Around 9PM after the sun went down, Bon Jovi took the stage. They played for 2.5 hours, did TWO encores, and played every single song I really hoped to hear. I was sad when I heard that Richie Sambora was removed from the tour shortly after we bought the tickets, but the guy who replaced him was a really awesome guitarist and sounded just like him.
Jon Bon Jovi has been my ultimate rock star crush for years. Every song is awesome, he has the greatest voice in the industry, and he's frigging beautiful - even at age 51. I didn't think it was possible for me to love him any more than I already did, but last night I was proven wrong. He's such an incredible performer, sounds amazing live, and seems like such a down-to-earth kind of guy. He would crack jokes between the songs about being too old to hop around on stage, was great at engaging the crowd, and he just seemed so happy to be there performing.
Last night I felt like one of those hysterical Beatles fans you see in old footage from the Sixties. I always thought it was silly that they could be that emotional over a rock star; I mean, I didn't even cry when I saw Michael Jackson! But I would be lying if I didn't admit I actually CRIED during "Bed of Roses". I wasn't sobbing but I got a little teary, and I surprised myself. He just sang it with such raw emotion that it was so beautiful.
They did all the major songs you'd expect, including the acoustic lead-in to the regular "Livin' On A Prayer", plus a few that I was really hoping for, but wasn't sure were popular enough to make it: "Bad Medicine", "Always", and "Someday I'll Be Saturday Night". They also did covers of "Start Me Up" and "Old Time Rock 'N Roll".
I did take some videos, but they aren't the best quality, so I'm just going to post my favorite Youtube videos of some songs they performed:
