Bon Jovi, NASCAR or A Typical Night In Vegas
March 13, 2006 | 2:18
pm
This was one of the few weekends I traditionally try to stay away from the Strip. It was NASCAR weekend with a huge race on Sunday, and the Strip gets saturated with people wearing those jackets lined with motor oil endorsements. Having just experienced car shopping, I've had enough of motor sports. But then the offer came to see Bon Jovi at the MGM Grand, a band I have disliked since the 80's. Not only that, when sentenced by an editor to spend 24 hours straight in a strip club for my 37th birthday, Bon Jovi's music was like some constant evil taunting me the entire time. So how could I not go?
In fact, I was expecting the place to be half empty and the band to be hideous and that I would be writing to gloat over each detail of the horror to you. But the 14,000 seat venue was totally sold out. People were wandering the MGM trying to buy scalped tickets. And, based on the absence of the telltale jackets there was not much overlap with the NASCAR crowd. Waiting to get in I ran into Jeff Beacher, the club promoter at the Hard Rock. It was the first time I've seen Beacher since our falling out over an item I wrote on the Buffet about Paris Hilton. But Beacher seems to have let it go and we gossiped a bit about the latest Vegas happenings until he was escorted backstage to meet the band and I was left standing alone.
To be honest, I am a little worried about Beacher's attitude toward me. He has a way with practical jokes, and loves a good feud. Last week he had a little person from his troupe of entertainers slap the publisher of a local newsletter (at, believe it or not, Ed McMahon's 83rd birthday party) as part of an escalating and thoroughly ridiculous feud that I would explain to you if I could understand it myself. Let's say big egos have a way of colliding and so far no one has been sued for libel and no one has been charged with assault; so I guess for both of them it qualifies as all in good fun. Beacher told me he paid the four foot two inch, Wee Matt $1,000 to strike the blow, and then he invited me to see his next show and I agreed. But maybe I should be more paranoid; maybe I am walking into some horrid and humiliating revenge over said Paris Hilton incident. If I am, Beacher will be sure to photograph it and so I will share whatever shame befalls me with you.
Bon Jovi have sadly not gotten fat and old. They looked in great shape and played like a tight band finishing a stadium tour (which they were). I still think they suck, but I was getting no revenge watching 14,000 people enjoy every minute of it. So, why begrudge them? I took my tickets to the far back of the nosebleed seats and gave them to two fairly dedicated yet impoverished looking fans and headed out of there bitterly casting a glance at the long line to buy $20 programs.
Tomorrow night I am going to see another 80s band: GBH. It will be interesting to see how time has treated them.
photo by Sarah Gerke
If you hated them soo much, why would you go anyway? Let someone who actually likes them go in your place from the start.. I absolutely love Bon Jovi.. But of course, everyone has their own opinion.. Maybe if you would actually sit down and listen to their songs, you would like them to?.. They have great meaning and they are all related to the everyday life and troubles of working class people.. The guys in Bon Jovi are really great people, and it bothers me as well as many others I'm sure, that you would post rude comments about them..
Posted by: Katrena | March 14, 2006 at 01:19 PM
I'm a recent Bon Jovi Fan convert....and I have to tell you I didn't see why people liked Bon Jovi until I went to their concert in Phoenix last thursday. I now see why there is such a fuss over them, its just good old classic rock and roll with a little country twist to it. I guess as one of their albums says "10,000,000 Fans Can't be Wrong" has to mean something.
Heather
Posted by: Heather | March 14, 2006 at 02:49 PM
My husband and I flew out from South Florida to this Las Vegas show. (We were also shocked to see all the NASCAR jackets...didn't even know there was a race over the weekend, which explains the booked rooms and high rates) Having been a Bon Jovi fan for about 22 years, I was thrilled to see that the majority of the fans attending were older (aged 35-50). Not too many teeny-boppers there - just a maturing age demographic who got to recapture youth with the band. We all, including the band, have a few budding wrinkles. There songs are all about everyday life and emotions - they have proven the test of time. Don't knock them until you've tried them. As long as they are still breathing, I will be a listening fan. Glad to see 14,000 others who felt the same way. Md
Posted by: Michele Davis | March 14, 2006 at 04:52 PM
i've been a fan since '84 & have no plans to change. i would have killed for your tickets.10,000,000 fans & more to come, definitely can't be wrong.
Posted by: lee | March 14, 2006 at 06:17 PM
Ok....to all of you that posted a comment....It's
100,000,000 fans!!
One hundred million fans, not ten million fans although now it's way over the 100,000,000 mark.
Just had to clarify!
Thanks
Posted by: Kim NC | March 15, 2006 at 03:53 AM
Yeah fair 1, why moan and groan bout goin' seein them they rock and have done since '84. What an honour being 1 of the 100,000,000 fans it makes me happy and im sure that 99,999,999 other fans would of liked to see you get run over by a nascar(only jokin) just for the chance to see the most exhilarating live band perform!
Haha Darren
Posted by: Darren Maloney | March 16, 2006 at 10:23 AM
It seems to me you are one of those people who manage to find something negative in just about anything - so chances are you didn't like the other 80's band either. Or maybe you are just putting them down because they have aged better than ... oh well, let's see - maybe you have? Either way, you've had the privilege to see one of the greatest bands EVER live. And - like it or not - they won't be going away anytime soon!
Posted by: Doris | March 16, 2006 at 12:36 PM
OMG!! I love bon jovi and i hate anyone who doesnt like him. well i despise them i love bon jovi and have been a die- hard fan since the 80's everyone had their own opinons but still! dont B so rude! that was one of the meanest things written about bon jovi i've ever seen and you must be one of the only ppl who dont like him or we all wouldnt be writing this!!!
Posted by: No name please! | March 18, 2006 at 05:11 AM
I looking forward seen Bon Jovi for the sec time here in Germany. I'm a huge fan of them and their music just makes me happy.
I sure would die to meet Bon Jovi at the Hessen Tag in Germany !!!
However jealous doesnt pay off !!!!Thats to whoever made that smart comment
Bon Jovi rocks ...even here in Germany
Posted by: Gabi Taylor | March 18, 2006 at 11:25 AM
I always knew Bon Jovi was good. But now I know they are great. I got their "Have a Nice Day" Album as a gift. Loved it so much I went out and bought "Slippery When Wet" and "This Left Feels right". Also saw them in Febuary in Connecticut. It was a sold out crowd. And they were great. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora looked and sounded amazing.
Posted by: Joanne | March 19, 2006 at 07:01 PM
I agree, Bon Jovi is totally pedestrian. And I read your 24 hours in the strip club piece; it does seem your editor was a sadistic SOB to make you sit there sipping Coke without a lap dance budget.
Posted by: MG | March 19, 2006 at 07:51 PM
You know you wish you were them. Look who still looks great and still making $$$$$$$$$$. Let's see you at age 40 Plus.
Actually LETS NOT!!!!!!
Posted by: Erin | March 23, 2006 at 01:24 PM
Bon Jovi ROCKS! Don't be a hater. Come out of the closet and just admit that you like their music.
Posted by: Renee (IN) | March 28, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Stuff it in your ear Bon Jovi .. I like your political views less
than I like your music.. if that's possible
Posted by: Chip Lilly | October 15, 2008 at 08:01 PM