| Update -Tuesday October 1st : UNIVERSAL MUSIC INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELEASE BON JOVI TO PIONEER 'AMERICAN XS' SERIALISATION PROGRAMME FOR NEW ALBUM LONDON, 20 SEPTEMBER 2002 - In a pioneering initiative, Bon Jovi will be the first major artist to offer a serialisation programme, offering buyers of their forthcoming album Bounce exclusive benefits including priority concert ticket offers and unreleased tracks. Each copy of the new album will contain a unique PIN code. Everyone who buys the album can register their unique code at www.bonjovi.com which provides automatic membership in American XS - a benefits programme of ongoing opportunities including 'first in line' access to concert tickets, unreleased tracks, contests, interaction with the band and other exclusive offers. There is no charge or fee for American XS membership. Bon Jovi's new album Bounce is released internationally on 23 September 2002, and in the US on 8 October 2002. Bounce, the band's 8th studio album, is the follow up to the multi-platinum Crush, which sold 8 million copies worldwide. Bon Jovi have sold more than 92 million albums, and have played over 2,000 show in 47 countries to more than 31 million people. Bruce Kirkland, Bon Jovi Management, said: "Bon Jovi felt compelled to creatively address the decline in music sales caused by piracy and file sharing by developing an initiative that delivers additional value to the consumer and gives them every reason to buy the new album legitimately. "The American XS serialisation is a benchmark offer, introducing the concept of the 'living album', giving fans a real, on-going relationship with the artist. It's a win-win situation for the consumer and the music industry - the consumer gets real value for money from the purchase price and the industry benefits by having consumers in record stores." On registering, each American XS member will receive a special introductory offer consisting of a message from the band, behind the scenes footage, an exclusive, unreleased song for download, a screensaver and access to Bon Jovi Insider - a special section on www.bonjovi.com. Periodically, after registration, other offers will be available including a three-day priority online purchase window for tickets to the Bon Jovi World Tour (via Ticketmaster), exclusive chats with the band, contests for trips and merchandise, streamed concerts from the World Tour, discounts on merchandise, and even the opportunity to join the band onstage at select concert dates. In recognition of the global appeal of Bon Jovi, American XS will take on a local flavour for each territory. There will be special awards for the 'Gold' and 'Platinum' members from each country, regional contests in support of tour dates and product offers unique to that territory. In a separate initiative, Bon Jovi performed a special album preview concert at London's Shepherds Bush Empire on 18 September 2002 - their first European club gig in ten years. In addition to the 2,000 lucky fans at the venue, more than ten thousand people at 20 cinemas across Europe enjoyed the concert on the big screen via satellite. They were joined by a global audience of more than 375,000 fans from 63 countries, who watched a glitch-free live streamed webcast of the gig - making it the most successful live internet music event of all time. September 5th - New York City and National Football League Present 'NFL Kickoff Times Square. -(News taken from www.backstaejbj.com) World's Largest Tailgate Party to Feature Bon Jovi and Others Live in Times Square Prior to San Francisco 49ers-New York Giants Game And NFL Kickoff Weekend 2002 Bon Jovi Also to Perform Live at Halftime at Giants Stadium NEW YORK, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans ring in each New Year by watching the ball drop in New York City's fabled Times Square. On Thursday, September 5, a different shaped ball will drop with BON JOVI leading the celebration and the countdown to the NFL's 2002 season in Times Square, New York City and the NFL announced today. NEW YORK CITY AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESENT "NFL KICKOFF LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE" is slated for Times Square with an unprecedented day of music and football-themed festivities leading to the first-ever NFL season kickoff on a Thursday as the San Francisco 49ers play the New York Giants at Giants Stadium (ESPN, 8:30 P.M. ET) Bon Jovi, one of America's preeminent bands, will headline the event and perform at halftime of the game. The event and game coincide with Bon Jovi's upcoming October album release of "Bounce." At the Times Square event and during halftime at Giants Stadium, Bon Jovi will perform their new single "Everyday" for the first time in front of a live audience. Other artists will be announced at a later date. Portions of the event will be televised live or by tape by CBS, MTV, VH-1 and ESPN as the NFL gets ready to kick off its 83rd season. Radio coverage and promotions will be provided nationally by Westwood One and Clear Channel Entertainment. The day will include recognition and support of New York City's September 11 memorial events. Fans will get a look at the newest in NFL fashions with a show featuring jerseys and clothing from the new NFL Equipment line created by Reebok. Bon Jovi will headline the day with a performance prior to an official "Countdown to Kickoff" ceremony leading up to the Giants-49ers game. A giant NFL football will drop from the traditional site of the New Year's ball. The NFL has developed a comprehensive plan for the national television and radio coverage of "NFL Kickoff Live from Times Square":-- CBS will tape the event and air an exclusive prime-time one-hour showthe following night, Friday, Sept. 6. -- VH-1 will televise Bon Jovi's performance live from 7-8 PM ET on Thursday. VH-1 will also re-air the performance in prime-time Saturday, Sept. 7. -- ESPN will do frequent live shots from a satellite set in Times Square during its "NFL Countdown" show from 6:30-8:30 PM. - MTV will televise some portions of its 90-minute "TRL" show, beginning at 3:30 PM ET, from the NFL stage in Times Square. The four presenting sponsors are Coors, Reebok, PlayStation and Verizon Communications. Update August 27th- JON AT GIANTS! (Taken from www.backstagejbj.com) Albany, N.Y. - Beset by injuries at several positions, including their offensive backfield, the Giants today invited a celebrated season ticket holder to practice and gave him a chance to run the ball. Coach Jim Fassel and Jon Bon Jovi watch as QB Kerry Collins and RB Tiki Barber unveil "Blue 21 Bounce", a new offensive play named after Bon Jovi's latest release, "Bounce". Jon Bon Jovi might not have the size and skills to help the Giants, but he did provide some infectious enthusiasm. The famed singer, who happens to be a fervent Giants fan, ran a play the team drew up just for him called "Blue 21 Bounce." Bon Jovi's new album is entitled "Bounce." After Tiki Barber - No. 21 - demonstrated the play, Bon Jovi took a handoff from Kerry Collins and ran upfield. However, he forgot to bounce to his left, which is how the play was drawn up. So he ran it again. The second time, Bon Jovi came up out of his three-point stance � and promptly dropped the ball. But he and everyone else had a good time. "What a thrill," said Bon Jovi, a New Jersey native. "Of all the amazing things we've done, I've never had a play named after a new album. This is a huge thrill. To be embraced by the players is a big thrill. I'm a season ticket holder. I sit up there." In the coming days, Bon Jovi's involvement in the NFL will entail far more than rooting for the Giants. On September 5, he will perform live in Times Square to kick-off the NFL season in grand style. He will headline a performance that will be part of NEW YORK CITY AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESENT "NFL KICKOFF LIVE FROM TIMES SQUARE," along with Enrique Iglesias, Eve and Alicia Keys. The event is slated for 5 p.m. in Times Square with an unprecedented free football and music festival to kick off the season and celebrate the resilient spirit of New York and America. Later that night, Bon Jovi will sing at halftime of the season-opening Giants-49ers game in Giants Stadium. Bon Jovi, who wore an NYPD cap, believes the Times Square concert is another example of New York's comeback from last year's terrorist attacks. "I think it's New York's way of saying, `We're just fine, thank you,'" he said. "We're moving up and we're moving on, and the resiliency of New York is going to be really evident that first day. It's football season. It's America's sport. The Giants are feeling really good about themselves. To play in Times Square, fly here, play at halftime - I think there's going to be an enormous uproar when we play. I'm ready to go now." Bon Jovi arrived via helicopter about a half-hour after his announced arrival time, just as the Giants concluded a two-hour practice. Dressed in black sweat pants and T-shirt, he was immediately engulfed by reporters and television cameras. Within moments, he was joined in the middle of the swarm by Giants coach Jim Fassel. I've been a fan of his for quite a while, " said Fassel, who joked that he was fining Bon Jovi $5,000 for being late to practice. The coach then said he had room for Bon Jovi on his team. "I have a roster spot," Fassel said. "I cut a bunch of guys." |
| Update 4th June - ZOOTOPIAAAAA 411!!!! Taken from www.backstagejbj.com The Z-100 crowd did NOT know what hit them last nite! Z-100 is a local NY/NJ/CT radio station and they hosted a massive multi-act radio concert at NJ's GIANTS STADIUM last nite. The band actually did their soundcheck late on Saturday night at the stadium. The show itself started at 5:40 PM. last night when PINK took the stage... before Bon Jovi performed, the crowd witnessed sets by Marc Anthony, Nick & Aaron Carter, Alanis Morrisette, Goo Goo Dolls, Celine Dion and others. The members of Bon Jovi arrived during the show (some by car and some by helicopter) and rushed into their dressing room (which was actually the NY JETS locker room!) Waiting for them were gifts from the NY Giants (personally delivered by Coach Jim Fassel) which included a customized NY Giants home jersey with Bon Jovi and the number one on the back (it was custom-made to fit Jon without the shoulder pads!) Before the band took the stage, PINK paid a visit to the dressing room after her performance. Before the band was due to take the stage, they were hanging out in the dressing room watching the L.A. LAKERS basketball game on TV. When it was time for Bon Jovi to hit the stage at 9pm, the sun had set, the night had fallen and it was nice & cool outside. The Z-100 Morning Zoo on-air staff introduced the NY Yankees (Including David Wells, Jay Spencer, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, Steve Karsay, Jay Van der Wal and others) to a roar of the crowd... then, David Wells took the mike and introduced "NEW JERSEY'S FINEST: BON JOVI" and the stadium EXPLODED!!! The band broke into YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME and that crowd did not know what hit them. Everyone was up - dancing, singing, taking part in the show. There was a Z-shaped catwalk jutting out from downstage center that extended into a small GA pit. Jon strutted on that catwalk and interacted with the crowd and the whole place was just on fire (in fact, BON JOVI shot off fireworks twice during their mini-set!) After BAD NAME, the band performed IT'S MY LIFE, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE (Jon did announce it as "All rise, for the playing of our national anthem...") and BAD MEDICINE. Jon had the crowd in the palm of his hand - everyone in that stadium... if they weren't there to see Bon Jovi were now converted fans. The band stole the show! Finally, since Jon claimed it was a tease only being allowed to do a handful of songs... he tore off his denim jacket to reveal a white NJ NETS Jason Kidd autographed home game jersey that had been rhinestoned by hand for the show... and broke into SHOUT (doing the intro from the Z-Catwalk.) It is an amazing site to see everyone in that stadium dancing and singing along, jumping up and down to the song... from the very front, all the way back, to far reaches of the stadium, to the very top row... BON JOVI rocked that crowd. And then, Jon said "see you soon" and bid farewell as the band finished out the song. (After Bon Jovi, the crowd were treated to performances by P. Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Fat Joe and Shakira, who closed the show.) The band left the stage and headed back into their dressing room... and it was THE dressing room everyone wanted to be in. For starters, Z-100 ran a contest that gave one grand prize winner the opportunity to see the show and meet the band... and to bring 15 of her closest friends. The winner turned out to be a girl from Jon's hometown of Sayreville, NJ and she was beyond excited by the entire experience. MICHELLE BRANCH even stopped by to meet the band. All the NY YANKEES who had been onstage to introduce the band were now hanging out backstage... and then the local heros joined the party. Members of the NBA Championship Series-bound NEW JERSEY NETS joined BON JOVI in their dressing room to hang out. JASON KIDD was ushered in and Jon retrieved the one-of-a-kind jersey he wore during the performance and presented it to Jason's wife, Joumana, as a gift. It was a VERY cool night... was when it was time to go, the band got a police escort out and were off to finish up work on the album. For all of you who were there, we're sure you had a kick-ass time. For those of you who couldn't attend, we hope we filled you in on some of the info! (Richie was wearing a sleeveless black t-shirt and a black cowboy hat with red stones along the rim, plus his Sambora necklace.... ) If you head over to www.z100.com you can see some of the live shots taken during the show. And, if you head over to www.wireimage.com, you'll see even more live shots plus a slew of backtage shots showing the guys with the athletes who were hanging out in the dressing room. (remember: Wire Image is a professional service so you can only view the images in the small format they're initially shown in however, these are the photos that media outlets run in newspapers & magazines so they could turn up in larger formats... keep an eye out!) Just a small dose of Bon Jovi... before the regular IV drip of Bon Jovi begins later this summer! Are you READY ? "We sure as hell are!!!" Update March - DAVE BRYAN: MUSICAL THEATER PROJECTS - (Taken from www.backstagejbj.com) Dave is continuing work on SWEET VALLEY HIGH, a musical based upon the internationally best-selling series of teen books (and the popular syndicated TV show of the same title.) In the meantime, his other musical theater project, entitled MEMPHIS, is about to hit the stage. MEMPHIS is based upon the life of 1950's radio personality DEWEY PHILIPS who was the first to introduce white Memphis kids to rhythm and blues... he's responsible for getting rock 'n' roll started on radio (even before Alan Freed coined the term!) The musical was written by DAVE BRYAN along with Joe DiPietro, who also wrote the off-Broadway smash 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' and 'Over The River and Through The Woods'. DAVE will be on location to watch his project being read by Theater Works of Palo Alto, CA - the readings will take place on May 4 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (noon and 8pm.) Congratulations, Dave! Update March 6th - Jon's 40th Birthday Bash! (taken from www.backstagejbj.com) Friday 1st March, JON flew home to begin the serious partying. JON turned 40 on Saturday, March 2nd and that rainy nite, Dorothea threw a 40th BIRTHDAY BASH for him at the Angel Orensanz Foundation for the Arts. The venue is a former synogogue which is now party space - it was built in 1834 and is in New York City's Lower East Side neighborhood. The party theme was TARTS & VICARS (essentially, that means members of the clergy & streetwalkers or holy people and hookers.) The men were dressed as priests and choirboys. The women were all dressed, well... like tarts! JON and DOROTHEA were joined by Dave & April, Tico & Alejandra and Hughie. Plus, they welcomed some good friends including Howard Stern (Jon called into Howard's show yesterday morning and talked about what a great party it was,) Ron Perelman & Ellen Barkin, football player Sean Landetta, Chazz Palmentieri, Dave "Snake" Sabo and Billy Falcon. On stage, Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg and Bobby Bandiera were handling the R&B sounds. After midnight, Jon's friends and heros Southside Johnny and Little Steven Van Zandt took to the stage to perform and Jon joined them. t was a fantastic party! There will be more exclusive party pictures in the next issue of the backstage fanzine. You can see some photo's from the party, plus all the latest news/reviews/gossip and how to join the fan club by going to the official website - www.backstagejbj.com. Update -November - George Harrison! (R.I.P George.) Jon and Richie perfomed "Here Comes The Sun," as a tribute to George Harrison, at the VH1 my music awards on December 2nd in LA. The band were nominated for and won the award for "Hottest Live act"!! All the nominations and winners were voted for by the fans. Click here to see some photo's from the event. Chat with the band! While on a two week hiatus from filming Ally McBeal in L.A, Jon got together with the rest of the band to record some demo's at his home studio, Sanctuary sound II. While there, they partipated in a chat with the fans via a link on their official website - www.bonjovi.com. Click here to read the transcript. Update September 2001 - News taken from "www.backstagejbj.com - JON and RICHIE performed LIVE on this past Friday night's "AMERICA: A TRIBUTE TO HEROES" telethon. An incredibly moving rendition of "LIVIN' ON A PRAYER" was performed acoustically with accompaniment by percussion and violin. * After careful consideration, lyrically it proved to be the most appropriate song for the occasion.* You can still contribute to the cause at the following website: www.tributetoheroes.org JON's powerful rendition of "AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL" featurng harmonies by RICHIE opened all the 1:00 PM games of the National Football League (NFL) this afternoon (not only on television but on the jumbotron screens in each of the eight stadiums hosting 1pm games.) The visuals were filmed this past Friday in New York City on East 51st street in front of the FIRE DEPARTMENT OF NEW YORK's "Hi Rise Midtown" BATTALLION 8, ENGINE 8, LADDER 2 firehouse. The folks standing beside JON & RICHIE were the wives, children and fellow firefighters (many of whom Jon & Richie met with privately inside the firehouse prior to the taping) of those lost in the World Trade Center tragedy while trying to rescue others - this company are missing 10 of their men. It's not rock stars or football players who are the heroes... Management is in the process of coordinating with the NFL to make this footage available in as many outlets as possible and making the audio available as well..... Please go to www.bonjovi.com to download Jon and Richie's very moving and powerful version of "America the Beautiful", mixed by Obie O'Brien. |
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