Tropical holiday

The Bongiovi family spent Christmas in St. Bart's as usual aboard a yacht, tanning on the beach, or snorkeling in the blue waters. Not my idea of Christmas, but definitely a damn fine holiday...especially considering the view of a certain rockstar. ;)

Enjoy.

Richie's solo album coming Spring 2012?!

WEEEEEEEE! I hope it's true! Thanks, Hath, for posting the news!

From MixOnline

Bon Jovi lead guitarist and producer, singer/songwriter Richie Sambora is recording his third solo album at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood. Luke Ebbin, producer of the Bon Jovi albums “Crush” and “Bounce,” is helming the new project.
“Richie and I have worked on and off together for years,” explained Ebbin. “Richie came off the Bon Jovi tour energized and we got together to write a couple of songs. The results were very good, so we kept writing more and decided to go in and record them. The recordings came out great, so Richie decided why not make this a solo record? There are eight songs in the can now, including a co-write with Bernie Taupin. We’ve started round two of sessions and hope to have a full album done by early spring.”

Sambora’s first solo outing was “Stranger in This Town” (1991), a critically acclaimed blues-influenced album that featured Eric Clapton playing lead guitar on the song “Mr Bluesman,” backed by Sambora on acoustic guitars. “Undiscovered Soul” was Sambora’s second solo album, released in 1998 and produced by Don Was.

Rumors of Jon's death have been greatly exaggerated.

What a weird evening. I come home to Facebook statuses saying "I HOPE Jon Bon Jovi isn't dead!" and 'Can it be true?!" and "Come on, people, stop spreading lies - Jon's livin' on a prayer!"

Confused as heck, I did the only rational thing to do in this day and age.

I Googled it.

Turns out some moron thought it would be funny to spread the rumor that JBJ was found in a coma in a Jersey hotel, taken to the hospital, and later died of cardiac arrest.

Shortly afterward, a photo appeared of the new angelic Jon in front of a Christmas tree with a handwritten sign:



He still looks damn good for a guy who died of cardiac arrest.

New Year's Eve song MP3s

So who HASN'T seen New Year's Eve? I must admit, I melted over Jon in that movie like my little teenage heart used to. The love affair is back.

Here are the songs he performs for the movie - plus a little bonus, because I LOVED Lea Michele's performance of Auld Lang Syne. It was simply glorious.


1. Jon Bon Jovi: Have A Little Faith In Me

2. Jon Bon Jovi: Can't Turn You Loose

3. Lea Michele: Auld Lang Syne

Advil: Something for the Pain

Jon's new Advil commercial has debuted - check it out!


Watch here

JBJ interview about NYE movie

Vogue thinks JBJ is a bad dresser

But then again, they think 99% of the planet dresses poorly. Keeping up with the fashion times is next to impossible, with it changing every 6 months.

They've taken an extraordinary amount of time to highlight his "poor" dress choices and compare it to a style they think he should wear - complete with photos, and an endearing message.

Source



From Vogue.com:

There’s one thing we don’t understand about the world of rockstars. They rise to fame because they are able to embody – like nobody else – the spirit of an era. They have it in them (in their movements, in their voice, in the way they wink) and they even act on it: they write lyrics, music that comes to life precisely because they shape in front of our eyes what we feel in every moment, our frustrations just like our uncertainties. Their fame, in other words, comes from their inborn capability of representing the present. And this is precisely true especially about fashion, which they wear like nobody else, defining it as only they know how, a metaphor of the moment.

Then something happens and the cd skips. Like in Sorrentino’s latest movie, This must be the Place, the rockstar continues to drag on his usual part, detached from the world that evolves and imprisoned in a role that he has created all by him self. We’re bordering a Pirandello-esque humor.

Even without arriving to the extremes portrayed by Sean Penn, Jon Bon Jovi is quite near this group. He still remains a worldwide important star (he continues to go on in impressive tours and catching the attention of millions of people thanks to appearances at events and TV series). His humanitarian commitment is more than praiseworthy (we’re referring especially to his association, the Soul Foundation). Yet we can’t really call him any longer an icon of the present.

As proof of it, it’s enough to look at his clothing, which is still built around leather jackets, boots and “comfort” jeans, as trendy in the early Nineties. The look was fashionable twenty years ago, when we were actually exited about flared leather pants, to the point even Armani showed them on the catwalks. Unluckily, though, our passion has long burnt out and has no longer nothing new to say. Plus, on Bon Jovi it even has a comic effect. It seems as if he’s trying to convince himself he is after all a star. Or, perhaps, it’s a marketing strategy for the upcoming movie New Year’s Eve, where he plays the part of a rockstar in a love story with Katherine Heigl (who should also take a step forward and shape up or she will end up the rest of her life in the stereotype of the romantic frustrated woman of the beginning of the century).

A reason for which we feel obligated to offer some corrections. If you really want to continue wearing a leather jacket let it be in chamois or with zippers and intriguing openings. If you really want to combine black with blue, the latter should be a smoky midnight blue. If you are wearing an elegant jacket, let it be in velvet and tapered as a glove. Pay attention to the fit and forget about hair dye, which doesn’t suit you. Even Zac Efron has given up that self-confident fringe. So choose a short haircut.

If you want to stay a rockstar, you must embrace change, Mr. Jon Bon Jovi.

Ironic last remark, Vogue, considering Bon Jovi has been around for 30 years - and the only way that could have been accomplished was by embracing change. Their music has morphed with the times, and that's the most important part. Or so most of us think.

Jon image from New Year's Eve

In case you haven't seen it. ;)

Richie in the spotlight

So apparently the rumors are true: Richie confirmed that he and Denise Richards are back together again.

From contactmusic.com:

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has revealed he is ''really happy'' to be back with Denise Richards - who he split from in 2007.

Richie Sambora is "really happy" to be back with Denise Richards.

The Bon Jovi guitarist and the actress dated for around a year before splitting in 2007 but recently rekindled their romance and the rocker couldn't be more thrilled.

When asked on the red carpet of Alicia Keys' Keep a Child Alive Black Ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, he said: "Things are good. I'm really happy."

Since giving their relationship another go, Richie and Denise have been on several dates and things are going really well.
And the 52-year-old musician isn't worried about what the 'Wild Things' star's ex-husband Charlie Sheen thinks of the romance.

When quizzed if he was worried about any potential negative feelings from the actor, Richie said: "No. He's a friend of mine. I haven't talked to him. I'm sure it'll be fine."

Denise has two daughters, Sam, seven, and six-year-old Lola, with Charlie and adopted four-month-old daughter Eloise.

The 40-year-old actress has previously revealed that her feelings for Richie never went away, even though they broke up.

Writing in her memoir, 'The Real Girl Next door', she said: "Richie and I shared an easiness I hadn't before had. We were able to be open, honest, and completely authentic with each other, with no judgment.

"I don't regret my relationship with him. I learned hard lessons from our journey together. My heart may have been bruised, but it was pure. Richie is a wonderful man. He came into my life when I needed him and he needed me. We'll always have that bond."

And in other news, he performed with Usher at Alicia Keys' Black Ball for "Keep A Child Alive" - a charity that helps children with HIV/Aids in Africa and India.




(I actually like Usher, but man - he makes worse painful faces onstage than Jon!)

Soul Kitchen opening

It was streamed yesterday, but I was working all day and missed it. So for everyone else like me, here you go!

Reader's Digest contest: help me get published!

Okay, Jovi readers, I need your help! I entered the Reader's Digest "Your Life" contest a few months ago, and the deadline is now approaching. You can help me win $2,500-25,000 and a chance at publication if you vote for my entry -- and I'll be eternally grateful!! :)

(You have to be on Facebook to vote!)

VOTE HERE!

My entry:

"Blame It On the Love of Bon Jovi"

They say music changes lives. I'm living proof: a San Diego girl and HUGE fan of the band Bon Jovi, I joined their fan club in 2004 at age 15. Through it, I have attended 15 concerts, and traveled to eight states and seven countries in seven years. I have forged countless, treasured friendships with people all over the world, from San Diego to New York to Germany to Japan...and fell in love with a guy from the Netherlands, whom I dated long-distance for 4 ½ years. I recently graduated college and moved to the Netherlands to be with him. I am embarking on a month-long European backpacking trip in a few months, learning Dutch, and pursuing a travel writing career. My life story is yet to be written, but so far it's been quite an enjoyable ride – and I can't wait for the next adventure on the horizon.

Special "treat" from Soul Foundation

In case you didn't get the email...

The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has a special treat in store for you and there is only one way to find out what it is! Be sure to tune in to JBJSF.org on Wednesday, October 19th at 1:00PM EDT. You won't want to miss this!

As a non-profit organization, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation is dedicated to bringing about positive change and helping the lives of those in need. The Foundation has taken their commitment to their community one step further with the establishment of their current project, the JBJ Soul Kitchen. As a community restaurant, the JBJ Soul Kitchen works to provide healthy and delicious meals to those in need.

Who wants to bet it's the Advil commercial and/or opening of the Soul Kitchen?? ;)

Vote JBJ as Hottest Man of 2011

Droolers of "HRH" unite. The UK site, SoFeminine, is holding a contest for the 100 hottest men of 2011 -- and one celebrity winner, chosen by the fans, will be crowned king.

JBJ is up for the running (who's surprised?), and currently has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars.

You can vote only once per day, so get to it!

Happy Birthday Tico!

Wishing the happiest of birthdays to the King of Hitmen, the King of Cool...Hector Samuel Juan Tico Torres!

Vote Bon Jovi as best tour of the year

Eventful and Billboard are hosting the "Best Tour of the Year" award, and you can vote for Bon Jovi!

You can only vote once, and voting ends November 7th, 2011.

And the nominees are...not Bon Jovi.

Again.

The nominees for the 2012 Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame have been announced, and once again Bon Jovi is missing from the list. Jon was right: never a critic's darling, that's for sure.

The full list includes:

Beastie Boys
The Cure
Donovan
Eric B. & Rakim
Guns 'N Roses
Heart
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
Freddie King
Laura Nyro
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Rufus with Chaka Khan
The Small Faces/The Faces
The Spinners
Donna Summer
War

From USAtoday.com:

An act must have released its first single or album 25 years ago to qualify for induction. More than 500 voters will determine who makes the hall. New members will be inducted at a ceremony at the hall of fame in Cleveland on April 14. Individual tickets for the Induction Ceremony will go on sale to the public in December 2011. Visit rockhall.com for details.

What do you think of the nominees this time around?

What do I think?

Merh.

JBJ doing an ad for Advil

Apparently Jon is filming an ad for Advil (which I assume is only in the States).

*For international readers: Advil is an anti-inflammatory pain medication.

From redbankgreen.com

A production crew swarmed the Jon Bon Jovi-supported Soul Kitchen on Monmouth Street in Red Bank Monday morning as the pop star prepared to shoot a commercial for pain-reliever Advil that will tout the not-yet-officially-open pay-what-you-can restaurant.

So what will this commercial entail? And what does it have to do with the Soul Kitchen?

Lisbon full stream

I found the entire stream in one video (in HD), so I am sharing that one with you all now instead of several parts. Huge thanks to swimminginthesand82!

ALL Circle Tour set lists available

When the Circle Tour first started, I told you I'd try to post the set lists for every show. Well, I certainly missed a few and was late with some others, but overall I almost always was able to obtain them and post them on time. I couldn't have done it, though, without help from you all - the fans, the readers, the supporters. Thank you all for your emails, messages, comments, and help throughout the last two years -- not just for set lists, but with everything else that allows me to maintain this blog. It is MUCH appreciated!

I have gathered all the set lists now, and linked them to the "Circle Tour: Set Lists" page you see in the above menu bar. Simply click on the links to go directly to those set lists - and if you see a "*" next to one of them, it means I went to that show, so you get a full-length review as well as the set list. ;)

I hope this helps you, and I hope you continue to read Jovi Bits. Thanks!! xx

Lisbon, Portugal stream videos (pt. 4 added)

Told you I'd try to get it for you. ;)

Huge thanks to serpephone on YouTube for these. She only has the first 45 minutes up so far, so I'll keep checking for the latest and uploading accordingly.

I ended up missing it as well, so now I know what I'm doing today! ;)

The Circle Tour Finale: Portugal encore presentation

Very cool! Bonjovi.com and Facebook.com/BonJovi will be airing the final show of the Circle Tour (filmed in Lisbon, Portugal on July 31, 2011) tomorrow night (September 21).

There will be 3 airings, seemingly to allow fans worldwide to tune in:

First Airing: 8:00PM EST (Sydney) // 7:00PM JST (Tokyo) // 6:00AM EDT (New York)

Second Airing: 8:00PM BST (London) // 3:00PM EDT

Third Airing: 8:00PM EDT // 7:00PM CDT // 6:00PM MDT // 5:00PM PDT

Tune into their web site or Facebook page to watch. And if you can't make any of these airings, I guarantee someone will record it and I'll try to post it here afterward. ;)

Have fun!

NFL Kickoff with JBJ

Set your DVRs! From rbr.com:

To celebrate the kickoff of the 2011 NFL season, NFL Network and NBC Sports will present a one-hour NFL Kickoff 2011: Back to Football special Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8 PM ET on NBC.

Features Jon Bon Jovi performing 'America the Beautiful' from NYC firehouse & kickoff highlights of Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum & Maroon 5. NFL Network & NBC Sports talent preview Week 1.

To celebrate the kickoff of the 2011 NFL season, NFL Network and NBC Sports will present a one-hour NFL Kickoff 2011: Back to Football special Saturday, Sept. 10 at 8 PM ET on NBC.

The show, a joint NFL Network/NBC Sports production, will feature football, music and a tribute to 9/11 first responders.

Richie on MDA Telethon (Sept. 4, 2011)

Missed Richie on the MDA telethon, like I did?

YouTube came to the rescue, again. ;)

Enjoy!

New Richie solo album?

A little video of Richie and Nikki from a UStream chat last night has been floating around cyberspace...with rumors of a new Nikki record, a new clothing line...and a new Richie solo record!

However, the video has been removed from YouTube, and Nikki has requested on Twitter that all links to it be removed from all social media.

I was able to see it before it disappeared completely, but I think I know why it did.

Nikki did most of the talking in the video, and after her announcement about her new record and their new clothing line "NikkiRich," she really put her foot in her mouth and said there were "exciting things on the horizon for Richie too".

Richie played dumb, and Nikki turned away from the camera with her hand over her mouth to whisper to him - to "remind" him.

To be honest, Richie seemed annoyed. But I think he knew he had to perform a bit of quick damage control, so he DID then say that he was working on new songs for a future solo Richie record...but made it plain that they were working on her stuff first.

So. Since it came straight from him, I believe it. But the timeframe could be anything from a year to ten before we see anything come of it. And we still have to wait for OFFICIAL confirmation of it - since this seemed like a big slip on Nikki's part. lol

Still, it's great to know he's FINALLY considering/working on something!!

Now, Rich, did my question on Extra have any influence on this decision of yours? ;) Hehehehe! (Kidding.)

Concert for NYC on VH1 - 9/11

Thanks for this, Jamie!

VH1 is set to air an encore performance of "The Concert For New York City: Ten Years Later," a benefit concert that honored and supported the victims and heroes of one of our nation's most tragic events. Actor/director/filmmaker Ed Burns will host the re-broadcast of this historic show. Not seen since its original live telecast from Madison Square Garden on Saturday, October 20th, 2001, this 6-hour special will air in its entirety, commercial free Sunday, September 11 from 4PM-10PM ET/PT.

A star-studded event, "The Concert of New York City" brought together entertainers, politicians, athletes and 5,000 members of the New York Fire, Police and Rescue crews and their families. Celebrity performances and appearances include: Bill and Hillary Clinton, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, The Who, Sheryl Crow, Paul McCartney, Jay-Z, former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Jim Carrey and many, many more. The Robin Hood Relief Fund, created by the Robin Hood Foundation, donates to various charities, including the Twin Towers Fund created by Rudolph Giuliani, benefitting the victims from September 11th.

Read more: http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/VH1s-The-Concert-For-New-York-City-Will-Air-Commerical-Free-911-20110824#ixzz1W83hDd4x

You can also purchase the original program on DVD at Amazon.

Richie at Camp Pendleton, San Diego - 8/19/11

Richie on Extra (August 2011)

I'm a few days late with this, but as many of you know, I just made the huge leap/move from California to Europe! I just landed yesterday and am still struggling with jet lag, time warps, and a total fog of confusion. LOL. Just caught up with the Jovi world today (which is Saturday morning in the Netherlands, but Friday night back home...oy)

Anyway, Richie was on Mario Lopez's Extra! at the Grove in Hollywood - the same place where I met him last October. I would have loved to be there this time too, and he was at Camp Pendleton in San Diego (my home!) Friday afternoon! Of COURSE he'd make California appearances after I leave California, right?

Anyway, here's a video of the gig -- and some pictures, courtesy of The Goddess Hathor and Catte. Thanks, ladies! Richie looks AMAZING.

Enjoy!