THERE are just two weeks left before the mighty Bon Jovi return to the UAE and for a busy al fresco night at the du Forum.
The American superstars land in Abu Dhabi on October 1 to deliver a welcome catalogue of stadium-filling rock hits.
The American superstars land in Abu Dhabi on October 1 to deliver a welcome catalogue of stadium-filling rock hits.
CROWD PLEASER: Jon Bon Jovi still knows how to please the masses
But ahead of Jon Bon Jovi and pals’ Yas Island landing let’s look at some of the facts and the numbers that have made them a one-band industry.
Tickets have been shifting fast since the show went on sale in early June – no surprise for an enduring rock act that has plundered the globe’s singles and album charts for a generation.
Led by evergreen, charismatic Jon Bon Jovi, around 30 years in the business has seen the band sell a staggering 130 million albums worldwide.
In August they added to their 12-album haul with ‘Burning Bridges’, their first without long-term guitarist Richie Sambora.
And with landmark hits such as ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, ‘Runaway’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ and ‘It’s My Life’ in the locker, Bon Jovi have long been a live favourite with music built to be played loud and live.
Since their early days in New Jersey, the band have played 2,900 concerts to at least 55 countries around the globe, entertaining more than 34 million fans along the way.
They have also been recognized with 21 music awards including wins at the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
The band were, perhaps, unlikely to eclipse the combined 50 million sales of first two albums ‘Slippery When Wet’ and ‘New Jersey’, but they've remainded main one of the world’s biggest live draws, selling 2,600,000 gig tickets in 2013 alone and named the number one touring act in the world four times in the last five years.
Led by evergreen, charismatic Jon Bon Jovi, around 30 years in the business has seen the band sell a staggering 130 million albums worldwide.
In August they added to their 12-album haul with ‘Burning Bridges’, their first without long-term guitarist Richie Sambora.
And with landmark hits such as ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’, ‘Runaway’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ and ‘It’s My Life’ in the locker, Bon Jovi have long been a live favourite with music built to be played loud and live.
Since their early days in New Jersey, the band have played 2,900 concerts to at least 55 countries around the globe, entertaining more than 34 million fans along the way.
They have also been recognized with 21 music awards including wins at the Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
The band were, perhaps, unlikely to eclipse the combined 50 million sales of first two albums ‘Slippery When Wet’ and ‘New Jersey’, but they've remainded main one of the world’s biggest live draws, selling 2,600,000 gig tickets in 2013 alone and named the number one touring act in the world four times in the last five years.
ROCK OF AGES: Bon Jovi remain one of the world's biggest touring bands 30 years into their career
Ahead of their du Arena show - part of their 2015 ‘Bon Jovi Live!’ tour – we’ve gathered a few facts and figures you may not have known about the band on and off the road.
* Bon Jovi were originally going to be called Johnny Electric but the band decided to take on Jon Bon Jovi’s real name ‘Bongiovi’
* Jon Bon Jovi used to be a janitor at the recording studio his cousin owned - that’s where he recorded his first professional track ‘R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas’
* In 2000, Bon Jovi was the last band to ever play at the old Wembley Stadium in London
* Jon’s good looks - and acting skills – have seen him appear in several movies, including Young Guns II, Moonlight and Valentino, Little4 City, Homegrown and Pay it Forward, as well as TV shows such as Ally McBeal
* The singer, - who has said he is related to legendary crooner Frank Sinatra - runs the non-profit restaurant Soul Kitchen in New Jersey as part of his JBJ Soul Foundation
* After three decades working together, Bon Jovi’s contract is ending with Mercury Records. Jon was actually the only member to sign with the record label, while his band colleagues were considered his employees
* On tour, 900 Cups of coffee are made daily, alongside 425 meals prepared and served to the crew
* There are 78 full-time touring crew, with 100-plus hired locally for each day on site
* Bon Jovi were originally going to be called Johnny Electric but the band decided to take on Jon Bon Jovi’s real name ‘Bongiovi’
* Jon Bon Jovi used to be a janitor at the recording studio his cousin owned - that’s where he recorded his first professional track ‘R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas’
* In 2000, Bon Jovi was the last band to ever play at the old Wembley Stadium in London
* Jon’s good looks - and acting skills – have seen him appear in several movies, including Young Guns II, Moonlight and Valentino, Little4 City, Homegrown and Pay it Forward, as well as TV shows such as Ally McBeal
* The singer, - who has said he is related to legendary crooner Frank Sinatra - runs the non-profit restaurant Soul Kitchen in New Jersey as part of his JBJ Soul Foundation
* After three decades working together, Bon Jovi’s contract is ending with Mercury Records. Jon was actually the only member to sign with the record label, while his band colleagues were considered his employees
* On tour, 900 Cups of coffee are made daily, alongside 425 meals prepared and served to the crew
* There are 78 full-time touring crew, with 100-plus hired locally for each day on site
DETAILS:
TICKETS to the show are available via all Virgin Megastores across the UAE and from www.ticketmaster.ae
General Admission tickets cost AED 395 (AED 495 for early entry); VIP Platform AED 695; Golden Circle AED 895 (AED 995, early entry); Tree House AED 1,095; Platinum Table of 12 AED 15,000; Platinum Table of six AED 7,500
THIS year, GP race ticket holders can benefit from 20% discount on General Admission tickets through Y1 Access
FOR more information on all things Bon Jovi, visit www.BonJovi.com
FOR more information on the du Arena concert, visit www.thinkflash.ae
STAY up to date this concert season with FLASH Entertainment’s ThinkFlash App, providing fans ease of access to information about all FLASH events, exclusive content, special discounts and free giveaways
LOOK out for the support slot from local band Carl & The Reda Mafia (CnR). Led by Carl Frenais, Tarek Reda, Abimbola and Chris, the band is currently working on debut album ‘What The’, a fusion of funk jam, blues rock and rock n’ roll
TICKETS to the show are available via all Virgin Megastores across the UAE and from www.ticketmaster.ae
General Admission tickets cost AED 395 (AED 495 for early entry); VIP Platform AED 695; Golden Circle AED 895 (AED 995, early entry); Tree House AED 1,095; Platinum Table of 12 AED 15,000; Platinum Table of six AED 7,500
THIS year, GP race ticket holders can benefit from 20% discount on General Admission tickets through Y1 Access
FOR more information on all things Bon Jovi, visit www.BonJovi.com
FOR more information on the du Arena concert, visit www.thinkflash.ae
STAY up to date this concert season with FLASH Entertainment’s ThinkFlash App, providing fans ease of access to information about all FLASH events, exclusive content, special discounts and free giveaways
LOOK out for the support slot from local band Carl & The Reda Mafia (CnR). Led by Carl Frenais, Tarek Reda, Abimbola and Chris, the band is currently working on debut album ‘What The’, a fusion of funk jam, blues rock and rock n’ roll
