There’s a reason this is the biggest rock band of all time, selling over 130 million albums. They’re a juggernaut and their songs have become part of the fabric of our lives, with classics like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” still rocking arenas.
But with the coronavirus pandemic causing a lot of big-name acts to put their touring on hold, Bon Jovi has stepped into the breach. They’ve rescheduled their 2020 tour for spring of 2022 and were at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel on Friday, opening up with a high-energy version of ‘Always’ that had the crowd going wild.
Jon’s voice, though, is not what it used to be. The singer, who has never been a particularly overpowering vocalist to begin with, now sounds like he’s struggling with the old nagging voice problems that can plague performers of any age. He sounded off-key throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show, which included the band’s biggest hits from across the decades.
And yet, he still managed to get the crowd excited by throwing his head back and strutting around the stage. And he did so even when it seemed like his voice was going to collapse on him, a sure sign that he is indeed getting older and his body can no longer withstand the strain of performing live.
The other members of the band did their best to pick up the slack and deliver a quality performance. Lead guitarist Phil X was a solid replacement for Richie Sambora, and keyboardist David Bryan’s trick of playing both piano and keyboard at the same time was a lot of fun to watch. And the crowd went wild for every one of Jon’s hip-shakes and struts.
But, even with all the positives, it’s hard to see why anyone would want to pay big bucks to go see the band if Jon’s singing isn’t up to par. Maybe it’s just a cliche to complain about the unsteadiness of a legendary performer’s voice at a concert, but at this point, it’s just becoming too obvious.
The next time you want to take in a Bon Jovi concert, consider buying tickets from Seat Unique, a leading online marketplace for premium concerts and sports events. Their tickets are guaranteed to be 100% authentic and come with a money-back guarantee. They also offer VIP packages that include exclusive hospitality lounge access and private entrances so you can skip the line. Get yours today and sing along to all of their hit songs! And don’t forget to buy yourself some tees and hats from their online store. Happy rocking!