Our house wife rocker no. 1 is back again in Munich. Wrong - he's actually no.2 after Bryan Adams, who is in front of him, what's up to this. But well, that guy we got here in about 4 weeks. So let's say with no.2, who fills the huge Olympic Stadium here in Munich. And that means - 68.000 sold tickets.Exept Bon Jovi only a few more artists can manage this, as for instance the Rolling Stones or U2.
Housewife rocker - because of Jovi's really commercial music which goes well down at the generation who's grown up with them and who are in their late 40s and early 50s now. But also granny and granddad like songs such as 'Bed Of Roses'. And the youth is also here rocking still to 'Runaway Girl' and discover Bon Jovi for themselves. So, this is a big generation clash here. And the receipy is perfect. (by the way, also Status Quo belong to those kind of rockers)


However, Bon Jovi are touring again because of their Best of... Album, which was released last fall. And after guitarist Richie Sambora had to take a break for about 2 months for yet another rehab, the band had to play the US gigs with a substitude guitarist. And it was not sure 'till some days ago, whether Sambora would be well again for Europe. And many fans over here, have not bought tickets, because they don't wanna see Bon Jovi without him. But don't worry, Richie has made it and is back again and ready for action. 

Of course tons of celebritys are here again for this event. You can see the Klitschkos at the V.I.P. area as well as politicians and members of the FC Bayern soccer club. But what idiot said, that rockband Cincerella are gonna be here? Because that's not the case, unless they are in the normal audiance with paid tickets, which I doubt. But hey, who cares....




And then there are these other V.I.P. guests, who have paid for one ticket - see below ...

So they received a glas champaign pre show and a tour book and this overdimensional VIP pass - for the so called Diamond Circle  front of stage. There you can also spot all those celebrities who surely haven't paid a single cent for all that....

What's up to the press and us photographers, Bon Jovi has gone a bit down from his high horse, as we say so. No photocontracts need to be signed or any other torture...


 for this lense I have to win in the national lottery first....


Support comes from the Breakers from Denmark. And some people might ask again - who the hell is that? And second, how have they got on the Bon Jovi tour. Well that's quickly explained, as this group has been discovered by none other than Steven Van Zandt (Little Steven of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band). And that one again is a good pal of Bon Jovi. You once again see: everythign is up to good connections. Pre show I'm doing a little interview with the singer Toke Nisted, who is telling me about the band. I mean, you never know, maybe they are the superstars of tomorrow....


For the little smalltalk with Toke, click on his picture
and listen via WMP - downloading time required - starting
off with a short musical intro)

Well, mind me, this denish guys are on their way now for nine years. And their selftitled 3rd album was released last january on Steven Van Zandt's own label Wicked Cool Records. 


The Breakers  call their biggest musicial influences the Rolling Stones and the Faces. So this here is straight Rock with some soul elements inbetween. Live on Stage the group seem pretty selfconfident, and they are trying hard to catch some attention. This ain't easy with such a large crowd, where almost everybody is focused on Bon Jovi only. The other risk is, that supportacts often gets a little lost on such a huge stage. Let's put it that way: My first impression of the Breakers is a rather good one indeed, as they seem to have really fun up there. But I don't dare to criticice them deeper. Because in my opinion, you can only discover the skills and talents of such a band in a smaller frame such as a headliner club show. 
But who cares right now, let's have fun. I'm sure their name will get stuck in some people's memory here. And if Steven VanZandt is still with them in the future, then a larger popularity is only a question of time. 
http://www.thebreakers.dk/

 Within the break we get a little entertainment the american way. An american host with a wavy cute hairstyle and cool sunglasses, is interviewing guests in the Diamond Circle, putting himself in the best light of attention, asking naive questions. All that the rest of the stadium gets to see on the two big screens right and lefthandside of the stage. And at some point we even see wellknown faces, such as that one on the pic below. Yeeeess Brigitte go for it... our biggest Bon Jovi fan here in Munich... 

 




March of the Toreros ehm... sorry  of us photographers through the Marathon Tor.....

And then it's getting exiting, as we all can watch a few limousines driving through this door straight right to the stage, and the stars of tonight jump out those cars, climbing up the stairs to the stag. But hold on.... didn't I spot those limousines before right inside the Marathon door ?(pic above) After getting some informatin it's clear. The band has been here at the spot already for over 2 hours. But to catch up a little impression, they went for this short drive, which apparently seems pretty cool - just between you and me...

It's still daylight when Bon Jovi start their set pretty unspectacular... The whole stage outfit has shrinked a little, and instead of a bombastic make up, they are now going for a more simple style. Never mind, as long as Bon Jovi are standing up there, and the boss himself presents a smart red uniform and the unavoidable sunglasses. And those are not only there for sun protection. 

And he and Sambora stick to them, at least as long, as we photographers are in the pit for the first 2 songs. Mr. Sambora seems pretty well egain and there is no sign of bad conditions left. Sometimes I truly got the impression everything is only part of a huge promo machinery.

But fans don't care anyway. They are up there Richie, Jon and Tico and David Bryan.


(c)  


The rest are tourmusicians. The stlist shows a greatest hits menue, well stirred and shaken, and granny dances with grandson to 'Little Runaway' and 'Bad Medicine'.

 

The darker the night comes along, the better the effects of this magic, including an extensive acoustic part, who is first performed by Jon only and later by all four of them on the outskirt of the Diamond Circle. Adn this goes down very well on the audiance. 



(c)  

After that, the last part is played again on the main stage. How much is actually live performed and what not, is an open question. But it is a fact, that Bon Jovi's stage time is a mere of 3 hours - 'till about 11 p.m. 
I have to say, I'm leaving the stadium early, as I know, that when leaving when everybody is leaving, you need another 2 hours to get out of the whole area.
Last statement is: Bon Jovi are the winners once again - and this with a Best of.... where literatually nothing can goes wrong. It's a tasty dish, simply cooked and nicely served.  It's been Bon Jovi one more time and that's it...
http://www.bonjovi.com 

This is the full Ustream Webcast from Munich, Germany on June 12, 2011