August 14, 1998
From Nina Knudsen
I've been a Bon Jovi lover since the first time i heard + saw "You give love a bad name",..and since that first day as a Bon Jovi freak i've said too my friends that one day i'll meet them. And my friends just said yeah right, and i know they laughed at me behind my back,..well 1993 was my time.!
I entered a competition on mtv and i won it like i said i would,..i sent in 141 postcards too though. But all the money i spent on stamps was worth it,..nothing in this world can ever compete with my heavenly dream days that i got with my heroes.
Well,..September 16th 1993 was the first day i meet my boys,..it was in Brussels,..and i was so nervous and so excited,..but i had no reason to be scared,..because when the Bon Jovi guys came and talked to me,...they were the sweetest, kindest, most wonderful down to earth rock band i've ever met. (And i have meet a few!) Well in Brussels i also met Billy Idol and a band from England called Little Angels,..i also met a lady there who were dating Richie at the time...!!! Well back to Bon Jovi,..before the show in Brussels,..i got to meet and greet with them, and i aslo was in their dressing room when they were given sales awards for over 50 000 sold of Keep the faith and my heavenly dream meeting doesn't stop there,..Bon Jovi's real tourmanager let ME be the tourmanager for the night and I, yes i got to escort them on stage,..it was soooo great,..i was on the other side with Bon Jovi, seeing the lights go down and my God,..Bon Jovi following me.!
I tell you it was just heaven,..not in my wildest dreams would i have thought i would have the chance to escort them on stage but thank God i did.!! And the show that night was just wonderful. And an hour or so after the show and the guys had rested a bit it was on the road,..yes i got to sit with them in their tour bus as we drove to the airport,..then i got to fly with them in their private plane over to England,..and on the plane with the Bon Bon's God,..i can't believe i'¨ve been sooooo close to them,..i was given a present from the boys wich Jon sweetiepie gave to me,..and i got a pair of Tico's drumsticks,..and some guitar picks from Richie and i also have Alec's pen and guitar pick.!!! AND not to forget lots of great memorable pix of the guys and me. And i sat in Tico's lap on the plane too.!!! Not the whole way. :-)
Well when we landed in England the night to September 17th 1993 we then got in another bus that would take us to our hotels. And on the ride to the hotels both Alec and Dave fell asleep,..they were so cute to look at. And Rich and Tico 'flirted' with me,..and sweet Jon sat beside me and we talked a while.....God i can't believe what i've been a part of,..i'll never ever forget these days with my heroes. I love Jon and the others FOREVER. Well,..when we came to the hotel Bon Jovi were staying we said goodnight and they were so happy and kind to me all the time,..even though they were tired,..Bon Jovi are the best. Well,..for those of you who think this was it,..hold on because there's more.
On September 17th the Bon Jovi guys had a day off,..so then i didn't meet them, then i spent my day at the mtv studios in England. But on the 18th of September i meet the Bon Bon's again,..i saw them arrive with security backstage at the milton keynes bowl,..and it was so heavenly to meet them again. I'm so lucky if i may say so myself.!! Well when it was time to meet the boys again i stood first in the meet and greet 'room',..and when they came in, Jon came first, and he and the others pointed their fingers towards me and said,"oh look it's Nina our tourmanager." And they all came over to me and talked and posed on pix with me and singend stuff. God this was sooo great,..and just being in the same room as the boys,..it blew me away. And the show at the bowl that night was so magical,..just like the days i got in the wonderful dream world of the Bon Jovi's.!!!!!! But this wasn't just a wonderful dream,,,it was totally real,..and i've got the pix and the memories to prove it. And i know that one day in the future there's another chance for me to meet Bon Jovi again. -At least my king Jon.
Well,..tha's about it,..i hope you all enjoyed reading my story,..and to those of you who have't had the chance to meet the guys yet,..just believe in your dreams and hold on to them and they will come true,..tha's why mine did. Jon and the boys are just the best ever,..i love them always. Jon you rock my world. And i'm so happy for you that you've got a great family. You truly are heaven Jon. Lots of Love Nina Knudsen , Norway.
From StephanieMy name is Stephanie, and I had two wonderful experiences with Bon Jovi. The first was last year at the Christmas concert when I asked Jon if I could personaly give him a drawing I'd made for them (I'm an art major) and he said yes...after briefly hesitating. It was pretty large, but I got to hand it to him on stage, and he looked at me with his baby blue eyes and smiled. When he had the poster in his hands he turned around on stage and looked at it right away. I was so touched. Plus there is a photo on the internet of him holding it...sigh...
The second is in July I went to his house to try and meet him and wouldn't you know it, Tico and Eva drive up. I ALMOST DIED!!! About a half an hour later, Jon, Tico, and Eva drive out in Jon's Mercedes, and he STOPS!! He signed my two pictures, and I got a picture of him. It was so great. Unfortunately he wasn't in a good mood because this was just days after Versace was murdered...so sad...but it was a moment I'll always remember. There's alway nextime, where I hope that I can get a picture with him.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.....LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL.
From Laura StevensI'm just sending you a story of when I met Jon in hope you will put it on your web site so here it goes!
The best time I have ever met Jon was Backstage at the Carlsberg Concert on 16th August 1997. It was the best day of my life!! I won Backstage tixx on Radio 1 (English radio station) for a meet and greet with Jon, as you can imagine I went a little mad!!
Anyway heres the story of what happened when I met him. I got picked up from my house at 3:00pm and was chauffer driven to Wembley Stadium. I was'nt due to meet Jon till 6:00pm so I hung around, had a few drinks etc. When 6:00pm arrived I went to the place to meet Jon. There were only 5 of us having a meet and greet with him which made it even better! When Jon came out he said to us all "Hey how ya doin'?" and shook our hands. By this time i was a nervous wreck!! Then he signed some pics for me. As he was signing one of the photos he asked me where I had got it from and I could'nt rememnber! In the end I did and I said Rock Circus. We then had our pic done together and he put his arm round me and I put my arm round him ( His shirt was sooo silky!!). After we'd had our pic done I gave Jon a pressie some Jovi mates and I had bought him (a Harley Davidson telephone!!) and he said "Thanks Laura" when I gave it to him (Jon remembered my name!!) and then he said goodbye and went. Unfortunatly I was too shy to ask Jon to unwrap the present so I dont know what his reaction was so if anyone out there knows please contact me!
That was the best day of my life and the sixth time I met Jon, I hope I get many more chances to do this in the future!,
Laura Stevens
From HeatherMEETING JON ON MARCH 2, 1995
It was that time of the year - it was Jon Bon Jovi's birthday, and a couple of us wanted to experience his birthday at his house. For years, people have gone and say that he comes out if he is home and gets gifts from the fans that show up. So my friends and I decided to go. We all got together at my house and headed out to New Jersey.
We got to Jon's around 8:30 AM. I parked my car and we all got out. We noticed that Jon's gate was all decorated for his birthday. Around the gate on the bushes and trees were decorations of balloons, streamers, and signs that said, of course, "Happy Birthday". As more and more people came (the cars stretched down the street as far as we could see!), we were wondering when Jon was going to come out.
His gate opened and we saw Dorothea go out of the house in the Mercedes. Later, we saw a truck come up the street. It was Tico! He looked at everyone in amazement! He was probably shocked to see so many people there! He got out of his truck when he parked it in the driveway and waved to a couple of us. I then saw him go in the house. Now if only Jon would come out... We were all getting pretty cold, so we got back in my car. I was going to turn on the heat so we could warm up. As soon as we all got in my car and I closed my door, we saw a lot of people run up to Jon's driveway.
That meant only one thing - Jon was coming out! Next thing I see is Jon at the top of his driveway looking at everyone. Doug, his groundskeeper was with him. It figured - just as we get in my car, Jon comes out! So we all got out of my car- very quickly! Of course everyone crowded around him. We decided to stay back because we knew he was going to get to us! I was taking some pictures of him alone and with some of my friends. I saw him open some gifts and I at one point looked over his shoulder to see what he got! Jon and I were close almost all the time - he was behind me, the next time he was aside of me, next time he was in front of me! I even got a good look at his wedding band when he was behind me posing for a picture with two girls. It was very nice! My one friend had Jon's gifts for him from us and he took them and thanked us. He gave them to Doug to hold and he signed an autograph for her and posed for a picture. He then went to my 2 other friends to sign stuff, and pose for pictures. Then, Dorothea came back in the Mercedes. Since almost everyone was on the driveway, Jon announced, "We all have to shift!"
Then, it was my turn and I first wished him a Happy Birthday" and then he signed an autograph for me. One of my friends got a picture of Jon and I when he was signing his autograph for me. We then posed for a picture and I wrapped my arm around his waist. He has a gorgeous smile in my picture! After that, everyone started singing "Happy Birthday" to him. He got so red in the face and was smiling the whole time! It was a nice time and Jon seemed to enjoy it. I got some more pictures of him. Before he left, he looked around the people and said, "Did I miss anyone?" He made sure that everyone got their chance with him. What a guy! It seemed like he had a nice birthday with us, the fans!!!
You can also view some of my great pictures from this day on my web page at: http://home.ptd.net/~bjrules/index.html under the title, "more of my Bon Jovi pictures"
There ya go...hope you liked reading it! Heather
From KrisIt's Kris writing for Down Under and I wanna share my greatest BJ experience with you. Actually there's two - there first one won't be that long, but the second well,....
Okay, it was 1993(Keep the Faith Tour) my three friends and I had booked a room in the same hotel as BJ. We had only been standing in the lobby for a few minutes when who should walk passed - Tico! (Tico has always been kinda special, since high school when each of our group had a fav. member). I was getting ready to go up the reception desk when my friend Natalie tapped me on the shoudler. I told her to keep quite, I was thinking! She nugged me again, then I saw him! He smiled and said G'day girls but we just stood there. Mouths open and all! We each had a camera and stuff to sign but we all just stood there! Total fools! But what a moment!
Then in 1995(These Days Tour) I was working for a women's magazine(and still am) and waiting for info on a BJ press conference. It finally came! But it was in Melbourne and I live in Sydney. I know most of you will probably be saying - So what! But to me, it was real scary. It was going to be my first press conference, in a different city and maybe the first time I was to meet the guys. To top it all off, I would be going alone. I always prefer to experience great moments with friends, somehow it would mean more. I told everyone, and they all thought I was crazy!
Don't let this opportunity go by, they said. So, the day before the press conference I told my editor I was going! My cousin, Tess, booked my ticket and I was on my way! I was so nervous but excited at the same time. I got to the venue an hour earlier and the band 1 hour late(so you can imagine how my nerves were by this point). I was sitting to the left of the raised platform in the front row. Great position! Finally, a guy from the touring company came out and announced the band members.
I didn't know how to react, I wasn't at a concert, so I couldn't jump up from my seat and start screaming/clapping. And I was representing That's Life!(the magazine - and promised to do a good job). But I will be honest, it was real hard, to keep me in my seat! Jon, sat down and was his cocky-self! He said, 'I'll have a cold beer and a burger please!' (The venue was in a pub). Of course everyone laughed! Okay, I know I've gone on for too long but I promise I will only mention a few of the highlights!
A reporter asked Richie a question, 'Mr Locklear is Heather here?' Richie replied: 'It's Mr Sambora to you' & proceeded to stand up and undo his fly. Oh my God! No he didn't show anything but it was a just to make a point and from my view it was pretty good! Of course I was taking photos, espcially of Tico who didn't have the table in front of him. But my camera stuffed up and no photos worked out, but that's another story. And yes, I've thought of killing myself!
Then it came for my question. It was the second last question asked, that's how long it took for my courage to show up! Anyway, I raised my hand to ask for the microphone and said, 'Hi, I'm Kris from That's Life! in Sydney, I just want to know what you guys are doing for Christmas?(it was November and my editor was doing a special about musicians for the Christmas edition.) Then there was complete silence. I felt like a such a fool! I hadn't wanted to ask that question but my editor had made me promise I would. And now that the guys weren't answering me, I wished I'd never asked for the mic. I thought, 10 years and you go silent on me!
Finally, (but it really was only a about a minute) David responded. 'We'll be home this year,' he said. Then Jon, started singing to me, 'I'll be home for Christmas', and I almost died. He even took his glass(wrap arounds) off to look at me and sing. I don't know how I am still alive. And there was no one else to share it with! But I do have an audio tape of the press conference and a photographer there was nice enough to send me a black and white pic of Jon(smiling) at the press conference. So, I haven't really met the guys but these experiences will stay will me, ALWAYS!
Sorry, it was too long but once I get started I can't stop. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!
Keep the Faith, Always
From LaneyBon Jovi music has been a part of my life for a very long time. I still can remember begging my dad to buy me NEW JERSEY , and when he finally put it in the cart I was the happiest girl ever .I also have very found memories of standing on my bed with a brush, comb ,can of hair spray or whatever I could find sing a long with Jon to the songs of NEW JERSEY.
When I first REALLY discovered how great Bon Jovi was I was just Really starting to get into music and the only other JOVI album I had was SLIPERRY WHEN WET . Eventually I bought all of Bon Jovi’s music And today mentally I am still that little girl who gets all excited about Bon Jovi. When I was a girl in JR. high. I never really fit in and was picked on very often so my BESTFREIND was the music from Bon Jovi. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed other music as well but Bon Jovi’s music was my true companion. As time went on Bon Jovi’s music was there through first boyfriends ,first broken hearts, lost friendships, family misfortune’s and a lot of other good and bad things.
I regret to say I never have had the pleasure to see Bon Jovi lIve or to meet them. I remember when Bon Jovi played in my town (during the NEW JERSEY period) but my parents couldn’t afford the ticket. That was one of the saddest days of my life. Especially the next day at school when everyone else had went. Something really weird that happened is that my dad got to see Bon Jovi a long time ago during Farm Aid which was also held in my town. He told me they did RUNAWAY and one other song which he doesn’t remember. I believe that if my dad could he would give me that moment of his life knowing how special it would be to me.
I still love Bon Jovi today and I KEEP THE FAITH that someday I will get to see Bon Jovi live and maybe if I am real lucky get to meet them. Even if I never do meet the guys are see them live I will always be thankful that I get to enjoy the beautiful music that Bon Jovi has created.
From JessicaI never personally met any one from the band but I have been a loyal fan since they came out, eventhough, I was 4 but , I knew what I liked. Anyway, my dad's friend had a party one night across the street from my house, when Bon Jovi was just starting, but not unknown, and Richie was there and my dad was having a whole convesation with him and making fun of his hair, and Richie even offered my father FREE AUTOGRAPHED stuff!!!! But my dad being the inconsiderate person thought that they were no body, knowing fullwell, that his daughter LOVED Bon Jovi, he turned him down! Can you believe that? Till this day he still brings that story up and I still yell at him for saying no and for making fun of Richie.
Well that's my story I hope you like it!
Good Luck!
From AllisonMy experience meeting Jon, although brief, was a VERY good one! It was right after the World Premiere of the Leading Man, here in Toronto at the 1996 Toronto International Film Festival. It was Sept.6, and after the show, my two (non-BJ fan) friends and I stumbled upon a back door to the theatre, which sort of dumped us out in an alley. We turned one corner, didn't see anything of interest, so we walked back the other way, turned a corner, and lo and behold, a limo was sitting there!
My friend asked the big guy standing next to the limo if he was waiting for Jon. After about ten minutes of looking at us, he replied "Maybe". We knew it meant yes, and I started freaking out. The chauffeur/bodyguard let us stand there.. and in about 5 minutes, out came jon!!!
I just stared, I was so in shock. He looked at us, and waved, and was about to get in the limo, when my friend said to him something along the lines of "hi, my friend here wants to take a picture with you". So he smiled at me and said "Come, come". He signed a piece of paper for me, took a great pic with me, and talked for a few minutes about the movie and nothing in particular really.
Then he was about to get in the limo, when my friend said... "Do you remember her, this is Allison Wosnick.." and he looked at me, and his face LIT up, and he smiled and shook my hand and said "it is a pleasure to meet you! I am so glad to see that that note got to you okay!!" (The thing about the note is a LONG story.. but basically.. he had some recollection of who I was). Then he waved and smiled one last time and got in his limo and drove off. *sigh*
And that is my GREAT experience meeting Jon. Best night of my life!!
From DivaJJMy friend called me up yesterday and he knows I love Jon, well, he told me that Jon was filming right off of Spring St. downtown and his friend Tony (not Bongiovi) is a grip on a video for him. I was like "your kidding". He said "no". So I screamed and I think I even cried! LOL I did not believe him totally though! So, today, he came by, picked me up and we went down to the shoot.
There was a young couple filming the first scenes with a baby hidden in the girls jacket. Then my radar went off and he was like two feet away from me. He was right there! I have met him like 5 times before, but each time I get so nervous and I want to talk but I always get quiet. Well, anyway, I saw this petite little girl next to him and then I realized it was Demi Moore! After about 15 minutes of watching him the director yelled for Jon and Demi get into position. They did and they walked together, Jon's arms around Demi and Demi holding a baby under her coat, into the back of a bread bakery like 4 times, they went too slow, too fast, then one take Jon went right past the door that he had gone into 4 times before that! The whole crowd laughed and Jon took a bow and was embarassed, it was really cute! I loved it!
I did notice that he was wearing his wedding ring and he took a call from Dot while he was there. He had about 11 people in his personal entourage and one of his huge body guards yelled "wife" to him and he came and got the phone. They finished wrapping at like 6pm or a little after that. Jon left real promptly. He hopped into a black car real fast with his bodyguards and sped off as soon as they said wrap. Tony, my friends friend, said this was the 5th day of shooting. They are shooting in Brooklyn tomorrow at a studio for interiors and there are 5 days left after that. This is for the mini movie. Last weekend, Jon was filming in the HOTEL CHELSEA which is a legendary hotel here in Manhatten that is right down the block from me, he filmed there early evenings and nights last weekend. My dad saw him but I was away for Easter (and killing myself over it).
I took about 3 or 4 pictures because I got there late, like 5 pm, so I took a few when I could! I cannot wait to see how they came out! He looked really good. He was wearing a button down shirt with black jeans and his black leather jacket similar to KTF. His eyes were shining and he was just awesome looking! Took my breath away. I did not get to chat with him though! :-( BUT, he did come over when I took the first picture of him (the flash caught his eye) and he came over and said "You go to Katie right" or something like that, and I said "Yup". Katie is my vocal Coach who also happens to be his off and on, when he is preparing for a tour or recording. So I was flying high off that! HE REMEMBERED ME! I could not believe it! He amazes me, I love him! He remembered me the last time I saw him too!
That was my day folks! I thought my friend would be playing a joke on me, so I was afraid that it was not true! But It was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
Life is really good right now! I am flying! He is just prescious and I am so thankful that I was there!!!!!!! There were a lot of paparzzi though! LOL And I thought they were following me! LOL NOT! Sorry this is so long but I thought you'd all like to hear! Thanks for your patience with my babbling! I am just so EXCITED!
KTF
From CynMarz Well, I actually made it to Chicago, got tickets and was treated to one of my overall best JBJ moments!!!! The show actually didn't start until about 9:50 & ended about an hour later, he said he would play longer (it was a great crowd!), but the police warned him to be done at 11:00. He asked if he was arrested if we would all come visit him, everyone yelled Yes, but he said good-bye anyway.
I'll try to tell as much as I can without rambling too much!
First, he was wearing Black knit pants and a white shirt w/his black jacket. (We were no more than 8 ft. from him, in fact at one pt. of the show he went to take his jacket off and handed his guitar to one of the girls(In front ) to hold for him, he was great. He was really loose and seemed to be enjoying himself.
Set-list:(and I have the actual set-list) Everyword is a piece of my heart, Queeen of N.O., Ugly, MIC, Destination anywhere(one of my favorites), Blaze, Janie, Naked, August, Faith & Its Just Me,(was supposed to do Sleep, but ran out of time)
Performed most of the new CD, everything , the sound & band & of course Jon was great! Jon is now using a teleprompter!, a girl standing next to it was giving him a hard time pretending to cover it up periodically, but he was just laughing.
Band: Jon called his new band 'his mistress'since the Jovi band is his wife and right now he is just fooling around! Also, said the new band is called 'five guys from Jersey'. Hugh, Bobby B.(I think), Eric B. (Ithink) , percussionist & drummer I don't know. Jon played guitar on every song but Faith, even soloed quite a few times!
I've never seen him this close and I have more respect for him than ever! He really works the band, the crowd and himself, he is amazing. Well, I'll stop gushing now. If you can see him, it is well worth it. I wasn't sure what to expect with the new band, new material, etc., but it just makes you want to get your hands on the CD sooner!!
We were thinking of trying to meet him but thought he'd given enough, he left pretty fast from the show. He also kept us advised as to the Bulls game results, the men especially loved him for that! Well, hope I didn't ramble too much. Hope everyone gets a Jovi fix soon. I think I'm set for a little while.
Take care.
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