You know a band is big when they name a box set 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong — and it’s not them being ironic. The band that began life in New Jersey in 1983 are huge and when I say huge, I mean properly huge. There is not a stadium they couldn’t fill or not a record shop that wouldn’t stock one of their albums.
When I got to speak to Tico Torres and David Bryant of the band, I knew I was talking to two individuals who have been there and done it. I needed a line of questioning that would give me some rock n roll stories.
Let’s start with trashing instruments on stage.
David: No, this is something I have never done because basically the keyboard costs way too much.
Tico: I have hit the drums, but never smashed them on purpose. I left that to the guys who were good at it, like Keith Moon of The Who.
Not what I expected. How about ridiculous backstage demands?
David: No, none of the cliches.
So no asking for the brown M&M’s to be removed like Van Halen?
David: No, though I do think we got Van Halen’s brown M&M’s on occasion.
Is that because realistically you have to pay for everything in your rider, so the more the ridiculous the demand, the more it costs you?
David: That’s right, and fiscal responsibility is important.
What does it feel like looking back at yourselves to the days when you were a part-time band playing bars?
Tico: We were happy if we got to play to ten people and that feeling has never gone. You pinch yourself to this day that now we play to large audiences.
Was there a single moment you thought to yourself “I’ve arrived”?
David: When Slippery When Wet went to number 1 and the rocket ship took off.
Tico: For me it was meeting David (laughs)
David: Well, he’s only human.
What is it like going from a relatively normal life to superstardom?
David: It’s like we stayed the same and everything else changed around us, the amount of opportunities that opened up and soon we were playing round the world.
Is it still as fresh as ever?
David: I just took a shower — I’m very fresh.
Tico: I can confirm that I am sat next to him, he smells very fresh.
And the gigs?
Tico: It’s the crowd, when they start singing your songs and clapping along, it’s like you’re 16 again. The crowds are the catalyst it’s as simple as that.
What can we expect at the gig?
Tico: I think [it’s] a little warmer than we are used to, but it will be a lot of fun. We have some new stuff to play from our album and I think the back catalogue will be well used.
David: A lot of songs we can sing together and have fun.
A lot of bands don’t like giving away their set list, but you have so many big songs for an encore, can you give us an insight?
Tico: All I can say is that is you put your hands together and looked to the sky, you might be living on one of these.
I realise after we end the call that being too rock n roll is not ideal if you want to be a rock star. Why? well it would mean a career a lot shorter than 32 years, a lot smaller gigs and a lot less records sold. Maybe the quiet approach of Torres and Bryant is the secret to a rock n roll career.
Don’t miss it
Bon Jovi play du Arena, Abu Dhabi, on October 1. Tickets, from Dh395, at www.ticketmaster.ae and all Virgin Megastores across the UAE, or call 800 TM UAE (86 823). If you’ve got Dh30,000 and 15 friends, you can book a suite; email tickets@thinkflash.ae. The hashtag for the show is #BonJoviUAE
