And I have to say...the show was better than the Houston show. Before Phoenix, I gave Houston a 9.9. Now, it's a 8 and Phoenix is a 10. It was absolutely AWESOME. Here's the differences.
1) My wife ACTUALLY grabbed Jon Bon Jovi...at least before the security guard got her
Here's how that happened. We had floor seats. Knowing the format of the show and seeing the second mini stage in the audience, we knew what was going to happen. So, when he opened the show with "Last Man Standing," we moved down to be right behind him...maybe 10' or so then went back to our seats until the time approached for him to move to the second mini-stage to sing "Blaze of Glory" and "Bed of Roses." Those who have seen this tour know what I am talking about.
So we thought we would head him off as he came down the ramp to get to the stage. That plan busted and we still don't know how he got there. Anyway, I came up with another plan in the middle of Blaze of Glory. Knowing he would walk down the isle and go back to the stage, my wife and I went down the NEXT ramp...and since we had floor seats...they let us go. There we camped out until ...now get this...
He started walking. Then he got on that moving platform and moved along the side and stopped right in front of us...3' away and sang the last chorus of bed of roses. We were 3' away. Then he jumped off the platform and that's when my wife grabbed him. I was hanging onto her as she leaned over the edge. If I had let her go she would have fallen on him.
Then the security guy ripped her away.
Anyway...that's NOT what made this one better than Houston though...
2) It was about 30 minutes longer, with more songs...
3) He talked a lot more...had more interaction with the crowd...
4) When he left, they were singing. Boogie woogie...and he danced through the floor crowd off into the back of the arena into the ramp he came in on...it was awesome.
5) And finally...the biggie...
They filmed the video (the NEW video) for Who says you can't go home in Phoenix! He said they have had such a big response that they wanted a rock video instead of just the country one. So, they sang it 3 tiems. The sang it twice in a row and then again at the end before the final song (Boogie woogie and after "Wanted"...).So they filmed it there. Now here's the funny part...
One the first run through of the song, we didn't know they were wanting to do a video. So...they are playing the song and then half way through it..a man in a DOG costume runs out on the stage. Red nose, whiskers, tail...floppy ears. HE's bouncing around and the band is looking for the security guards. Jon is laughing...but David is facing the other way and is trying to watch his back to back sure he isn't "doggied" from behind...and he has this terrified look on his face. Now richie...his look is priceless. He is laughing but looking around and starting to get ticked off. Then the dog BOUNCES over to richie just in time for the guitar solo in Can't go Home...and starts playing air guitar backed up to richie sambora. Richie is about to blow a gasket.
THEN...the dog starts to hump his leg! I thought richie was going to punch him and if he hadn't been playing...I'm sure he would have. What he did do was "tap" him in the head with the top of his guitar! At that time, the security guard came in and grabbed him...dragging him off the stage.
Tico...all this time...is trying to play the drums but just laughing so heard...
Well...come to find out....this is a joke that only Jon was in on. Only he and the security people (and the dog) knew about it. He said that when he was talking to the director about this video...the director made a comment that he lived a dog's life and they came up with this idea. So when they played the song again...to get us even MORE energetic....the dog came back out...and richie got his leg humped again.
So...when the video comes out...hopefully that makes the cut! I also know where we were and will be looking for us!
So...it was a great time. We had a blast. Now...there is a summer tour as well. I know he's going to be at Giant's stadium and there are rumors of other places...like Ft Lauderdale.
See you all there!
