No drugs, no booze: Bon Jovi
No drugs, no booze: Bon Jovi
JAKARTA (JP): This evening's performance by American rock band Bon Jovi has the laudable mission of stopping alcohol and drug abuse.
"We get higher with music than drugs and alcohol," guitarist Richie Sambora answered when questioned if they did drugs or drank alcohol yesterday at Planet Hollywood.
He added that in the 1960s, American rock bands were associated with drugs, but in the 1990s people have come to realize the danger of drugs.
The theme of Bon Jovi's Ancol concert is No drugs, no alcohols.
Leading vocalist Jon Bon Jovi promised his band would present their best ever performance this evening because they have spent three years preparing for their Asia tour.
They will perform a two hour repertoire of their best songs, including their hit Blaze of Glory.
About one hundred thousand young and old fans have jumped at the rare experience of seeing their idols play live.
The band has been an Indonesian favorite since the release of their debut album in the mid 1980s. Their last album, Always, sold more than 300,000 copies in Indonesia, second only to Japan in Asia, according to PolyGram Records' local branch office.
The Ancol concert, Crossroads to the East, is part of the band's Asia tour. Crossroads is also the title of the group's "best of" compilation album.
Bon Jovi, named after lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, comprises guitarist Richie Stephen Sambora, keyboardist Dave Bryan Rashbaum and drummer Hector "Tiko" Torres. All four are from New Jersey.
The band's bassist, Alec Jon Such, recently quit the band and is being temporarily replaced by Huey MacDonald. Jon Bon Jovi refused to reveal why Alec Jon Such had quit.
All band members have received praise from critics for their virtuosity. Jon Bon Jovi was once voted the seventh sexiest man in the world.
"Elvis lives in my body," Jovi once bragged.
Many of their top hits, including Blaze of Glory, Bed of Roses and I'll be there for you appeal to Indonesian youngsters as much as heavy metal group Metallica.
Indo Ent. Productions, which is handling the concert, plans to make the show a success.
"About 5,000 police and servicemen will be deployed around the area during the concert," said Tri Sudwikatmono, president of Indo Ent. Productions.
Given the success of Phil Collins' show at the same venue in March, Tri is optimistic that this concert will also run well.
Indo Ent. has hired six top Jakarta paranormals to fend off rain during the show.
The theme of the concert, No drugs, no alcohol, is expected to help prevent any potential violence from the group's enthusiastic fans. Tri, for her part, hopes the Bon Jovi show will help promote the government's current campaign against drug and alcohol abuse.
Bon Jovi will receive US$332,000 from Indo Ent. Productions for the one night show.
The show is co-sponsored by Indosiar TV channel, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, Sunvic Productions, PolyGram Indonesia, Planet Hollywood and Hai magazine.
Tickets are available for Rp 45,000 (festival) and Rp 150,000 (VIP). The festival tickets were still available as of yesterday. The VIP tickets were sold out. (jsk)