It’s no secret that Jon Bon Jovi is a rock icon. With a career spanning more than 35 years, the frontman for Bon Jovi has had an incredible amount of success. The band has sold over 130 million records worldwide, and Jon himself is worth an estimated $410 million. But lately his unpredictable live vocals have been put under the spotlight.
Editorial Note: Two months after this story ran, we learned of the passing of founding Bon Jovi member Alec John Such. Our thoughts are with his family and former band mates during this difficult time. For more on this story, click here.
The band’s third album, Slippery When Wet, was a commercial success, selling more than 28 million copies worldwide within the last three decades. It included the hit singles “You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive”. Jon’s voice was at its peak during this time. The album included the hit singles “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” which helped to propel the band to international stardom. In the ensuing years, Bon Jovi released a string of successful albums, including New Jersey and Keep the Faith. The band has also embarked on several highly successful world tours, performing to sold-out crowds around the globe.
In addition to his work with Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi has also pursued a solo career, venturing into solo work in 1990. He has also acted in several films and television shows, including Ally McBeal. Jon Bon Jovi is one of the most successful musicians of his generation. He is also a dedicated philanthropist, working with numerous charitable organizations. Jon Bon Jovi also owns a restaurant in New Jersey where he will allow the poor or underprivileged to eat for what they can afford, even for free, as long as they provide volunteer work. It goes without saying, Jon Bon Jovi is a wonderful person and is truly an icon of the rock music world.
However, recently fans have been expressing concern over Jon’s vocal ability. Many people noticed that Jon’s voice has been sounding dramatically different during their 2022 tour – and reviews of his vocals in their live shows have been consistently poor as a result. Many fans and professional critics have said that his recent performances were strained, and he struggled with both phrasing and pitch, at times being almost indecipherable in what he was performing.
Evidence, of these vocal issues, is becoming increasingly difficult to come across as videos of these performances are being removed by YouTube on copyright grounds by UPMG Publishing as quickly as they are uploaded. However, all someone needs to do is search Bon Jovi Voice on TikTok, and various examples exist that have yet to be removed. See below for a lengthy example:
@chrisskinner11Bin Jovi voice is wack can’t keep up !!♬ original sound – Chris Skinner
If it wasn’t for the lyrics and the instrumentation in the song, it would be difficult to recognize which song was being sung. And this isn’t an isolated incident, reviews from several stops in the tour have all mentioned that while Jon’s star power was still on full display, his vocals were shaky at best. A few examples of professional reviews are below:
“[Bon Jovi] struggled throughout the two-plus-hour show. He wasn’t just butchering the older stuff, which the band now plays in a lower key, but the fresh material as well… Quite frankly, it felt like he had forgotten how to sing.” – Pioneer Press
“[Jon‘s] voice’s heft, which carried choruses of songs like ‘Livin’ On a Prayer’ and ‘It’s My Life’ is now reedy. He sounds thin. There’s not a lot of tone in his voice. He can’t quite hit the notes… Luckily for Jon Bon Jovi, he had the help of six additional musicians and their considerable vocal abilities to keep him afloat.” – Omaha World Herald
Fans have equally expressed concern, saying the performances have been a ‘hard watch’. Jon’s voice has been a key factor in the band’s sound and appeal – to see him struggling so visibly is certainly concerning. Jon himself has yet to comment publicly on these concerns, and the band has been relatively tight-lipped as well. Perhaps Jon may be deliberately singing in a lower register in order to preserve his voice. Jon is, after all, 60 years old and has been touring consistently for the past three decades. It’s possible that Jon is simply trying to protect his voice at this point in his career.
It’s also possible that Jon is simply going through a rough patch and his vocals will eventually recover. After all, even the greatest singers go through periods where their voices are not at their best. Whatever the case may be, naturally, we will not be irresponsible and speculate on the cause of the decline.
Jon’s voice is an iconic part of Bon Jovi’s sound, and we can only imagine how much different their songs would sound without it. We hope that Jon is able to recover his voice and continue making the great music that we all know and love.
Old age, it happens to everyone. Might be because he switched to that sissy country stuff for a while too?
While I don’t know if I’d blame “sissy country stuff” (haha), old age certainly could be a culprit. Vince Neil did many high notes like Jon, and he is having similar problems recreating material in a live setting. It’s just strange, because even the new stuff (written in his current range) is having issues.
Bon Jovi – American Airlines Center – 2022 Tour – Finale – Livin’ on a Prayer: https://youtu.be/4mKd3ViOk_U
As we get older we lose lung capacity and can no longer belt out tunes we once could after a certain age, Tina Turner said it herself on a show I once seen her in
As we age our voices change, especially men.. I call it the 50 plus punch. Jon’s voice has been on the decline for a while. Love him and the band but he’s join the old man’s club. I hope he’s OK with that. We got the memories.
It could also be all his years of smoking. It definitely takes its toll on the singing voice!
Bring Back Richie Sambora
YESSSSS!!!!!
Exactly
Don’t think so he’s the one that walked away in the first place. Or has everyone forgot.
Richie broke the Golden rule & aired his dirty laundry!
Bon Jovi is a god and legend
What are you smoking??? Bon Jovi SUCKS!
Really, Country music…smh
It’s call karma… shouldn’t of screwed over Richie…
Jon is a good singer but he can’t hit the notes Richie did. As a team they are great but without Richie’s backups he’s not as good. Richie is a damn good singer.
While old age isn’t a current problem for some people there r others who have just not been so well lately, covid for one, mayb it’s as simple as timing and not having enough recovery time? Andi
I thought the same thing. I have heard that depending how sick you got from Covid you can have issues with your vocal chords. I hope either way he can come back from that. Poor guy.
I had seen a video, and seriously he sounded like was either having or had had a stroke…??
Same thing has happened to Jon that’s happened to umm let’s see… Axl Rose, Vince Neil, David Lee Roth, Joe Elliot and there’s at least one or two others i’m leaving out of this equation…
Bottom line is NONE OF THEM took care of their voices! They all partied like there was no tomorrow smoking & drinking as if the show would never end. But guess what fella’s??? Tomorrow is now here and bc you were all so irresponsible now you’re ripping off the younger generation who don’t know any better when the lot of you sound like lounge lizards “with all due respect”!
Few artists knew the value of preserving their voices… Tesla sounds as good today as they did in the 80’s, Sammy Hagar can still bring it with his voice. Smoking will KILL your voice! Maybe some of these lead singers from these once great bands of our time, should take some of those millions of dollars they’ve made from us over the last 4+ decades and invest voice rejuvenation (if there is such a thing) or at least get into a singing coach to help them at least get back into the same key or tone of their music.
Definitely think the age of excess in the 1980s had a bad impact on many artists from the time, but I am going to stop short of saying that’s what happened with Jon. I am not a fan of speculation. On that same topic though, with the amount of partying Ozzy did over the decades, it’s remarkable he hasn’t lost a single step with his voice. Even struggling with a debilitating illness, Ozzy is still bringing it.
Ozzy Osborne was never a good singer… in fact he’s a horrible singer… but yeah he still sounds the same … terrible ???
Ouch, I disagree with you there my friend! I feel Ozzy is fantastic. Is he a world class singer? No. But he sounds good. At least, to me!
???
Much as you’d love to hear jon from 87 the only way that happens is to buy the cd. The REAL issue is the lack of admission from jon. Face it, deal with it admit it, your fans will still be there. Call Alice, dudes been hammering it longer and better than anyone. Much as I love Richie and wish they would reconcile, for reason s other than coming back, he was never a vocal addition. As for Ozzy? Mad respect for still being out there, but I saw a recent concert and wasn’t sure if it was the prince of darkness or a white house press briefing. Time to let h retire Sharon….
Well said…think at this point he should take a break…I would want my money back if I had 2 sit through 2 1/2 hours of that
Like some great boxers they dont know when to hang up the gloves and you hate to see them go out on thier backs. Jon is destroying his legend and needs to hang it up.I wouldn’t go listen to that for free.
Joe Elliot sounds different but he still sounds good. I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan but this is bad on a whole other level than losing your voice. I think there’s a hearing or neurological issue. He can’t find the pitch at all and his timing is way off.
David Coverdale still sounds good too.
I agree, I’m thinking it’s neurological.
Exactly what I was thinking if you listen to meatloaf same thing happened to him as his got older hearing issues caused decline in his vocal ability they sound similar with off phrasing and pitch keys
Roger Daltrey’s voice has changed. He took care of himself. I believe it has something to do with the thickening of the vocal chords and age. He can still sing and knock ’em out of the park but it’s not the same. I won’t pay ridiculous ticket prices to listen to what is not the same.
I personally don’t have a problem with his performance. If you wanted to hear the studio version of their music pull out your CD.. this was a live performance, Jon had tons of energy, the rest of the band members were outstanding… And yes the man is 60 years old not the same person that was performing in the 80s…
Fair enough, nobody is going to sound the way they did in their 20’s and 30’s. Good point.
I didn’t have a problem either. I enjoyed the Indy show! We all sang right along with him. He was so happy! The band was “Jovial” too! ??
Jon has earned respect from his fans. He got old. I think there’s a health issue too….. So… enjoy what’s left of him. Bon Jovi’s music will still be playing and enjoyed 100 years from today…. We will all be dead so have fun NOW, get over yourselves and JBJ deserves our love and support. His music has been like a private conversation to most of us. We felt it deeply. What a glorious gift we were given!
Let him be. Just relax and enjoy what you can at this moment in time. It will be gone before you know it.
Agree
Richie definitely needs to come back. Jon’s performance could be better then. Like the 2018 Rock and roll hall of fame induction
Richie was a brilliant part of Bon Jovi. It’s a shame he left.
His voice is an embarrassment and he shouldn’t be touring. He hasn’t sang one thing better than a 5th grader this tour from all the videos I’ve seen. It seriously sounds like he’s forgotten how to sing and forgotten what a beat is. Everything is behind, everything is off key. It’s very painful and embarrassing to watch and the promotor should be ashamed for charging so much. If this isn’t a mental issue and strictly a voice problem, a good voice coach could get him halfway decent again but he clearly doesn’t want help or he’d be doing that instead of touring at the moment.
truth!!
I have been a fan from the begining and his change in voice is nothing new. Long ago you could tell he was taking some sort of voice coaching/singing lessons because you could watch him with the way he would try to breath different and use his mouth with world’s different. He changed his sound and style. It really messed up his singing. If he would have just continued on with how he began he would still probably sound good. I lost interest in the live shows long ago because of how he attempted to try to sound and sing better when he was good with the natural way he started out. Now it is like forced and he stands and holds that mike like he cannot sing without clutching it
Lets start from the beginning. Runaway, 7800 Fahrenheit… all you need to do is be able to remember what he sounded like then when he had amazing range. By 1989, when i first saw him , the band was spent from over 2 years of touring off Slippery and New Jersey. In 1990, he goes solo . Different tone completely. No more of the raspy stuff. He simply lost range as time went on and his pitch was always changing.I saw him 94, for the 3rd time and last time.. Bottom line is he didnt take care of his voice. There were SO MANY similar acts in the 80s. Poison, Def Leppard, Motley Crue….. they lived and sang for the moment and their best stuff is legendary.. Sure they never thought that after 30 years , their material would be relevant. Jon is a VERY wealthy person. If he wanted to please old fans, he could have choosen small venues and the promoters could have put a cap on ticket prices.
I agree. He should stop.
Take care of his self.
I didn’t know Jon smoked. Maybe younger years but now?
What about the lead singer of AC/DC? He had to take time off due to vocal issues. There has to be a time of rest on vocal cords…they are just not taking that time.Tom Keifer of Cinderella had to see a specialist for his voice.
ACDC singer didn’t take time off for voice issues….it was hearing issues!!! And Jon Bin Jovi never smoked!! You people are so quick talk BS about these legendary musicians (like if you could do better) and don’t even have the correct information.
Jon Bon Jovi ABSOLUTELY smoked for years. There’s no debating that as he is smoking in the documentary for “When we Were Beautiful.” He smokes on video on his hotel balcony and that is INDISPUTABLE. If you’re going to comment on Jon Bon Jovi you should at least educate yourself on his life and career.
You definitely need to educate yourself. Jon Bon Jovi smoked for years. He only quit because of the higher health insurance premiums for smokers. SMH
It’s one thing to adjust to a lower key to accommodate an aging voice, but he’s not even singing on key in a lot of what I just saw. It’s almost like he is trying to “Bob Dylan” his way through it.
We just saw bon Jovi last week. His voice sounded nasally, nothing like he did in the 80s. I couldn’t understand half of what he was singing if I didn’t know the words. The band was amazing! Lead guitar rocked it! Drums were awesome! I understand he’s older and not going to be as strong vocally but it didn’t sound anything like the Bon Jovi I knew. He still looked great and had lots of energy!
Dear Jon,
Talk to the people who have helped Stevie Nicks. She is 73 years old she smoked,, drank herself silly and admits to years and years of cocaine partying to the point of putting a hole in her nasal/brain connection. She still sounds awesome live. I went to a concert when bon Jovi did the tour for this house is not for sale and heard him struggling even then. I saw a lot of video s where he was ripping a cig, I just quit and it sucks, maybe he can turn it around or doesn’t care what he’s putting out at his shows perhaps ego superego,etc. Anyone seeing the end of the line Elvis videos will know superstars hang on too long.
Jon had Covid in October of 2021,even with the vaccination. I am not sure how long he had it. That was just 6 months ago and it’s probable that he had it for at least 1 month or more. He stated on April 15th in Tampa that 15 of the road crew were out with Covid. Medically we do not yet know the long term effects on the lungs and vocals for singers.
Jon did have Covid. Maybe he is still trying to recover his voice! The show must go on!!
That probably is it. Covid. But Stevie Nicks at 73 is still rockin it! She saw a voval coach and doctors that specialize in this. The promoter should never have let him tour like this. Richie is gone. He needs two female back up singers. But those high notes are hard for anyone! No. He never smoked. But the constant touring. One 2 hour performance of any band member takes an incredible amount of energy! Then on to the next and the next. For 30 plus years! Very tough. He should give Stevie a call.
He did smoke for years and years. I don’t know if he still does but I have seen him smoke when he was in Chicago years ago on a rooftop bar ( that was supposed to be smoke free) but he insisted.
His set list ot songs SUCKED on this tour!!! Would’ve rather heard him struggle with the old stuff that made him who he is, than to hear him struggle with new stuff that no one knows nor cared to hear!!!
I think there just comes a time to admit you just can’t perform the way you used to, and never will again. No shame in going out while you’re still respected than after you’ve wasted people’s money on mediocre performances.
Love Rockers, but you can’t possibly need the money…and you already know you’re loved by the masses. Time to stop the “audience addiction”, maybe?
You’d be surprised how many of them need the money. With the ways that the industry has changed, sales and streams don’t pay much. Touring is where musicians make their living. That’s why so many of them sold their catalogs during the pandemic, because their major revenue stream dried up.
Yes i agree with you. He shouldn’t perform tour in his current condition (voice)
I believe he’d had Covid in the recent past. It can cause permanent respiratory damage. I think that’s what’s going.
I agree. That is a very real possibility. I just saw a story on the news tonight about people experiencing respiratory problems 2 yrs. after having Covid. They call it “long haul” or “long” Covid.
Exactly!! When Richie left, I quit listening.
Me too.
Brian Johnson took time off for a hearing issue, not vocal issues.
Steven Tyler still has it !
Let’s not forget Mick Jagger and Robert Halfod , they are still killing it. Considering they started much before than the names discussed here..
Don’t forget Tom Jones!
Maybe jonbonjovi needs to rest his vocal cords. I hope he can get his voice back. I love to hear his voice.lee
I agree with you Derek, but I always thought when Ozzy sang “Mama” I’m Coming Home, there isn’t another voice on Earth that could sound like his on that song!! Love Ozzy!!?
Smoking and alcohol destroyed his voice and body
He’s not aging too good
Well said.
Don’t be mean. Bon Jovi has been touring since the 80’s and of course vocal cords are going to wear. He obviously still tours because he loves it. I’m sure it’s hard to hear to hang up the mic. If you’re going to go to his concerts, realize he’s 60 and not in his 20’s or 30’s anymore.
Jon,
We all love you, just hope that you are ok. Thoughts and prayers
It’s sad yes. But he’s sang his ass off for us over the years an gave up a lot of family time for us, his fans. I saw him in Indianapolis in April an yes I heard what everyone else heard But I also heard all the songs he sang in my mind from years past. He’s a legend! Rock on Jon!
He needs to retire before he breaks a hip.
If he took vocal lessons for a year, he’d restore his voice.
He needs to give his voice a rest and have medical evaluation of what is happening to his vocal cords. He has been great for many years, his voice can recover, he needs to have it taken care of now before more damage is done. Just my opinion.
Your comment is the only one on here that is measured and actually makes sense. We have people that are hyper critical and people that are so devoted it wouldn’t matter if he sounded like he is tone deaf. Thank you for bringing sanity to this thread.
Totally agree that measured and well-thought-out comments are the way.
However, in regards to the speculation in some of your comments, and other people’s comments: We purposely did not encourage speculation or even try to blame some type of vice (alcohol/booze) or medical condition in our article, as there is presently no solid proof we can fall back on, to back up a controversial claim like that. This falls into dangerous territory and we wouldn’t want to take that risk.
We cannot prevent commenters from doing the same, but we are purposely not trying to blame any direct cause. More just expressing concern for a wonderful artist.
Yes
I don’t expect him to sound like he did when he was younger but I DO expect him to sing on key and he’s way off.
His voice trouble is the beginning of sad days for many singers and it’s all Covid variant related. Singing is hard . Covid is still ruining peoples health but they’re pretending it’s all over. It’s not. Touring is so dumb in this global environment. So is attending these gatherings. It’s not over. Just watch.
Again, with the poor misfortunes of the younger generation? Ugh. Nobody is forcing them to listen to him. Also, he wasn’t a smoker.
Yes. He did smoke. He quit because it was messing with his voice. Have you ever heard Last Cigarette by Bon Jovi?
I am just so sad reading these comments! If you are a true fan you would appreciate Jon for who he is! The man is a legend, who cares if he is 60 and his voice isn’t what it used to be. I still enjoy listening to him and will gladly pay to see him when he comes to our area. I will forever be a fan! Rock on Bon Jovi!!!!!❤️
Totally agree Heather! He is and always will be a rock legend. He’s given his all, and if the notes aren’t there, his stage presents still is. Rock on Jon. We love you ?❤️
I 100% agree! He has earned and deserves our love, respect, and compassion as he struggles now. Bon Jovi Forever!
I agree, thinking it’s neurological.
To a point I agree, Jon started smoking in the mid 90s for a movie part and that has killed his voice.
I wouldn’t say sissy stuff. It is more real feelings and thoughts songs about life and family. He also has some cristian songs out I feel versatility is a good thing .At least he is still able to get up and do what he does. I don’t feel it is worth all the criticisms. I paid to see him in Raleigh NC And didn’t complain one time. I had fun regardless. He is iconic and an awesome performer.
Sissy Country stuff? Take a listen to Gene Watson, who can still hit high notes into his seventies. He has been performing for decades. As for Jon he is still great.
I am JoviGirl 39 Year Fan. For the past 39 years I have followed this band and the solo careers the band members have. Never have I missed a tour and even have gone to other countries to see them. This past April 23 I was lucky enough to see them in Austin Texas and had the VIP Experience. What a awesome time I had and I would do it again despite how they sound or how old they get. His voice is “Not old Just older”. We all age it’s enevitable Jon has become a ” a master to his craft”. His voice is not what it used to be and that really didn’t matter to me. I rocked out just like I did back in the 80s when I saw them in concert and had a blast. He has covid so that may of played a part in his vocals but Critic’s will be Critic’s. Some of the things I have seen written about the band have been just down right awful and I can only imagine how he feels and what his thoughts are when he reads what they are saying about him. To the critic’s out there I say “Keep the Faith ” and maybe his voice will “Bounce ” back to your standards. For this JoviGirl no matter what they sound like I will “Always” be right there in the front row cheering them on. ONCE A JOVI GIRL ALWAYS A JOVI GIRL
I AM JOVIGIRL 39 YEAR FAN!!!!!!!
Samantha, I love your comment. You said it the best! Once a Jovi girl ALWAYS a Jovi girl.
He’s been sceemimg his songs everyday for the past 40 years to please his fans and now they turn on him? I think this article is bull crap. I love going to see him sing and I love that he still goes on stage so that I can. The age in his voice reminds me that he’s human. It makes me sad that the others put him down.
Nowhere in this article have we turned on Bon. We spend a good portion of the article praising Bon Jovi’s music, his talent, and his philanthropic efforts. We even wish him well at the end. Some of these comments have been unfairly rude to Bon, but I’d argue our article was very neutral, if not positive.
100% agree. He probably didn’t expect to have to sing Livin On A Prayer for decades, so preserving his voice wasn’t the first thing on his mind.
I totally agree with you. It’s been thirty years since I first bought a Bon Jovi album when I was 16 years old. I have bought more than than eight different albums of the band, but I never had an experience of listening to the band’s concert. I really think it is lucky for the US fans to have more opportunities to go to their concerts than the fans in other countries, such as mine, Taiwan. To me, Jon has shown much more energy through his music and his attitudes towards life than what people think a common 60-year-old person usually shows.
Y’all do realize the man had COVID, right?I think it was November.
Gargle with mouth wash and drink lemon water. Or hot tea and honey.
Friendly reminder here, I get everyone has emotions about this but let’s try to be polite to each other and to the artist. This article wasn’t made to trash Jon, obviously by the praise heaped in the post we LOVE Bon Jovi and want the best for him. We just don’t want him to lose his iconic voice. So be friendly guys <3.
Jon Bon Jovi is a huge smoker. Just go watch the documentary showtime made
First time I saw Bon Jovi was first row in Allentown Pa. Went to see the Scorpions and Bon Jovi opened for them Traveled all the way from Jersey They rocked the house ! Ever since saw them many times through the years Nothing like a Bon Jovi concert … Especially in Jersey Rock on Jon !!
Wrong. He quit smoking in 2013 and then was concerned that a tobacco company was the sponsor of a 2015 concert in Indonesia.
It doesn’t matter when he quit. He smoked and that does damage, irreparable damage.
Yeah, but I think he sounded pretty good during the THINFS tour. It’s been such a rapid decline in the last few years. If it WAS smoking, he would have sounded way worse way earlier. I don’t doubt that smoking contributed to it, but it seems like there’s something else going on.¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Heather and Samantha, AGREE TOTALLY. 1984 Jovi girl here. Followed him and the band for years. I Will continue until he says when.
I’ve never been to a bad concert, and he gives 110% every time. ❤️
Exactly!!! Also He does so much more than sing!!! Give credit where credit is due!! He’s an amazing man
Jon smoked all the time, i guess you never watched their HBO SPECIAL “WHEN WE WERE BEAUTIFUL”… HES SMIKING THROUGHOUT THAT DOCUMENTARY!!!
Sounds like his vocal cords are becoming paralyzed slowly more and more. He is slow to enunciate as well as pitchy. Lagging behind the best to solidly work out what he can get out. He’s got done condition. This isn’t singing damaged vocal cords. Something else is up.
I saw him last week in Indianapolis. It was pretty bad. I think fans would be complaining less if he hadn’t performed all of his new stuff and stuck to the ones we all went to hear. There were not many of the older ones, which was very disappointing. At least there was crowd energy for the older songs that he did.
Very very nice bon jovi article thanks for sharing
I think you need to go watch their documentary when we were beautiful. Smoking several times in it. I also saw him years ago at a rooftop bar in Chicago smoking
IIRC, he pulled out of hitting the high parts of Runaway and Livin On A Prayer early on . If he sounds this bad now, it makes me wonder what he’d sound like if he kept struggling to hit the high notes….
I was in Dallas last night and you’re absolutely right. The set list was a huge disappointment and he literally didn’t it one note or even one line in any songs. His voice was weak, shakey, off pitch, off tone, off key. It had to be humiliating. He’d be better served preserving his voice and canceling the tour.
I agree
I love Jon and the lads …. seen them.many many times and always put on a fab show. But its time to call it quits …. as much as it pains me to say it … go out on a high note rather than a bum note. As for age being a issue … Tom Jones is in his 80’s and is as fabulous as he was in his 20’s if not better….
I was at the show in Dallas last night and I thought the same thing that maybe he had a stroke.
Just like guitar players get callouses on their fingers, singers get callouses on their vocal chords. Doesn’t matter if they partied or not, after 40+yrs of touring as the main vocalist, it takes a toll on the chords. As a vocalists I understand. Whatever ppl think, the man puts on a show & his fans are dedicated followers. #RockOn JBJ
I just went to the Dallas concert last night. You have to go with the respect and interest to see one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and enjoy the instrumentals. It is kind of sad to see him that old (I’m 54) because it reminds me that Father Time gets us all. I just love the old voice so much…those songs shaped my high school and college years. I wish he sounded the same, but like someone above said, “if you want ‘87 Jon, go buy the CD.” (Or the cassette Lol). Thanks Jon for the good memories
1. Bon Jovi has been touring over *40* years, and long tours in those years, for the majority of the year, every year, not just a couple months.
2. I believe JBJ had vocal cord surgery in the late 90s/early 2000s, after which high notes from when he was 20 were re-scored in another key, and started releasing albums in different keys.
3. In some recent clips energy and breathing looks more difficult than prior tours. That could be post Covid issues as others have said.
4. Plus the sound in Dallas is historically bad in that arena.
Paul Weller,Elvis Costello,Dave Vanian,Sammy Hagar,Robin Zander all older and all still have great voices live…and btw their music doesn’t suck like Bon Jovi’s…
Bon jovi needs to retire or take a year off at least !they have never been a great band to begin with .teeny bop style at best!
Exactly!He was bothered about Jon & the Band.All this about wanting to spend time with his Daughter ,a load of Bull ! Jon has 4 kids &a Beautiful Wife who has stood by Jon whatever,BUT OBVIOUSLY JON HAS TRIED TO KEEP THE BAND TOGETHER! As a on Bon Jovi BIG Fan PLEASE DON’T TURN YOUR BACK’S ON JON OR THE BAND, PLEASE!! HELP him through his songs instead of pulling him to bits!
Yeah, he should stick to the tough guy metal of Bon Jovi.
This started on the bands last tour but now it’s worse and very hard to watch.
I saw them last night in Nashville, TN. The band still puts in an amazing show. I am a long time Bon Jovi fan, and as much as I hate to admit it, his voice is shot. He sounded ROUGH. There were even times that he mixed up lyrics. Times you could barely even hear him. Times that he was definitely off key. I am sad to see that happening, but I will still love him and the band for their music and everything they do.
John Waite is almost 70 and still sounds good although he has adjusted the key he sings in so he doesn’t sound like he’s struggling. He has been a smoker for awhile. Sometimes you just have to adjust to your voices changes when you age. Maybe Jon hasn’t figured that out yet, but after this tour I’m sure he will.
Perfectly said!.. Look at Rob Halford Bruce Dickinson, Geoff Tate, the new guy from journey, Myles Kennedy.. Chris Cornell before he died.. let’s just face facts there are just better singers out there. Bon Jovi was the 1st to hang the mic stand out into the audience.. and geez that was way back.. some folks are just studio singers
The group was fantastic. Jon as a solo was very good. I, like he, may not be old, but we are older. Unfortunately, like many in their lines of work, can never say goodbye.
Tell that to Robin Zander of Cheap Trick. Tell that to Chris Cornell (before his passing.) I love Jon Bon Jovi, but there is far more going on here than his age. He can’t even phrase these melodies. I can’t imagine this correcting itself.
Totally agree. I went to see them for the legend they are. As long as he can carry a tune (even if off key) I’ll go see them.
Here’s another Jovi girl! I’m behind him. Period. x