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February 21, 2009
Jon Bon Jovi Sings Rush
Dedicated Rush fans are likely the only ones who will recognize this memorable track from their 1975 album Caress of Steel. “I think I’m going bald” may have been an early effort on the group’s part to showcase their well-known sense of humor and have a little fun at the same time.
For rock star pretty boy Jon Bon Jovi, going bald is no laughing matter. In fact, the 46-year-old appears to be getting a bit freaked out about signs of baldness that are threatening his trademark mane. It appears that his hair has been gradually trimmed back to a shorter style over the years, presumably to minimize the effect of the creeping menace that so many of us middle-aged guys have to deal with.
Speaking publicly about the looming catastrophe, Bon Jovi says “Oh, let me tell you, I am so worried (about my hair). I look at guys like Sting and think, ‘Well, he’s cool about it,’ but I’m already losing it a bit and I’m so aware of it. Someone told me that you have to regularly massage your scalp, so I do that all the time. You look like a jerk, but it’s got to be worth a shot, right?”
I suppose it’s a matter of opinion regarding whether someone looks like a jerk while messaging their scalp. You know what they say, “if it feels good, do it.” And sometimes a good head scratch does feel pretty good. I’ve been known to do it myself, although I would not classify it as a massage and my actions certainly would not satisfy the time requirement to be considered as such. Ten or fifteen seconds does it for me, but I’m one of those guys who approaches the whole baldness thing by shaving pretty much all of my hair off and letting it grow back until I start to look like a guy that’s trying to grow his hair to cover his bald spot. The idea of a “comb over” or the unintentional appearance of one is enough to make me want to burn my hair off with a propane torch.
From what I hear, there are some effective hair transplant treatments available these days, as well as topical treatments like Rogiane and Propecia. These sound like viable options for Jon and his self-esteem, so I’m sure we won’t see him looking anything like Kojak in the future.
Don’t worry Jon, science will find a way to keep your boyish good looks from deteriorating to the point that would qualify you for a shot at a place on stage with the Rolling Stones.
January 29, 2009
Jon Bon Jovi Facing Legal Action Over Arena Football Venture
Although Bon Jovi seems to have the time, energy and resources to perform at fund-raising benefits for former First Lady, New York Senator and now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a lawsuit filed by the former sales manager for the Philadelphia Soul arena football team alleges that Bon Jovi and his partners in the venture have not made good on about $125,00 that he is owed.
Apparently the arena football scene has not attracted the number of fans needed to make it a commercial success. The former sales manager, Joseph Krause, claims that Bon Jovi and his partners informed employees in December that the team was shutting down and that the employees would receive two weeks’ severance pay.
For his part, Krause says that owed $83,359 in commission for the 2008 season and $41,456 in commission for the canceled 2009 season. He reports that he was informed that he would not receive those commissions.
Krause claims that his protests over the issue resulted in an offer of $5,000 if he agreed to drop the issue and not pursue any legal action to collect the $125,00 he says he is owed. Krause refused the deal and was then told that he would receive nothing, according to the lawsuit.
Jon Bon Jovi’s not the only one in the legal crosshairs of Mr. Kruase’s attorneys. Also named in the lawsuit are are Craig Spencer, the team’s co-owner, Leo Carlin Jr., a member of the ownership group, as well as Paul Korzilius, the team’s interim general manager.
Despite the Soul’s $3.2 million in ticket sales and their victory at the league championship last season, it appears it was not enough to keep the venture alive.
As for what happened to the money, the Krause lawsuit claims that the defendants "worked off the . . . Soul’s success to promote themselves in all of their many other business, financial and cultural enterprises, and in establishing (in the case of Spencer) and sustaining (in the case of Bon Jovi) themselves as celebrities.”
The Soul does not seem to be the only problems facing the arena football scene. The league announced in December that the 2009 season would be suspended as the league develops a long-term plan to improve its economic model. That’s corporate-speak for “arena football has been a financial failure and we’re going to see if we can come up with some ideas to make it profitable.”
I don’t know how much pull a Secretary of State could exert in an instance like this, but if Bon Jovi ends up on the losing end of the lawsuit and cannot come up with the cash needed to pay off his share, perhaps he can arrange for a fund-raiser and at least count on Hillary to show up and help him drum up a little green.
Seriously though, I doubt he’ll be needing much help with his finances if he has to pay out what Krause claims he has coming to him.
For more on this story, see the Philadelphia Inquirer
January 7, 2009
Jon Bon Jovi Extends A Helping Hand To Hillary Clinton
Presidential campaigns are expensive, and no one knows that better than Hillary Clinton who, after losing in the primary elections to Democratic rival Barack Obama, is in debt to the tune of about $6 million.
The New Jersey rocker plans to perform at a fundraiser on January 15 in Manhattan at the Town Hall. Ticket prices run between $75 and $1000, which makes the event accessible to the not-so-rich-and-famous, although my guess is that they’ll sell more $1000 tickets than $75 tickets.
Clinton is in line to be Obama’s Secretary of State, which creates some added incentive for her to pay down her debt, since ethics rules prohibit cabinet members from seeking campaign contributions. That means time is running out for the New York Senator’s fundraising opportunities.
There probably isn’t much chance of a “Foreclosure Sale” sign showing up in front of the Clinton’s Chappaqua home, but even ex-Presidents and their Senatorial spouses probably aren’t too crazy about the idea of carrying that kind of debt forward.
Seems that it really does “Take A Village.” At least when it comes to paying off your creditors.
Bon Jovi, a well-known Democrat has been actively involved in supporting various political campaigns in the past, even hosting an event for then-candidate Obama at his New Jersey home.
There has been speculation that Bon Jovi himself may decide to run for political office at some point in the future. Rumors circulated a while back that he might be planning to run for Governor of New Jersey, but the rocker’s spokespeople denied that, and said that he has no plans to run for office since his “day job is going too well.”
In other Bon Jovi-related news, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora’s ex-wife, actress Heather Locklear pleaded guilty recently to driving under the influence of prescription drugs. The former Dynasty star was arrested back in September by the California Highway Patrol after she was found sitting in her parked car, which was blocking other traffic.
As part of a plea deal, Locklear was sentenced to three years of informal probation (I wonder if that means she can opt for “casual Friday” attire when she reports to her probation officer?) and hit with the maximum fine of $900. She’ll also have to attend a driver training class.
I doubt Locklear will be in need of a fundraiser to pay the fine, but as long as she votes Democrat most of the time, she could probably count on Jon to help out.
August 25, 2008
Springsteen And Bon Jovi To Perform in Denver For DNC Convention
Update: Despite all the news sources that reported a planned appearance by Bruce Springsteen at the DNC Convention, the Washington Post (8/26/2008) is reporting that they have been informed that “The Boss” will be nowhere near Invesco Field on Thursday.
The Rocky Mountain News is reporting that multiple sources have revealed to the newspaper that Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are scheduled to perform at Denver’s Invesco Field on the final day of the Democratic National Convention.
Bon Jovi is said to be coming by himself and will perform two acoustic numbers before Senator Barrack Obama 
delivers his acceptance speech on Thursday.
Springsteen is also believed to be making a solo appearance to close out that final day of the convention.
Both Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen are well-known as Democratic activists and have lent their support to other Democratic candidates in the past.
Perhaps a lack of enthusiasm for Democrats or just politics in general might explain the absence of the other band members. Maybe they’re just busy with other activities.
The Rocky Mountain News attempted to contact Springsteen’s organization for comment, but their multiple attempts have not been successful.
January 18, 2008
Bon Jovi Rocks Australia And Talks Politics
Rumors have been swirling around recently regarding Jon Bon Jovi’s future and his alleged plans to get more involved in politics. Like so many others in the entertainment industry, he is a staunch Democrat and has been active in politics but denies he has any plans to become a politician.
Arriving in Australia to rock their fans in the land down under, Bon Jovi took a 
few minutes to talk with the media about his thoughts on politics.
Like so many others, he is not happy with the direction of the country during the Bush years and true to his Democratic roots, he plans to support a candidate from that party for President but will not reveal which one he as thrown his support behind.
No matter what is political leanings are, Bon Jovi the band is still hot in Australia these days. Having not performed there in about five years or so, Australian fans were anxious to snap up tickets to the show which sold out in 10 minutes. Some tickets were being offered on eBay for as much as $500.
It’s easy to understand why there has been so much speculation about a career in politics being the next big thing for Jon Bon Jovi since it appears to be a subject he is quite passionate about. Whether or not his denials about planning to get more involved are genuine or not remains to be seen.
