Jon Bon Jovi (2:26)

Very good Burn.

Bird Show Host (2:27)

That was a cool big intro.

Jon Bon Jovi (2:29)

Yeah, it was pretty hot.

Bird Show Host (2:30)

Thanks.

Jon Bon Jovi (2:30)

You didn't even get to the 90s. You know you forgot about it's my life and everything.

Melissa (2:37)

Yeah, not bad. There's 30 somethings in the room. So we're just going back to our, you know, 80s days, dunking.

Jon Bon Jovi (2:43)

I see everybody's puffing their hair up really big in this area right now. Lots of hairspray.

Melissa (2:46)

I'm ripping my jeans right now.

Jon Bon Jovi (2:48)

Right on.

Bird Show Host (2:48)

You know, John, as I was going through this list of incredible songs that you guys have had like over the last three decades, at one point or another you kind of have to look at your success and you've had to say, why me and why us every day? Have you ever been able to answer it?

Jon Bon Jovi (3:04)

Yeah, I lie to myself, you know, I have the applause track playing in my house when I pat myself on the back, you know, I have. The truth of the matter is you wrote songs that people liked and you continue to try to do that. And even at this point, you call radio and you talk to friends and you do what you gotta do. You tour, you pack up the suitcase and you get out there. That's what it's all about, really.

Bird Show Host (3:29)

Are there days that you guys are still insecure by your success?

Jon Bon Jovi (3:32)

Every single day.

Bird Show Host (3:33)

Really?

Melissa (3:33)

Really.

Jon Bon Jovi (3:35)

I was on the stage getting the ama. And I'll tell you an honest to God story as I sat up there on that stage and went, wow, why me? And is anybody going to care? And you know, when you see all your peers give you a big standing ovation and you know, do all that kind of stuff, you think that's incredible. You sort of look over your shoulder and expect them to want to have given it to Bono, not Bon Jovi.

Bird Show Host (3:56)

You know, so after all these years, you still get nervous by perform in front of all those people?

Jon Bon Jovi (4:01)

Not nervous, but it's more of a, you know, is it deserved? Is it. Is do people really like it or are they just jiving?

Melissa (4:10)

You see, I think, I think that humility is part of your charm. Because the question I have for you is I know that throughout your career, I mean, you've hung with the same friends, you've been in the same relationship. And I'm curious now that you're a veteran of the music industry and look at the people coming up who were, you know, a little overwhelmed by all their exposure. I mean, how did you protect your family, you know, and your friends from that?

Jon Bon Jovi (4:34)

There comes a time in a, in a career and some others that are looked as being around now are five year careers, but when the exposure is too much, and that's a very difficult time for any Artist and someone like me couldn't tell someone like that. Here's how you get over it. Because each and every one of these artists has to go through it on his own terms. But the truth is, you wish somebody would sit you down and say, hey, you'll get through this. Here's how you do it. It just doesn't happen, unfortunately. And then it's a character builder. There's some bands that got through it. Ask what happened to Guns N Roses. They could have been the Rolling Stones. It didn't work.

Bird Show Host (5:17)

Do you see any band now? Or do you think music taste has changed so much that can have a career like you guys in three decades?

Jon Bon Jovi (5:24)

Or I don't know if there'll be another band that sells 100 million records from the next generation of band, but because of the downloading and the file sharing and the burning and retail being what it is, I don't know. I really don't know. And honestly, we talk on, you know, top 40 stations and hot AC stations and rock stations too, but what of those formats is going to play the next Bob Dylan? It's. It's not easy.

Bird Show Host (5:52)

Jon Bon Jovi on the Bird show, on all the hits Q100, you said.

Melissa (5:55)

That you guys have made it through all these generations. Has Bon Jovi ever been close to breaking up for good?

Jon Bon Jovi (6:00)

We were tired, but we never did. There was never a reason to break up. There was never I hate you or you stole my money or you slept with my sister or something like that. It was after the fourth album when we were at that crossroads as I describe other artists go to. I certainly had to take a two year hiatus to the Young Guns record, figure out what in the world did I want to get into this for. And with the help of others, we got through that hump. But there was never a discussion about breaking up or I hate you or anything. It was just, let's clear our heads and do other things and then refocus on a new direction for the band. And fortunately for us, that new direction was keep the faith in a different record stylistically. So that when our peers were being pushed out by the Seattle movement, we continued on another road and were, you know, as successful.

Bird Show Host (6:49)

Jon Bon Jovi on the Burt Show.

Melissa (6:51)

Okay, you're still such a sex symbol for so many women. I want to know how you've stayed so good looking throughout the years. What are your beauty secrets?

Jon Bon Jovi (6:59)

How do you answer while you say things like that? I'm gagging. So that can be interpreted as being bulimic. I Guess.

Bird Show Host (7:07)

Do you not see yourself as a good looking guy?

Jon Bon Jovi (7:09)

I don't know. Christ, I'm Dorian Gray. I've got the painting in my attic. What I really look like.

Melissa (7:15)

I get it.

Bird Show Host (7:16)

Yeah. It's over my head. I barely even got my ged, you.

Jon Bon Jovi (7:20)

Know, you guys don't know that story, but, you know, thanks, I guess. You know, again, who knows? Good jeans. Thank my father and mother, I guess.

Melissa (7:30)

Good jeans and good hair care products.

Jon Bon Jovi (7:32)

And good jeans, Levi's, you know, whatever it is, right?

Bird Show Host (7:38)

John, before I turn it over to Jeff Dollar here, who very well could be your biggest fan ever, I just want to ask you one thing about the relationship with your wife. Because as I understand it, the story goes something like, you guys dated in high school, the band starts to do really well, then you and at that point your girlfriend, I guess, decide to go different ways. And I think the assumption is that you wanted to kind of live that rock and roll lifestyle for a while, then you decided it wasn't for you. And you get back with what will be your current wife. Is that simplifying it too much?

Jon Bon Jovi (8:07)

No, that's about it.

Bird Show Host (8:08)

Yeah.

Jon Bon Jovi (8:09)

Yeah. It was about a six month period in my life. Yeah.

Bird Show Host (8:13)

And what did you find out about yourself and about the world in those six months?

Jon Bon Jovi (8:16)

It was a lot of fun. Too much fun for me.

Bird Show Host (8:21)

So why go back then?

Jon Bon Jovi (8:23)

I knew a good deal when I had one. This was a lot better than playing that Hollyweird game. That's not. It wasn't for me. I didn't feel comfortable in that setting.

Bird Show Host (8:31)

Are you amazed by guys in your industry that can do that for 30 years?

Jon Bon Jovi (8:35)

You know, no. It is different strokes, I guess, but, you know, it just wasn't me. It's not that unique a story, but I'd rather get up and see the same wife and the four kids and the life I have than just the other way. It's got a little old quick.

Jeff Dollar (8:56)

Hey, John, I just have a question for you and it's gonna. They've been talking about this all morning on the show and they're making a big deal about it. And I don't think it's that big of a deal. So I made some notes because they got me very nervous. So if you don't mind. You guys said you wouldn't laugh.

Melissa (9:15)

Clearing my throat.

Jeff Dollar (9:16)

John, I'm a longtime fan and I respect your talent and your dedication to your career. I'm happily married, I've got a stable job, I've got lots of friends who could vouch for me. As a normal person, stable job.

Jon Bon Jovi (9:27)

I question it's radio.

Jeff Dollar (9:29)

That's true. I know you're very busy, especially with all the promotional stuff for 100 million. And I don't want to take any time away from your family, but I would love to buy you lunch or dinner sometime in the near future. You pick the date. You what?

Jon Bon Jovi (9:45)

Free food in Atlanta.

Jeff Dollar (9:47)

Okay, no, I'll come to you.

Jon Bon Jovi (9:49)

I don't want you in Jersey. But when I'm in Atlanta, we can.

Jeff Dollar (9:52)

Well, no, because, see, here's the deal. You picked.

Jon Bon Jovi (9:55)

See, if you were in Jersey, they'd call you a stalker.

Jeff Dollar (9:58)

I know, but I'm not.

Jon Bon Jovi (9:59)

Or a relative. One or the other.

Melissa (10:01)

He said yes in Atlanta, Jeff.

Jeff Dollar (10:02)

But they're not touring to support 100 million. And then what happens is, by the time you come around here, you're gonna forget about me.

Bird Show Host (10:09)

You're not making Jeff feel very special.

Jeff Dollar (10:12)

John, you pick the date, the time, the place, and I will be there for you. These five words.

Jon Bon Jovi (10:17)

I love Jeff. Jeff, what a good guy. We'll have to work something out, Jeff. We'll have you come and come to a show or something like that. Well, I'll let you buy me a beer. Hell yeah.

Jeff Dollar (10:28)

Seriously?

Commercial Announcer (10:28)

Yes.

Commercial Announcer (10:28)

Yes.

Jon Bon Jovi (10:29)

Mm.

Jeff Dollar (10:30)

So you're saying yes?

Jon Bon Jovi (10:31)

I said yes.

Melissa (10:32)

Okay. Leave it at that.

Jon Bon Jovi (10:33)

Jeff, back away from the microphone.

Jeff Dollar (10:34)

Yeah, exactly.

Bird Show Host (10:35)

I'm trying not to say anything else.

Jeff Dollar (10:37)

But I'm over here with Jon Bon Jovi. And you know what? I don't want Richie there hogging any of your time. I want it just to be you.

Jon Bon Jovi (10:47)

And I. Oh, my goodness. Is there something you want to tell the audience?

Commercial Announcer (10:52)

For you.

Bird Show Host (10:53)

You would switch teams, right? For Jon Bon Jovi, you switched teams.

Jon Bon Jovi (10:56)

No way.

Jeff Dollar (10:56)

I'm having a beer with him. It's very manly. Okay, thank you, Jon. And I'm going to hold you to that.

Jon Bon Jovi (11:01)

Okay, not a problem.

Jeff Dollar (11:02)

Hold on and I'll get your cell.

Bird Show Host (11:03)

Phone number and your address. Hey, John, tell us about the new album. I looked at I all the cuts on this thing yesterday, and what are there, like, 420 songs on it?

Jon Bon Jovi (11:14)

Yeah, there's 50 songs, 38 which have never been heard by anybody, and 12 rarities that only Looney Tunes like Jeff would have that are very rare. And so it's a pretty unique set. You know, I've jokingly been saying if, you know, if the plane went down, that'd be my next five albums. So our vaults were really deep, and it was a record I've wanted to put out for a long time because I liked the songs, but they weren't right for certain albums. And so a milestone like the 100 millionth album and the 20 year anniversary was a good opportunity to do it.

Bird Show Host (11:51)

Is this the case where you can only put so many songs on albums that these are the ones that didn't make the cuts off the first album? I hope it's not doing it any disjustice by saying that?

Jon Bon Jovi (12:02)

No, there was every album once we really got our bearings about how to make records, to be honest with you. But every album needs a beginning, a middle and an end. And they're supposed to read like stories and thematically stay consistent. And then there's periods in your life where you wrote a song that you said, well, this would have been great for the last record, but I'm past this now. Track one on the first CD is a song called you couldn't live without me so why aren't you dead? And much in the vein of the kinds of songs like you give love a bad name. When we used to write, you know, the real tongue in cheek kind of goofy, goofy rock song. By the time we wrote it, which was Post Young Guns and pre Keep the Faith, things had changed for us. We knew that we were going to have to write songs like Keep the Faith and I Believe after the LA riots and what was going on with the change in the administration, with Clinton being elected into office, we knew that we were changing, America was changing. So we started writing a little more socially conscious song and things like that couldn't make the record, you know, and it was time. But if that was on New Jersey, it probably would have been a big hit.

Bird Show Host (13:08)

I'm such a simpleton because I never assume that this kind of thought goes into which songs are gonna be on an album. I'm so stupid, I guess, about this whole thing that I just assume you guys put together a whole list of songs. It's a very easy cut process. Like, okay, these are the 12 best ones that we've got right now. We all take a vote on it, we'll all say aye. And then they go on the album. No, there's a whole bunch of other thought that goes into it, huh?

Jon Bon Jovi (13:29)

Yeah, quite a bit. You know, you have to really feel where you are at that point in your life. I still love singing. You give love a bad name But I wouldn't have wanted to do, you know, why aren't you dead? Come the time to keep the faith I was just at a different place in my life.

Bird Show Host (13:44)

Jon Bon Jovi, great talking to you this morning, Jeff.

Jon Bon Jovi (13:47)

Thank you all. I appreciate it very much. And Jeff, I owe you that beer.

Jeff Dollar (13:50)

No, I'm buying it for you.

Jon Bon Jovi (13:52)

Okay, fair enough. I have expensive tastes.

Jeff Dollar (13:55)

If we have a good first beer, then you can buy me another one.

Bird Show Host (13:59)

Nice talking to you, John.

Jon Bon Jovi (14:00)

All right, all the best, guys.

Bird Show Host (14:01)

Bye now.

Commercial Announcer (14:02)

The bird show.

Melissa (14:06)

Guys. Thanks for helping me carry my Christmas tree, Zoe.

Jon Bon Jovi (14:08)

This thing weighs a ton. Drew Ski, lift with your legs, man.

Commercial Announcer (14:11)

Santa.

Bird Show Host (14:12)

Santa, did you get my letter?

Commercial Announcer (14:13)

He's talking to you, Bridges.

Jon Bon Jovi (14:14)

I'm not.

Melissa (14:15)

Of course he did.

Jon Bon Jovi (14:17)

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Jeff Dollar (14:42)

Nice.

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