11/04/2005
Bon Jovi
United Center
Chicago, IL
Opening Band: ????
I'm surprised I still have my voice!! A few weeks ago, I was bummed...I was online minutes before Bon Jovi tickets went on sale for Chicago, and as soon as they did, they were sold out. Then, here comes Bryon to the rescue! My sweetie surprised me with tickets for Saturday's show at the United Center in Chicago for my birthday :)
We had awesome seats...section 122, just to the right of the stage. I have seen Bon Jovi 6 times now...the first time was 1986 in Minneapolis...and this was the closest that I have ever been.
My love of all things Bon Jovi truly did start at the beginning. I have my little brother to thank for that...he was into buying albums based upon what their covers looked like, and came home one day with an album called "Bon Jovi". I reluctantly took a listen, heard "Runaway" and was hooked!! They played that song on Saturday, and was so glad to hear that...because for me, that's what started it all!! They are one of the few bands from the 80's "hair band" era that have stood the test of time.
I predicted that they would start the show with "Last Man Standing". They wrote the song when Johnny Cash died, and was a tribute to the true rockers of old. Well, I was right!!
They did a good job of mixing up the old songs with the new. I had never seen them do "Always" before, but was so glad to hear that because it is such an awesome song. Another pleasant surprise was "Born to be my Baby"...love the lyrics to that one!!
The coolest part of the show was about half-way through. Jon disappeared from stage, and the band started jamming to what sounded vaguely like "Blaze of Glory". I figured that it had to be time for a costume change, since he had been wearing a beautiful brown embossed leather blazer and looked like he was roasting. But he never reappeared on stage. All of a sudden, he started singing...but I couldn't see where he was. I hit Bryon and asked if he saw him. Then I noticed on the big screen that Jon was standing with the audience behind him...that's when I realized...he was right in front of our section!! He had indeed changed outfits (now wearing a white tank and denim shirt), and was JAMMING out on "Blaze of Glory". Way too cool!!
Before I knew it, they had wrapped up the main set. Never fear, though...they would be back!! Jon reappeared wearing a Philadelphia Soul Bon Jovi jersey (for those that don't know, he's an owner of the arena football team). They played three more songs after that.
This was one of the most awesome shows that I have been to, and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present!! I still want to meet the band someday, but that's probably not going to happen!!
Here's the set list:
Last Man Standing
You Give Love a Bad Name
Everyday
Born to be my Baby
Story of My Live
The Radio Saved my Life Tonight
Runaway
Have a Nice Day
Last Cigarette
It's My Life
Always (acoustic)
I'll Be There for You (acoustic)
Lay Your Hands on Me (acoustic)
Blaze of Glory (acoustic)
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Bad Medicine
Raise Your Hands
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Livin' on a Prayer
Encore:
Just Older
Wanted Dead or Alive
Encore 2:
Someday I'll be Saturday Night
We stayed in the city on Saturday night, and had a great day on Sunday. It was an AWESOME weekend!!
