We had the honour of working with Bon Jovi back in the day for MTV’s Headbangers Ball with my beloved presenter Vanessa Warwick, when our hair was a lot bigger, and it was always a pleasure to film with the New Jersey rockers. Fast forward to the now, and here we all are at the iconic Wembley Stadium for an exclusive chat hosted by the shamazing Claire Sturgess from Absolute Radio to chat all things Bon Jovi.
The packed press room cheered and hollered as Jon Bon Jovi stepped into the venue, having just jumped on a tube just like us lot to get there. Â 
As the press photographers got busy snapping, JBJ smiled and said, “I’ve missed you guys.” Obviously, my black glitter track suit did its job as Jon gave me and my colleague an extra smile and wave.
The word of the day is definitely joy. Joy that we are here reunited, joy that Bon Jovi have announced these much-anticipated stadium gigs and joy for the Forever album drop. Â
As Jon looks at us all, he announces, “As you know, we closed at the old stadium [which was demolished for the new super stadium], back in 2000. And we promised we’d come back and here we are.”
Jon talks fondly about his love of the UK. He has a lot of friends here, and this time around, he has had a mooch around Camden, enjoyed a lovely Chinese meal and is off to see Arsenal play, to a booooo from me as a Brentford fan.
Jon is absolutely at his best today as he talks to us about his prolonged healing after his vocal operation and being overjoyed to be back in business. “After the operation, it took a long time to recover,” he says. “It was just me in my shed rehearsing, and the band would join me once a month. I’m glad to be back with the band.”
“I feel so humble,” he says. “The guys were so supportive as well as all the fans.”
So what’s on the setlist for these select stadium dates, Claire asks? “I’ve already thought about that when I was in my shed, and we have a lot of material to draw on from the back catalogue as well as the songs from the Forever collab album.”
Jon is overjoyed with the reaction to the new album drop (Legendary Edition), which features collabs with the crème de la crème of music icons, from Robbie Williams to Jelly Roll to Avril Lavigne.
“I called Robbie,” Jon says. “When he jumped on board, and from then on, everyone else did. And it was great to record with my fellow New Jersey boy Bruce Springsteen. It was a much-needed shoulder to lean on, and to record Red, White, and Jersey was a joy.”
Clare touches on the Soul Kitchen that Jon works at alongside his wife Dorothea, which is a cause close to his heart and is now in its 20th year.
When I had cancer and could not work, it was the food cupboards and charities like this that helped me survive. So I’m forever grateful for what the Bon Jovi family does. What a humble, caring and enigmatic dude Jon is.
And back to the longevity of Bon Jovi. “I’ve got so much gratitude to my band. Rock is alive and well again,” Jon says, and we all agree passionately. We are all soooooooo excited for this set of gigs and watch this space as Mr Bon Jovi promises more.
As we head onto the iconic pitch for the photo shoot here at Wembley Stadium, you could see the sheer joy on Jon’s face as he took in the greatness of this new, improved venue.
Then suddenly, as if by magic, the England Rugby League team walked pitch side and I nearly swooned with joy as they were all here to warm up for tomorrow’s epic game. They are all huge fans of Bon Jovi, too.
Rock legends and sporting icons in one space, this was a pinch-me moment.
I will be the first in at Wembley Stadium, with my Bon Jovi t-shirt and with all of you. Joy.
Huge thanks to Outside PR and Jon’s lovely brother, and to Vickie Smith from the BBC. Photography is by MetalTalk’s Aggie Anthimidou.
Fans can preorder Forever (Legendary Edition) at shop.bonjovi.com to access the tour presale beginning Monday, 27th October at 9 am local time.
Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning on Friday 31st October at 9 am local time at bonjovi.com.
