Page 23 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 113

BV113 pg 22-25 Bon Jovi.qxp_BV113 pg 23 03/12/2025 23:23 Page 2

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on says that, despite the time needed the standard that we’re accustomed to, and tired now. But I have his full confidence. And I
Jfor his recovery, he always kept the there was no way that I’d go out any less than have the confidence in what he did.”
faith that he’d be back on stage to perform 100%. So, I had to pull the plug, and therefore, In early 2024, Jon said that he would not
again. “I don’t think I ever lost faith, but I had pull the plug on a very joyous record, one that tour until he was happy with his voice. He tells
no idea that the recovery from this throat sur- I really wanted to go out and share. So, we us about the moment that he felt his vocals
gery was going to be three and a half years, went back to the wood shed, and I’ve been were in good enough condition to tour.
so it’s just been much longer than anticipated.” playing Wembley Stadium four nights a week “I think it started to really pop through in
When asked what had happened with the for the last three and a half years, but only to the spring of this year, April, May, and then we
vocal operation and how he got through it, he an audience of me,” he laughs. “I sing along played a big club in Nashville for the fan club,
replies in good humour, “A lot of crying and and play and I have a whole setup to just work, felt great about that. Just shot something down
blowing my nose.” and the band come in once a month. And then in West Palm Beach, Florida, it’ll come out
He adds, more seriously, “Like I said, I did- I go on for the other three weeks, and they soon, on television. We did eight songs live.
n’t lose faith, but I had no idea how protracted come in at the end of the month and we mark And the ability to sing these songs every day
the recovery would be. The surgeon did an in- the progress. Now, it’s ready to go.” live is easy now. It just took that much time.”
credible job, but he said to me, ‘I promise you He says that it’s been so long since he had He says that the support from the band
nothing. Stay the course’. And, when we did the surgery that the surgeon is no longer per- has been incredible. “My gratitude is deep for
put out the ‘Forever’ album last June, to coin- forming operations. “I’ve outlived most… the band, the crew, everybody that was just
cide with the 40th anniversary, and did the they’ve knocked buildings down and we’re still there through the process, and just wouldn’t let
documentary, I fully anticipated being able to here. We’re like that thing that just won’t go me down and wouldn’t let me quit. So, it’s a
support it. But, as the record was coming out away. So, the doctor’s retired,” he laughs, deep gratitude that I feel with the band, the
and we started to rehearse, I just wasn’t up to “which is wonderful, God bless him. He’s re- crew, the fanbase, because they understand

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