After 25 years, many bands are a bit weathered, but it seems Bon Jovi has just begun.
The band not only recently played at this year’s Grammy Awards but was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals for “We Weren’t Born To Follow.” But even if Bon Jovi weren’t still winning awards, there’s little doubt the band’s loyal fan base would diminish.
“Love us or leave us — and luckily a lot of people love us. But not everybody does, so you can’t expect everybody to like you,” guitarist Richie Sambora said in a teleconference to promote the tour. “But we were never a critics’ band, let’s face it.”
Ever since the New Jersey-based band formed in 1986, its fan base has continually grown and remained loyal. Even when radio hits were sparse, the fans cheered long and loud, often selling out arenas.
Bon Jovi
Where: Verizon Center, 601 F St. NW
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Info: $49.50 to $503; ticketmaster.com
“No matter what, the fans love them and are loyal,” said John Rzeznik, co-founder of the Goo Goo Dolls, speaking of watching Bon Jovi fans when the Goo Goo Dolls was just starting out. “I remember watching them [from backstage] and thinking ‘Wow, what great fans.’ ”
The fans have even more to celebrate now that the band is going on a two-year tour in support of its November 2009 release, “The Circle,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100. But don’t think the upcoming show will be all about the new album. Band members said they will dip way back into the catalog to choose songs from even their first albums.
Although the band has gone through a lot of changes since it first debuted with hits such as “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the 1980s, its fans have followed along and matured with it.
Tico Torres, the band’s drummer, said during the teleconference the band is committed to that type of growth.
“Everything in the past can’t really help you when you’re writing a new record,” he said. “It’s important to keep that in mind.”
And one reason, of course, is so the band members can still go out and have fun with their fans.
“When I’m getting ready to walk onstage, [I think], ‘Man I can’t believe this is my job,’ ” Sambora said. “It’s a great feeling.”
