Fri 6/7
Sat 6/8
Bon Jovi was undeniably one of the biggest bands of the 1980s, with their high-energy mainstream pop/rock, sometimes erroneously dubbed “pop metal.” There wasn’t much metal there, but they got extensive coverage in metal-leaning magazines of the era such as Circus and Hit Parader. Their strong live performances earned them hordes of loyal fans, while singer Jon Bon Jovi’s shaggy-haired pretty boy image earned them a lot of sneers from hard rock fans. But they sold records and concert tickets. A plaza on New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway is named after Jon Bon Jovi, who grew up and still lives nearby.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame in 2018, and now they’ll the subject of a new special exhibit opening at the Rock Hall this week, called Bon Jovi Forever. The full-floor exhibit will cover the band’s 41-year career, and its nine platinum albums, including their 12 times platinum third album Slippery When Wet (1986). It will include items loaned by each of the band members.
The exhibit opens to the public on June 8. There are also two early access preview events on Friday June 7 and Saturday June 8 that you can buy special tickets for. Go here.
rockhall.com/exhibitions/bon-jovi-forever/
1100 Rock and Roll Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44114