I am writing this on my phone from somewhere in the Caribbean. I am on the Runaway To Paradise With Jon Bon Jovi Cruise. This cruise visited Nassau, but the real perk are the shows on board.
Jon Bon Jovi performed two shows during the cruise, the last of which was last night. I saw him a couple of years ago in Nashville and I thought the show was great. Last night’s show probably ranks in my top shows I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch.
I love Bon Jovi, but this wasn’t a typical Bon Jovi show. He was backed by Kings of Suburbia. I had the chance to watch them perform on Friday night. They were great by themselves. The band included some horns and I couldn’t wait to hear them behind Jon Bon Jovi.
Of course, he played hit biggest hits. I don’t think Jon Bon Jovi could ever do a show without doing “You Give Love A Bad Name,” and “Livin’ On A Prayer” during his set. He did those songs. They were great and the crowd loved them.
I am a huge fan on the big hits, but what made this show for me was the opportunity to see him do songs he doesn’t usually do. During this show he did songs like “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “House of the Rising Sun,” “Superstition” and more. They didn’t sound like covers. If I had known better, I would have thought they were his songs.
When a band has as many hits as Bon Jovi, the usually stick with their hits when it comes to doing shows in arenas in stadiums. This show was fantastic and I was glad I was in the crowd.
Rick Amburgey is an experienced journalist and country music fan. He can be contacted on Twitter at @ViewsCountry or on Facebook at @countrymusicviews.