Monday, April 2, 2012

B is for Bon Jovi, an inspirational muse


How to tie together Muse Avatar Monday with the A-Z blogging challenge? Easy. Just pick Jon BON JOVI, perhaps the only hairband frontman to have aged with such grace.

Jessica Bell and I have teamed up for the A-Z blogging challenge this year to talk about our musical muses - a band/artist or song that has inspired, or affected us in some way. Like I said, expect a lot of 80s cheese from me.

Including Bon Jovi.

Though, a case could be made for anti-cheese. Sure they swirled their hair around and once looked like this:


But hey, a lot of guys wore make up back then. 

Considered the softer of the rockers, Bon Jovi had their biggest success with Slippery When Wet, pumping out hit after hit including Living on a Prayer, Bad Medicine, Wanted Dead or Alive, and You Give Love a Bad Name.

Now these are songs that are still on my iPod. I've only been to two Bon Jovi concerts, not because I wouldn't shell out the cash, but because their concerts sell out in record time! Somehow, these New Jersey rockers have managed to stay relevant by producing new music that appeals to a new crowd, and appeases a loyal fan base - including millions of women everywhere.

Of course, it's not hard to understand why when the lead singer now looks like this:


For all of their inspiration - from their muse-worthy front man to a musical work ethic that continues to rock on - Bon Jovi has definitely made an impact on me. 

This week, I lean on Jon and this song (an oldie but a goodie) for writerly inspiration:



So dish, who's your musical "B" man/woman?

Now, go check out some of the other blogs taking part in the A-Z Blogging challenge, including my Dawn Dalton blog where I'm talking about awesome YA books, and the Most-Wanted Monsters blog where Judith and I are writing poems and talking smack about some creeptastic beasties.

- Dawn


The Book in My Bag Today: Rot & Ruin, Jonathan Mayberry

51 comments:

  1. Ha! yeah, okay, he's hot. But his music leaves a lot to be desired ... *ducks from Dawn's slap*

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    1. Aw honey, it's ok. I know you're overworked and not thinking clearly. I won't hold anything bad you say about Bon Jovi against you...honest. *deletes Jessica from Facebook*

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  2. You are my kind of person! I love Bon Jovi, and I too still have his music on my iPod. Can't beat blasting out Livin' On A Prayer on a roadtrip!

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    1. KYRA! YES! Living on a Prayer so good! Have you heard the acoustic version? HEART MELTING. Love the whole Slippery When Wet album.

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  3. In the 80's I preferred hip-hop to rock so I didn't like any Rock-n-Rollers. Now I like those Rock-n-Rollers b/c I can understand what they're singing compared to the new stuff. So now that I'm 40 someting I listen to the Bone, 98 Rock, and the Eagle (local radio stations in the Tampa Bay area). Years ago you'd never hear this stuff blaring from my speakers.

    As for Bon Jovi, he's very hot NOW that he's matured.

    Shelly
    http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/

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    1. SHELLY - I love how my tastes have evolved over the years, but also how I can go back in time and still love the bands and musicians that shaped my youth. Bon Jovi is absolutely one of the bands from my youth :-) Back then I thought he was hot - but clearly my young mind was a bit foggy. He's MUCH better looking now.

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  4. So glad you and Jess have teamed up. Music is such fuel. And you couldn't have chosen a better group to represent the letter B than Bonjovi. What about that pic of Jon Jon? Whoa...

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    1. Music might be one of the only things Jess and I don't have in common. It seemed fitting! And yeah...he's hot.

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  5. Oh JBJ, whether you like their stuff or not, it sure takes you back.

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  6. Hi, My B would be Barry White or Barry Manilow. Or maybe even Bing Crosby. (Older generation, don't you know?)
    Ruby

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  7. I still love me some Bon Jovi. And I am totally unapologetic about it. "Always" got me through an eighth grade crush, AND a late twenty-something break-up. This is THE best music for cranking in your car and hoping no one else can watch you sing along.

    A great "B!"

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    1. Oh Always! Love that song...yes, definitely music to get over a crush by. I'm glad I'm not the only one still waving the Bon Jovi flag.

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  8. Having seen Bon Jovi in concert too (back in the 90s of course), I love some of there tracks. But a massive band for me in my youth was Blur and my favourite has to be Parklife, always makes me smile, know what I mean? lol

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  9. Yeah, they were the pretty band. *snort* They had their heyday when i was in college and had sort of switched to alternative/punk, but they still bring back memories, and MAN, he's aged well!

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    1. Like I said, I don't know of many front men who have aged so well!

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  10. Slippery When Wet was the first rock album I ever received, it was a gift from my dad. He was a country guy but sat there with me listening to Bon Jovi and he actually liked it. :) Just stopping by from the A to Z Challenge, good luck with the rest of the alphabet!

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    1. While not the first album I had, it was my first ROCK album, too - and it was my mom who introduced me to the music. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. My boy used to blast this out, and I became a fan. Good memories from your post, Dawn, thanks!

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    1. That's awesome, Glynis. Writing these posts has brought back some great memories for me, too. Music has a way of doing that.

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  12. Don't think I have ever heard a Bon Jovi song. Sure hope a lady doesn't come in and he needs to tip his hat.

    Gregg Metcalf

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    1. I wish there was a "like" button on Blogger, Gregg :-)

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  13. I remember loving Bon Jovi back in the 80s and boy, hasn't he got better with age. Great pic of him - yum!

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    1. Thanks, Claire. Indeed - he is pretty yummy.

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  14. I love Bon Jovi too. Not bad on the eyes for sure! Well, since I'm an 'oldie' I'll list my B-group as the Bee Gees. :)

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    1. I'm impressed with how the band has changed their music to be more modern and yet still retain their former fans...it's an art!

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  16. Mmmm! He is nummy. :-) Hi Dawn! It is nice to "meet" you. I have heard about you over at Jessica's blog but hadn't been over to visit yet. Looking forward to A-Zing with you and will be back for more music inspiration!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Tracy! It's great to meet you, too.

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  17. I had this really great insightful comment and I was going to impress you with my wit and intellect then I scrolled down and saw him in all his glory... my brain short circuited and I need to wipe the drool of my keyboard...

    *~MAJK~*
    Safireblade.com
    A to Z Challenge

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  18. Gotta love how well this man has aged! He is amazing! Nicely done~

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  19. Fun post. I remember sitting in a friend's room when we were in I think 6th grade, listening to and rewinding "Livin' on a Prayer" over and over so that we could learn the words. Good memories!

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    1. That was me and my friend in sixth grade, too! Last night on the Voice, one of the contestants sang it - another reminder of its relevance!

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  20. I'll stick with John Bon Jovi as my "B" man! -- I've always thought he was a sexy dude and I have Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet CD. Livin' on a Prayer is one of the best songs in their history.

    ~Nicole
    Blog: The Madlab Post
    @MadlabPost on Twitter

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    1. Slippery When Wet was my first rock album and I still love it today!

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  21. Hi Dawn, first time visitor and great to meet you! I'd have to pencil in Blondie for my B post.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Stephen. Nice to meet you, too! Blondie is an extremely great B choice.

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  22. Not my thing, but I just signed on to the A-Z challenge, nearly at the last minute, but I'm trying to visit every blog at least once.

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  23. I like Bon Jovi's music and his tunes are sure to live on.

    As a part time teacher, I have a Filipino student with that name. He's a rascal but has some musical talent as well.

    My favorite Jovi tune is, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive.' I have never seen them in concert either. I do hope to one day, however.

    See you at C tomorrow!

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    1. Jeremy, I LOVE Wanted: Dead or Alive. Thanks for stopping by. I love that you have a rascal student named Jon with musical talent :-)

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  24. Dawn, I wrote a post about Bon Jovi awhile ago on my blog too. I totally dug it when he cut his hair short and was performing Bed of Roses live on MTV- this was back in the 90s, I think. I went to a concert of his a few years ago- it was great.

    Somehow we missed each other during the Sad Songs Blogfest, but from scanning your list, I think we have some musical tastes in common.

    Look forward to reading more from you.

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    1. Cynthia - we DID miss each other. Going to check out your blog now...:-) Looking forward to seeing what other musicians we have in common.

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  25. You lost me at Bon Jovi. Holy sexy!

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  26. I cant listen to Bon Jovi anymore except the first album and the song Baze Of Glory. They are far to overplayed on the These Arms & Bed Of Roses front it makes me cringe and switch them off when I hear them now. First album is so underrated and under-played its criminal. Shot Through The Heart is a better song than Runaway though ;-)

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  27. I've seen Bon Jovi in concert and he is amazing. Never Say Goodbye was my bff from summer camp and my song. We lived long sistance and that is how we would sign our letters. Bon Jovi is such a hottie, then and always.

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