(for those of you who aren't members
of the fan club, you could send
in 10 questions for Jon, he would
answer the best ones and the ppl.
who send them in got a BJ item autographed
by Jon)
Q:They say it's best to keep dreaming
about reaching the top, cause
once you get there it's bound
to be a disappointment (except for the
money), what do you think about
that?
A:I've always liked the race more
than the finish line. The creative
process can be frustrating but when
it comes together there is
nothing like it. Sure success is
never going to be everything you
thought it would, you have to take
the ups with the downs, it's just a
part of life. But i wouldn't trade
the last 20 years for
anything, except maybe another 20.
Q:When it's all said and done,
what do you want people to remember about you?
A:As far as entertainment is concerned
I'd like the band to be
remembered as a bunch of guys who
dreamed they would and did
accomplish what every kid dreams.
Q:Does the business end of Rock
'n Roll ever interfere with your
creative attitude?
A:It's called the music business
.It's a job. But thinking of a song
that's going to get on the radio
or MTV to fit a current fad is
wrong, I didn't write Runaway because
radio was going to love it. I just
wrote it for me, fortunally, people
liked it. I know that there have been
songs we've written to please other
people but we've either never
released them or we didn't enjoy
playing them year after year. They
just don't feel as good.
Q: If you could give awards for
the best invention and most important
person of this millenium, what
and who would they be??
A:Without Thomas Edison there would
be no records, no movies and no
light bulb for me to be writing
these answers at 4:00 in the morning.
Q:How has being 12 or so years
older changed your thinking about
music, if at all?
A:I've come full circle with this
new album. We're not trying to write
we're just writing. The album was
meant to be fun.
Q:How do you feel when you hear
something about you that isn't true?
Do you ever feel you'd like to
set the record straight in public or
simply let people talk knowing
that the truth will come out sooner or
later?
A:I usually let it go and know that
the truth will come out sooner or
later. There's too much energy wasted
on anything else.
Q:Does the record company push
for new material and do they have any
influence on the final selection
of songs or do they pretty much
leave you alone?
A:I haven't involved the company
in the making of this record. the
new regime doesn't know us well
enough to understand the process. I
still rely on out instincts.
Q:You've done so many interviews,
is there a question that no one has
ever asked and you wish someone
would?
A:NO
Q:How did you come to write "Sometimes
It's a Bitch" for Stevie Nicks?
A: Billy Falcon and I wrote that
trying to put ourselves in her
shoes. We just tried to say something
about Stevie that may not have
been said in such a direct manner
before.
Q:During an interview you said
that the notebook you wrote the songs
from Destination Anywhere in
was misplaced during travel. Was it ever
found? Were the final songs on
the CD the original songs or did you
have to rewrite them?
A: My book was misplaced and yet
it was found. i was so grateful
cause I had no back-up and couldn't
remember all the lyrics.
Q:Do you have any aspirations
to direct and produce movies as well as
act in them?
A:Dorothea says it's only a matter
of time but not right now. I'm
just trying to get acting jobs and
make records. That's difficult
enough.
Q:Cosmopolitan named you one of
the sexiest men the world recently
and a few years ago you were
on people's "50 most beautiful people in
the world" list. Does it bother
you that sometimes people seem to
think more of your looks than
your music?
A:It used to bother me back in the
Slippery era when i felt that the
music wasn't being paid enough attention
to. Now, we've been around
forever and the body of work speaks
for itself.
Q:What's the best thing that music
gives you?
A:Freedom, I can create something,
have control of every aspect of it
and can get paid for it.
Q:What does the future hold for
Bon Jovi?
A:Other than probably release date
of May 2000 I really don't know. I
imagine we'll tour at least for
the second halve of the year then, who
knows.
Q:While listening to Slippery
When Wet, I noticed that the song Pink
Flamingos precedes Let it Rock
and although it appears on the album
musically, it doesn't appear
on the song listening on the album
sleeve/CD insert. Why is that?
A: It's not really a song it's just
a musical interlude.
Q:If you could arrange a concert
anywhere at all, where would it be
and who'd be on the playing list?
A: The ultimate show took place
in Red Bank almost 2 years ago. As a
benefit for Patrick King, a police
officer who was killed on duty. It
was called Jon Bon Jovi and Friends
which was really Bruce Southside,
Little Steven and Bon Jovi.
Q:What advice would you give to
an aspiring musician who hopes to be
successful?
A: Be True
Q:What other bands do you like?
A:The Wallflowers, Everlast, AC/DC,
and all the old stuff I grew up on.
Q:Now that you're busy in the
studio again, what parts of the
recording process so you enjoy
(and dislike) the most, and why?
A:I'd have to say that the process
in the studio has been a blast.
nobody knows how the record will
be accepted but the process has been
so easy and productive i don't remember
anything other than maybe
Slippery being this easy. Preparation
has been the key element.
Q: So many people would like to
meet you; is there someone you'd like
to meet who you've never met
before?
A:Frank Sinatra, because the guy
really was the ultimate in cool. He
did 60 movies and toured till he
was 80. he also helped elect a
president and did wonders to so
many of his friends.
Q: Do you ever wish you were anonymous?
A:Rarely, being me is good job.
Q:Can a song meant to be a ballad
at first end up a rock song? Or the
other way around?
A:It's possible. Say it isn't so
on the new record was a mid
tempo, Sheryl Crow sounding, mellower
track, it Rocks now!
Q:What is the best advice about
life you've ever received?
A:Be true, be loyal, forgive but
don't forget and don't order anything
on the menu you can pronounce.
Q:Have you ever had a creative
block? If so ,how did you overcome it?
A:Don't push it. It might be a week
or a month maybe a year. It
happens. I've realized it's OK,
so I'll wait it out and start reading
scripts or different books or sometimes
listen to other
records. Sometimes it's as simple
as watching a movie. One line of
dialogue can bring on a whole song.
Q:Can you describe the different
stages in he process of recording a
song in the studio? What really
comes first, and what has to be done
last?
A:Considering the song is written
and arranged, we'll record the basic
tracks which are drums and bass
with a scratch guitar, keyboard and
vocal. Then you re-do the guitars,
keyboards and lead vocals. Finally
it's background vocals, percussion
and any strings if necessary.
lastly it's mixed and mastered.
Q:Do you think the current music
scene is moving away from real
musicians and into anyone who
can get a studio sound but are unable
to recreate it live?
A:Yes and No. Some of the pop songs
on the radio as well as the rap
stuff are product of the studio
environment but then the Chili
peppers and us o in and record an
organic rock record.
Q:We all know you loved the Godfather
I and II. if you had the
opportunity to be in either of
them, what character would you have
liked to play and why?
A:I'm part Michael and part Sonny.
I take cae of a lo of people and
sometimes I need people to take
care of me.
Q: Will the band ever release
a collection of B sides, which, up till
now, are only available on imports?
A: B sides are plentiful around
here and it might be a good idea as a
part of a box set or something.
Q:Do you feel that the critical
acclaim you've been given as an actor
will in any way affect public
reaction to your music? If so, why?
A: Recently I've been told that
a hit record would help me get
bigger, better roles in movies.
But for the last five years it was
the opposite in Hollywood. Those
guys said "we don't believe a rock
star can be believable as an actor."
It goes to show that they're
clueless.
Q:The life of a rock star can
be trying with the loss of privacy and
rigid touring schedules, if either
of your children wanted to pursue
a career in rock music would
you encourage or discourage them based
on your experiences?
A:No, I'd encourage my kids if they
go into music but only if they did
it because they loved it, not because
dad does it.
Q:Who has been the greatest influence
in your music career? Do you
ever regret choosing music as your
career?
A: Bruce and Southside were, of
course, my greatest influences. And I
have never regretted choosing music
as a career, it's been an honor.
Q:You've said you don't like to
make video's, but what's the
difference between making a video
and acting in a movie?
A:Videos are difficult because you're
not really singing or playing.
Movies are similar to collaborating
on stage live because each take
is always going to be different
no matter how many times you do it.
Q: Aside from the other members
of Bon Jovi ,what 4 musicians would
you love to play with on stage?
A:The Big Dogs. Sean, Bobby, Jerry
and Everett are a great band for my solo work.
Q:In the last issue you wrote
that you had 60 songs but you and
Richie narrowed it down to 18.
How can you be sure you pick the right
ones? For example,I like Fields
of fire and Let's make it baby very
much and they were both demo's.
A:It's though but we try to look
at it like a movie or a book. the
final songs need a beginning, a
middle and an end.
Q:You sing with such emotion.
What do you think has more power
emotionally, melody or lyrics?
A:It's about the lyrics to me.
Q: My absolutely favorite time
of the year is Christmas. iId like to know
how do you enjoy spending you
holidays and what is it you love the
most about Christmas?
A:Christmas is about kids and family.
The time we spend together is
precious now that everyone is so
busy the rest of the year. It's also
a time to catch up with friends.
Tomorrow is New Year's Day and this
year had been a great holiday in
our new home with everyone and the
band.
Q:If you were to give a one sentence
message to your fans, what would it be?
A:Thanks for still being there.
Q:My son is an aspiring rock star.
So far the opportunities that have
come their way seem to be luck.
How would you describe Bon Jovi's
rise to fame?
A:Luck plays a part, but it's about
songs. Whitout a good song you
might make a record but probably
not a career.
Q:How did you feel when Bon Jovi
was named band of the 90's and Band of
the Millennium?
A: I thought the interviewer was
lying, but it made us feel really
great. we were flying for a week.
I know this record won't let you
guys down. the only bad news is
next year when all the fair weather
fans come back around and say "Oh,
I've always loved Bon Jovi" you're
gonna be sick.
Those were all the winning questions!!
