Here I am in Rome, in a posh hotel that's set high above this beautiful city, waiting for one of the world's most famous rock stars...Jon Bon Jovi. This is the man whose band has sold, wait for it, over 80 million records and played to over 30 million fans!  This is the man I adored from the  moment I saw him when I was 19. ohmigod....he's on our balcony making a call on his mobile, leaning on the rail, that mini-behind - famous for being oh-so-tightly wrapped in denim, assorted leathers and any number of fake reptilian skins - is semi-hidden in  rather tailored trews. Shame. I've heard that Mr. Rock God can be non-responsive if he's tired, so my feminine charms work overtime as we're introduced.  A firm handshake. Good eye contact. I haven't fainted. He's around 5'9" (I'm in huge heels) compact, fit-looking with blinding white dentistry framed by a chiselled jawline. Jon leafs through Jump, commenting about Toploader, "I keep reading about this band" and Andres Johnson "I reckon he's got my thing down"

On Music
Have you ever heard a stranger humming one of your tunes? J "I was here 10 years ago, sitting on the Spanish Steps at night, just hanging out, and a guy was playing Wanted on his guitar and singing away." Eminem or M&Ms? J "(laughs) Eminem ...I like the guy. Do you have apiece of advice that you'd give to a new band? J:"Don't pick your nose on camera! (laughs) Write great songs that you believe in. Beastie Boys or Beach Boys? J:"Beach Boys" Is there a song that gives you the biggest buzz live? J:"Yeah, I could still play Wanted Dead Or Alive every night." Which new bands do you rate? J:" I like this Toploader and Embrace." Marilyn Manson or George Michael? J:" Manson." What's the most outrageous thing a fan has done to get close to you? J;" We were driving to a show in a van and we heard some giggling....there were two fans in the back who had snuck in..."

On acting.
Is there a part in a movie, past or present, that you'd love to have? J:" I'd have loved to be in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid....mmmm.....The Godfather." Action hero or romantic lead?
J:"(laughs) Romantic Lead." Tom Cruise or Caribbean cruise? J:"(Laughs) I think Cruise has done a great job." Do you ever want to act in the theatre? J:" It's too similar to touring - you're playing
eight shows a week. A lot of actors I've talked to say they like the idea of being in front of a crowd - I've had more people to dinner than sit in the theatre!"

On Life.
Apart from your family, what is your most treasured possession? J:"My home (In LA)"
London or LA? J:" London, London, London!" Do you have any other skills? J:" No, if a lightbulb goes I just throw out the light!" Is there one thing you'd change about your country? J:"Prejudice."
Gwnyeth Paltrow or Jennifer Lopez? J:"Gwyneth." Do you have a philosophy in life? J:" Don't let your life be run by fear - try things. I'll never be a guy who says "I could have done this, I shouldn't have done that" Night-time or Day-time? J;"Day-time, I'm a morning guy." What inspires you about England? J:"I Love London. I got a place in New York just trying to capture London's energy." Candlelight or spotlight? J:"Candlelight. (sigh!)" Have you met your all-time idols? J:"I met Tom Waits (big US rock crooner) last year. I was like an excitable young boy..a fan!" What bugs you? J:" Judging a book by its cover." South Park or The Simpsons? J:" The Simpsons. I've never seen South Park." What freaks you out? J:"Elevators" (He's got stuck in one...) What turns you on? (He takes a long time on this one, so I assure him it's not a sexually loaded question) J:"Personality." A lively personality? J:"Yes"

(Jon suddenly catches sight of my shocker 80s pic and I ask him to sign it for a laugh! My true fan side comes out now...) J:"Who IS this?" Becky: "It's me" J:" You're kidding!" (He's grinning, looking from me and back to the pic) Becky: "That was when I was insane about you in the 80s" J:" Get OUTTA here! You look so different." (funny coming from a man who used to have a perm!) Becky: "I loved the way you used to look - the eye-liner, the hair - the whole look" J:"Well, I'm diggin' you, babe!"

(We get up, he hugs me, laughing - zut alors!)

When Jon calls you babe it's not just words, sistas, it's BAAAD MEDICINE! Giving me time to recover, he nips to the loo.  As he comes out, I ask him if he's put the seat down!  As we part, he asks if I'm coming to the party later.....no, I'm getting my bikini line waxed, Yeh RIGHT!

The evening party celebrates the release of the album Crush and Jon's Movie U-571.  Donatella Versace and various Italian glitterati are wafting around the fake Roman statues, being served by staff kitted out in togas!  Richie Sambora, the jovial Jovi guitarist (married to Melrose Place star Heather Locklear) thanks me for asking "What made you blow the dust off your wah-wah?" at the yawny press conference earlier!  Suggestive comments had resounded from the band and a
grinning Richie had given the Jovi history of the "talkbox" (listen to It's My Life)  Jon appears and says he owes me a drink, takes my hand and the crowd part like the Red Sea as we head for the solid ice bar (I kid you not!) We amicably chat, but are constantly interrupted by people asking for autographs and photos - ahh, that'll be the price of fame....  So it's arrivederci Jon...until we meet again,when I may ask "Britney Spears or Asparagus Spears" "I hear you have 8% body fat, show me the other 92%" or "Go on, let's see that Superman tattoo"

Verdict
Did he live up to my expectations? Mainly yes. I did want him to rough up his party-neat hair, tell him to get his tattoos out, slip in his earrings and pull on a tight T-shirt and jeans...because that was the image of the Jon I loved.  But hey, the guy was adorable to me, and he'd look good in a bin bag.  I loved his drawling New Jersey voice. So from when I first clapped eyes on a spandexed Jon in the late 80s to this tailored mega-star in a Rome hotel 2000 he's still flying high on my idols list!"