He hasn't washed for two days. He has coffee and fags for breakfast. He's former auto body shop assistant JON BON JOVI, and he's about to tell us about pig racing... Everyone wants a piece of a superstar - and, when it comes to Kerrang!-approved rock stars, they don't come much bigger than 35-year-old singer/songwriter/actor Jon Bon Jovi. 

With mothership Bon Jovi, the man has sold more than 70 million records. Needless to say, Jon's had his face plastered on thousands of magazine covers the world over - not to mention a good few bedrooms. Love him or hate him, he's a household name in every sense of the word. 

If Jon has managed to retain his position among rock's elite for close to 15 years, it's largely due to his ability to move with the times and reinvent himself, both musically and image-wise. From an infamously poodle-permed, fresh-faced rock star, he's become the cooler, more worldly-wise individual we see today. 

Despite his recent air of sophistication, he's never lost touch with the people who buy his records. And there are times when you can bet that Jon still dreams of being the modern day cowboy he's depicted himself as being in Bon Jovi classics like 'Wanted: Dead Or Alive'. On a steel horse he rides. Or something... 

Away from the glitz and glamour that surrounds a multi-million-selling artist, how does JBJ cope with reality? When he's not playing the biggest arenas on the planet, what does he get up to? When he's not hob-nobbing with the likes of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, who does he hang out with? 

Kerrang! tracked Jon down to his New Jersey home, where we found him in regular-guy mode, relaxing inbetween a gruelling schedule promoting his recently released solo album 'Destination Anywhere', filming a trailer for VH-1 America and preparing to hit the road again. Away from all things musical, we peer into the private life of a superstar... 

Kerrang!: Had you not pursued a career in music, what do you think you'd be doing now?
Jon: "Well, I know I'd still be here in New Jersey, working at something locally here in Sayreville." 

What held your interest as a kid, then?
"Not too much. Music was pretty much all I wanted to do from an early age. I mean, I did do odd jobs. I worked in an auto body shop one summer and took a lot of pleasure in it. Perhaps I'd be doing something like that now if things hadn't worked out, learning a craft and feeling good about it. I know that I couldn't be the Assistant Manager of Kinney's Shoe Store!" 

Were you into sports?
"I realised that I would never be good enough to play sports, so it was something I never pursued. But I did follow (American Football Team) the New York Giants. Still do, in fact!" 

Did you ever envisage yourself as being married and the father of two children by the time you were 35?
"Yeah, it was the normal life for a guy from where I come from. But it's a lot of work! I mean, I've been home 10 days and I already want to go back to work! 

"No, seriously, I enjoy spending time with my wife and children. I love taking my kids places and putting them to bed, y'know? I spent last night at the State Fair with my daughter, watching the pig races! She really enjoyed it and that makes it all worthwhile. And this morning the local newspaper is full of those damn pig races!" 

Does it bother you that the family is an institution that isn't particularly held in as much high esteem by society in general these days?
"No, it's just all part of life. See, I've never said that I'm particularly good at being a perfect family man, but I'm trying." 

Parents can often live their lives through their kids. Is there anything you wish or hope your children can achieve that has eluded you?
"I don't know. Man, this is pretty deep! I guess, in answer to the question, that - unlike me - I'd like them to quickly realise what a big world it is out there, to learn other languages, and for them to pay attention to the fact that there are other countries and cultures." 

Would you want them to follow in your footsteps into the world of showbiz?
"Sure, I wouldn't mind at all! It's a good living. A great life!" 

How do you get away from the pressures of work?
"I go to the movies, ride my motorcycle, the usual stuff. I like to go out for a run in the morning, too." 

What movies have you seen lately?
"I haven't seen one in a while, to tell you the truth." 

We haven't had the chance to see 'The Leading Man' over the UK. A lot of people have written to Kerrang! saying they'd love to see it.
"So would I! It's a very intelligent movie, it's just taken a while to get out. It's now showing in a few places around the world, but I've heard that it'll finally be out in Europe in September." [Sept 12th in the UK!!!!!] 

What about records? What was the last CD you bought?
"Probably Del Amitri's new album ('Some Other Sucker's Parade'). Actually, I went to the record store the other day and there was nothing there that I wanted! I couldn't find anything! Not a single f**king record! I tell you, the American music scene is just very strange right now." 

Have you seen any gigs recently?
"I've seen The Wallflowers again since I saw them in London with some friends when I was last over there. They were playing in New Jersey, but I didn't get up and play with them this time. I also saw Lyle Lovett (country star, once married to actress Julia Roberts) recently, sitting out there in the audience!" 

So, do you have any expensive hobbies? What do you spend your dough on?
"Y'know, I'm not a high maintenance guy. I'm long over the period of buying cars and jewellery. I think most of the money I spend now goes on my house. Besides that, I'm just happy going to the movies." 

But have you ever got the drinks in?!
"Believe me, I've bought more than a few rounds in my time! I'm the guy who always ends up with the bill!" 

Who do you hang out with socially these days?
"I've been hanging out with Snake (Skid Row guitarist Dave 'Snake' Sabo, who Jon has been pals with since school days) a lot lately. I went over his house the other day and he played me his new stuff. I don't know whether it'll be Skid Row or something else. I don't know if Skid Row is over or whether Sebastian is still in the band, but this stuff is more like the last Manic Street Preachers album - very contemporary, with the energy of Cheap Trick. 

"As for other people, well, Tico (Torres, Bon Jovi drummer) came over the other day, and I went out with Bruce Springsteen, but he's not doing anything at the moment." 

Is this business easy to make or keep friends in? Or is it just an acquaintance thing?
"Oh, it's very much an acquaintance thing. Usually, you just run into someone if they happen to be in town at the same time. You get to hang out and that's cool; but as for staying in touch, it's something I just don't seem to do any more." 

You appear to be now a great deal more accessible, especially to your fans. Do you feel comfortable with the adulation, or are you just at peace with yourself?
"I think I'm more at peace with myself. I'm not going out there with blinkers on like I used to, where there was always too much information to process. 

"See, it's kind of strange to discover that people thought of you in a different light, when all you're doing is just being you. You just don't think adulation is necessary purely because an album was a hit. 

"So, when I sit around with fans I've gotten to know, or people like you and Phil Alexander [K! Editor], then I feel comfortable because I know everybody." 

Doesn't it get a little too much, every time you want to go anywhere, to be confronted by a horde of fans demanding an autograph or photo?
"No, because I can usually tell if someone is a real fan, as opposed to a professional autograph hunter who will employ their family to get you to sign autographs with the sole intention of selling them to real fans. That bugs me, and it's mean." 

Have you ever lost your temper in such a situation?
"No, you just keep walking." 

Have you ever been starstruck?
"Oh, absolutely. I got autographs from people like the Rolling Stones. Everyone is a little starstruck at some time in their lives." 

How do you feel about Jon Bon Jovi, the sex symbol?
"I don't pay much attention to it. I mean, like I'm sitting here in my office and I haven't had a shower in two days - and my daughter holds her nose coming into the room with me and the smell of stale cigarettes." 

In other words, you're a bit 'ripe', as Whoopi Goldberg told you in the 'Destination Anywhere' movie!
"Yeah, and my wife wouldn't even give it to me, y'know?!' 

But I'm sure, ripe or not, there are still a lot of girls out there who'd like to know what Jon Bon Jovi has for breakfast!'
"Coffee! Coffee and cigarettes. That should be an album title!" 

With acting as your latest career move, are you aware that it could conflict with your 'day job' of being in a band and making music?
"Oh yeah, but I'm able to dictate when I want to record or tour. I really wanted to spend the rest of this year touring, because I've done the 10 shoes and they went really well. So, I'm thinking about going out again - but if a great movie comes up, I'll be able to do it." 

What role would you most like to play?
"Nothing that good makes me want to go 'Oh man!'. There *is* a great 'ensemble' picture happening in Australia - a World War II movie, I think - with Sean Penn, Gary Oldman and John Travolta, but I'm a little late. I'd only wanted to do it because of the people involved. I would love to be able to work with those guys." 

Bearing in mind that it's the anniversary of his death this weekend (August 16), would you ever play Elvis Presley?
"No, it's been done." 

But it would be pretty outrageous. So, what's the most ludicrous thing you've ever done?
"I don't know anything that I've done that was quite ludicrous. I've had extravagances, and I had the nerve to open for ZZ Top with the band when we didn't yet have a record out back in 1984, but I've yet to put on a dress and walk down Kensington High Street!" 

You've been arrested twice, though, right?
"Yeah, I got arrested when I was a kid for selling bootleg posters outside Madison Square Garden in New York, trying to get enough money for a ticket to see Bruce Springsteen. And then there was an incident in the '80s when I broke into a skating rink in Central Park..." 

Drink was involved then, wasn't it?
"Certainly was. Too much. I lost count!" 

What's your favourite tipple?
"A good bottle of wine. It's the drink of choice!" 

And your choice is, Jon?
"Anything with a cork!" 

Lastly, if there was ever a piece of advice that you've been given that you could pass on to the readers of Kerrang!, what would it be?
"Definitely just to be yourself and not jump on anyone else's bandwagon. Even if something is fashionably hip, it's best to just go with what you know." 

JON BON JOVI releases a new single, 'Queen Of New Orleans', on August 18. He plays the 'Songs And Vision' concert at Wembley Stadium on August 16, along with Rod Stewart and Seal among others.