It was August 6, 1993 and they were playing the Spectrum in Philadelphia for the second leg of the "Keep the Faith" tour. At the time, I worked as a writer for a local newspaper and the concert promoter for the Spectrum knew I was a Bon Jovi nut. He sent me a fax saying they were holding a press conference with the band at 4 p.m. on the day of their show because they were one of the largest selling bands ever to play there. (naturally) So, after freaking out in the office, I went with our staff photographer.

Now, I was supposed to be professional and not freak out. But it was me, all these big time reporters and the fan club members who won a   contest or something and got to be there.

Well, before the band got there I managed to position myself right in the front row, in front of the podium that was set up. I put my mini reporter style tape recorder right in front and waited. When the band walked out, I nearly died. I had to stop myself from crying (remember, professionalism) but it  was very hard.

The conference was great, the guys were presented with keys to the city and all but you could tell they were bored. Well at one point, Tico and Richie started making jokes with each other and I was looking over at Richie (I am a HUGE! Richie fan) and he caught me looking and we both cracked up! I know he thought of me as an equal, cause I looked professional and stuff. But the best part was later.

No one was supposed to ask questions and the conference was over. Me and my photographer were hanging around anyway, cause the band was still out doing promos and stuff and there was no way I was leaving.  Well, Jon was at the back of this big room, talking to a guy in awheelchair and was getting ready to leave.  I looked around, saw my chance and grabbed it! I went up to and here's the exact words (I'll never forget them!)  Me: "John can I ask you a couple quick questions? Jon: (Looking at his watch and looking at me, like he didn't want todisappoint me) Walk with me! So I walked him to his dressing room and interviewed him!

The hallway we were in was real thin, so he had to walk ahead of me and he kept looking back at me. I remember feeling like I was on Benny Hill or something, cause as we were walking, all I could do was stare at his ass! Finally, I finished and thanked him and got his autograph for my best friend.

 When I walked back to the main room, shaking, my photographer took one look at me and dragged me outside and wouldn't let me speak until wegot in the car. Once there I started crying my eyes out and couldn't stop for like anhour.  He dropped me off at my friends house and I could barely tell her whathappened. I just made here listen to the tape over and over. He still talks about me that day and I know I'll never forget it. Just writing about it now gave me goose bumps all over again and I gotchoked up! I think I need to go listen to the tape now.

Chrissy
Philadelphia PA, USA

P.S. That also happened to be one of the best shows they've ever done.