Bon Jovi's scheduled concerts in mainland China have been cancelled after the band has been found to be connected with the Dalai Lama. (Photo : Bon Jovi/Facebook)
Rock band Bon Jovi will be bringing its brand of music in Shanghai and Beijing this coming September as part of the “Bon Jovi Live!” concert tour.
Performing on Sept. 14 in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and on Sept. 17 in Beijing at the MasterCard Center, the band will put on its first-ever concert in the country. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi can be expected to sing cuts from their 12th studio album, “What About Now,” released in 2013.
Bon Jovi has been making concert tours all over the world since 1984, with the first one simply called “Bon Jovi Tour.” Some of the countries where they previously performed include Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Philippines, South Africa and Spain.
“Bon Jovi Live!” is the 17th time the group will go on a tour and the first one to be held solely in Asian countries. The band will be performing in Asia in this order: Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Macau, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and Israel.
The rock band will kick off the tour on Sept. 11 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. They will make their last performance on Oct. 3 at the Hayarkon Park in Tel Aviv, Israel.
For presale ticket access, one should apply for membership to the group’s fan club Backstage JBJ. Application can be done online through the band’s official website. There are three membership packages, namely, Online Only ($54.99), Standard ($79.99) and Signature ($159.99).
Bon Jovi is composed of Jon Bon Jovi, lead vocals and guitar; David Bryan, keyboards; and Tico Torres, drums. They are the original members. Additional musicians are Bobby Bandiera, rhythm guitar; Hugh McDonald, bass; and Phil X, who replaced original lead guitarist Richie Sambora.
Jon Bon Jovi, born John Francis Bongiovi Jr., bagged his first recording contract in 1983 from the defunct Mercury Records. The 53-year-old American singer-songwriter also appeared in many TV shows and movies.
Tickets for the Shanghai show have been selling since June 16. Tickets for the Beijing show can be bought beginning July 28.
