BON JOVI TAKES ONE FOR THE NJ TEAM WITH NEWARK OPENING

Bon Jovi became the first band to play the Prudential Center, the new arena housed in dangerous Newark in hopes they can revitalize the city.

Bon Jovi played the first of ten shows in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential center on Thursday night, kicking off a world tour. The trek is in support of their latest release, Lost Highway, and it is also the first shows in the brand-new venue that also hosts the New Jersey Devils. The band rolled through a repertoire of their hits with an opening set by My Chemical Romance.

Before the start of the ten night stand, Jon Bon Jovi explained why he felt an obligation to perform in the new arena, which resides in one of America’s most dangerous cities.

“The arena here and bringing the [Hockey franchise New Jersey] Devils here to Newark is huge. It’s huge for the city. I think there’s a huge commitment especially by ownership group of the Devils and the local government, especially the mayor’s office, to do anything in its power to revitalize Newark. This is our contribution to revitalizing its economy, telling people it’s OK to come and to try out the new venue. So I took a leap of faith like the Devils and came into Newark with the hope that we can all lend a hand.”

He also said that the name of the venue needs to be re-named something cool.

“I don’t think you can call it the Pru center. That’s just got no cool at all (laughs).OK, I’m opening the building so I’m deeming it ‘The Rock’. So it’s called ‘The Rock’ and nothing else.”

Bon Jovi has announced plans for a World Tour and we’ll have all the details in the coming week, plus we’ll hear Jon’s thoughts on the album. rn