Jon Bon Jovi promises he won't be a victim of the music industry – Music News
Jon Bon Jovi vows to “never be a victim of the music industry.”
The 62-year-old “Livin' on a Prayer” singer, whose real name was John Francis Bongiovi Jr., revealed that he watched in horror as one of his musical heroes, Elvis Presley, was “misguided” by his manager before he died in August 1977 at the age of 42 from a heart attack after years of a high-fat diet and prescription drug addiction.
He told The Sun: “Elvis in the late '60s wearing a black leather suit? He was the sexiest man alive.”
“But he was misguided by his manager at the end of his life. I will never be a victim of the music industry.”
With John's emphasis on longevity, it's fitting that his band's 16th studio album is called “Forever.”
He spoke about the title and the group's long-term dedication: “It made me realise how much everyone has given over those 40 years.
“Who knows if we'll last 50 years, let alone make a record. This is a nice milestone to commemorate.”
John also spoke about how he believes he has been the driving force behind keeping the band together, even at the height of their fame.
He said: “Some guys drink and travel and then they wake up in the morning and say, 'Right, right, let's go.'
“(Drummer) Tico (Torres) had a hard time with drunks. He was angry and he had to get over it.”
“But he snapped his fingers, gave it up right away and hasn't had a drink in over 30 years.”
John added of how he avoided the pitfalls of rock music's hedonism: “I just didn't have the mental capacity to take drugs.”
He said his focus on keeping the band together also ruined the height of his fame.
John added: “[Success]was confusing for me and not as gratifying as the rest of the band.”
“For me it was, 'How do I do this tomorrow night and the night after?'
“It took a huge toll on me mentally. If there's one thing I'd tell my younger self, it's 'have more fun.'”
