I Wish I'd Seen You Blow Those Candles Out....Waaaaaaaaaaaaaa-hoo

Jon Bon Jovi turns 45 today.

Wait...what? How is Jon Bon Jovi 45??? That must make me older than I think I am! I swear it was just yesterday that I was giddily heading to my first Bon Jovi concert in my denim fringed jacket, oversized tee-shirt, black leggings and way too many layers of socks stuffed into my black Chuck Taylors. What was that, 1986? I was thirteen, people! Why does that feel like 2 years ago, when it was actually 21? And when did "Livin' on a Prayer" become an "oldie?"

It's weird how the endless parade of my own birthdays doesn't make me feel nearly as old as when my childhood icons start getting on in years. However, in Jon Bon's case, he might look even better at 45 than he did at 25. I've complained about the unfairness of men aging way too gracefully before. I won't even bother anymore. It's just the way of the world.

So, Happy Birthday, Jon. Thanks for providing much of the soundtrack to my youth. Thanks for gracing my adolescent years (and adult ones, too) with your perfect bone structure, beautiful hair and dazzling teeth. Thanks for "Midnight in Chelsea," one of the most overlooked and unappreciated songs ever written.

Music snobs be damned. Jon's not going anywhere anytime soon. He can't. He told me he'd be there for me. Those five words he swore to me.

Comments

LoraLoo said…
Okay, I'm officially feeling OLD. I saw them in 1986 too, and I was only 15. OMG. At least he's still looking damn good 21 years later... there's hope for me yet.
Travis Cody said…
Bon Jovi is excellent.

Uhm...you do realize that Eddie Van Halen turned 50 not too long ago?

Or maybe I shouldn't have pointed this out.
I never was into the Bon Jovis and Van Halens of the world - I preferred the music coming out of Britain...
Liz Hill said…
Alright now that's just cruel. I am two years OLDER than HIM! And I heard Living on a Prayer on the 'oldies' station the other day GAAAAAAHHHH!!

And Trav *smack*

Loved the video--didn't know that song--it's a good one.
I'm not a fan of his music, but hot damn he is aging well. Bowie must have let him in on the secret to reversing the aging process.
I think I've said it here before, but I'll say it again. One of the best concerts I've ever seen and heard? Bon Jovi opening for The Scorpions back in '84.

I had only heard "Runaway" and "She Don't Know Me," and I thought they were just another hair band. In concert, they kicked ass and didn't go over the top, unlike The Scorps.

John and Richie pulled off all of their vocals perfectly, live. Only Ian Astbury and Steve Winwood have done the same, at concerts I've been to.

Not to mention that Richie played with both soul and skill, unlike Mattius that night.
Arlen said…
Living On A Prayer is definitely a staple on classic rock radio stations. Unfortunately, as all of our talent from the 70s and 80s aged (and usually well as evidenced by your picture), radio did not. It turned to crap.