SamboraBlog

After a minute of bumping and grinding on Heather Locklear’s soon to be ex-husband, security escorted the costumed man offstage and the band’s ringleader Jon Bon Jovi attempted to finish the song in between fits of laughter.

After the song concluded, Jon informed the surprised audience and band that a camera crew was on hand to tape a new video for the group’s popular song and he wanted to spring the dog on the band – and Sambora specifically – at the last minute to see how they would react.

Jon then asked the audience if they’d mind hearing the single a second time so they could obtain added footage for their video. The crowd obliged and the group rocked the single once more (they later performed the song a third time when they concluded their performance).

In addition to a crowd-surfing dog and surprised Sambora, the crowd was treated to an energetic two-and-a-half hour performance which included old favorites such as “Have a Nice Day” and “Last Man Standing” as well as old classics such as “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It's My Life” and “Livin' on a Prayer.”

Colorful lights danced across the stage and the group performed amid a spectacular light show during the duration of the concert. Throughout their set, Jon moved from the stage to a small platform in the middle of the arena’s floor seats – where he kicked off the show and told the crowd “I’ll get you howlin’ before this night is over!” – to a more intimate side stage, which was smack dab in the middle of the audience.

Other highlights included a solo performance by Sambora – who was dressed in black and donned a leopard print hat to sing “I’ll Be There for You,” a song he co-wrote with Jon – and a brief, stripped down version of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down,” which Jon sang.

Tempe band Seconds to Breathe, who won a Mix 96.9 FM radio contest and was awarded an opening slot on the bill, kicked off the night with 25 minutes of charismatic power pop/rock. The band, who often performs at Tempe’s The Real Bar, held their own in the packed arena.

SET LIST:
"Last Man Standing"
"You Give Love a Bad Name"
"Complicated"
"Born to Be My Baby"
"Story of My Life"
"I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead"
"Runaway"
"Just Older"
"Bounce"
"In These Arms"
"I’ll Be There For You"
"Everyday"
"I Won’t Back Down" (Tom Petty cover)
"Have a Nice Day"
"It’s My Life"
"Blaze of Glory"
"Bed of Roses"
"Bad Medicine"
"Raise Your Hands"
"Livin’ on a Prayer"

ENCORE:
"Who Says You Can’t Go Home?"
"Who Says You Can’t Go Home?"
"Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night"
"Wild in the Streets"
"Wanted Dead or Alive"
"Who Says You Can’t Go Home?"

By Kelly Wilson, Get Out
March 9, 2006