SamboraBlog

And what of Jon Bon Jovi? He fills arenas with more women of different shapes and sizes than Elvis could have dreamt of. The guy works like a do, too, since the show requires him to do a tremendous amount of power singing, audience leading, cheerleading and emceeing.

Bon Jovi is up to the task, and he spends a lot of time in the audience winning even more fans. His enthusiasm is infectious. No one leaves a Bon Jovi show without a smile.

Best number of the night: “Keep the Faith,” a bluesy rocker on which Bon Jovi plays percussion and gets to show off some different vocal colors.

We also really loved the title track, “Lost Highway,” from the group’s latest album. And it wasn’t bad meeting former New York Yankee great Paul O'Neill after the show. Who knew he was such a Bon Jovi fan?

The Bon Jovi series was designed to give the new Prudential Center some visibility. If only Newark could get someone to run the place. The security team was overzealous, unhelpful and downright rude to the point of manhandling VIP guests. All the guests complained about the constant quizzing by security of where they were going and why.

Meantime, the person who identified himself by saying “This is my facility” was even less helpful. What a difference from the nice folks at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. If Prudential wants anyone to return, they should train their people a little better…