MJMANDALAY
08-09-2007, 10:04 PM
Has the dynamic of the band changed over the years? —Aaron O'Reilly, London, Ont.
I don't think it has. It's always been a team sport. But somebody had to be the quarterback and somebody the receiver and the lineman. [Lead guitarist] Richie [Sambora] understands that, and the other guys have to collaborate as their parts fit.
Are you going country on us? —Larkin Werner, Pittsburgh, Pa.
No. To clarify, Lost Highway is not country. It's a Nashville-influenced Bon Jovi record. It's not George Strait or Alan Jackson. It's more Keith Urban, Sugarland or Big and Rich.
If you could choose only one song that showed the real you, which one would it be? —Doreen Townsend, Nashua, N.H.
I think if there was only one, it would be a tough choice between "Living on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive." Maybe because the themes of "Wanted" are a little more universal, it makes "Prayer" that much more unique. There is nothing that you can say is derivative about the song. It is its own entity.
What's playing on your iPod? —Aiden Bettag, Dubuque, Iowa
I have been a great fan of Damien Rice and his album O. Most recently, this Amy Winehouse record is slaying me. I love the sound of it. So I really do find great solace in the next generation of songs and songwriters.
What is the coolest thing you learned from being an actor? —Jessie Moon, Sinton, Texas
You learn humility, like when you go to an acting coach who makes you pay for 10 lessons in advance and makes you sit out on the stoop until it's your hour. That's all fine, but when you are not the writer, the director, the producer or the star, you also learn humility. I brought that back to the band, and I think it truly is the key to our success from the '90s on. It helped us not rest on our laurels.
How do you balance your family life with the demands of your career? —Deena Lytle, Petal, Miss.
It's not always easy. This week alone, I was in New York, Venezuela, Tobago, Wisconsin and Wyoming. I came home at 4 in the morning and was obviously delirious and had to get up to take my son to the dentist the next day. Needless to say, I overslept. My wife graciously let me sleep, said I needed the rest. Tomorrow I've got to take another kid to a doctor. I try. The day after that, I'm back to being a rock star.
You mention faith a lot in your songs. What is your own spiritual life like? —Lisa Sidney, Maple Grove, Minn.
I think I find more strength in faith than I do in organized religion. "Living on a Prayer" is most certainly nondenominational.
Have you considered encouraging Al Gore to run again? —Debi Dodson, Chattanooga, Tenn.
I may have been the first one in that line, but there are a lot of people behind me trying to say the same thing. I think I have spoken my piece politically with "Have a Nice Day." I find I can get a lot more done personally through philanthropy than I can stumping for either side of the aisle.
[B]
How do you feel about playing in your home state of New Jersey? —Donna Jackson, Cherry Hill, N.J.
It is actually not my favorite place in the world to perform. The guest lists are too long, and every aunt or uncle that you don't even see at Christmas tends to want access to sit on the drum riser or something. My favorite place to play is actually Dublin. I have got some kind of passion for that city. Something keeps drawing me back.
What do you think of the many Bon Jovi tribute bands that are out there? My son-in-law's the drummer in one. —Peter Wolk, Brooklyn, N.Y.
I think that they are a great compliment. And once I can start getting them to do interviews for me, they would really serve a purpose.
Taken from a Time magazine 10 questions article
I don't think it has. It's always been a team sport. But somebody had to be the quarterback and somebody the receiver and the lineman. [Lead guitarist] Richie [Sambora] understands that, and the other guys have to collaborate as their parts fit.
Are you going country on us? —Larkin Werner, Pittsburgh, Pa.
No. To clarify, Lost Highway is not country. It's a Nashville-influenced Bon Jovi record. It's not George Strait or Alan Jackson. It's more Keith Urban, Sugarland or Big and Rich.
If you could choose only one song that showed the real you, which one would it be? —Doreen Townsend, Nashua, N.H.
I think if there was only one, it would be a tough choice between "Living on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive." Maybe because the themes of "Wanted" are a little more universal, it makes "Prayer" that much more unique. There is nothing that you can say is derivative about the song. It is its own entity.
What's playing on your iPod? —Aiden Bettag, Dubuque, Iowa
I have been a great fan of Damien Rice and his album O. Most recently, this Amy Winehouse record is slaying me. I love the sound of it. So I really do find great solace in the next generation of songs and songwriters.
What is the coolest thing you learned from being an actor? —Jessie Moon, Sinton, Texas
You learn humility, like when you go to an acting coach who makes you pay for 10 lessons in advance and makes you sit out on the stoop until it's your hour. That's all fine, but when you are not the writer, the director, the producer or the star, you also learn humility. I brought that back to the band, and I think it truly is the key to our success from the '90s on. It helped us not rest on our laurels.
How do you balance your family life with the demands of your career? —Deena Lytle, Petal, Miss.
It's not always easy. This week alone, I was in New York, Venezuela, Tobago, Wisconsin and Wyoming. I came home at 4 in the morning and was obviously delirious and had to get up to take my son to the dentist the next day. Needless to say, I overslept. My wife graciously let me sleep, said I needed the rest. Tomorrow I've got to take another kid to a doctor. I try. The day after that, I'm back to being a rock star.
You mention faith a lot in your songs. What is your own spiritual life like? —Lisa Sidney, Maple Grove, Minn.
I think I find more strength in faith than I do in organized religion. "Living on a Prayer" is most certainly nondenominational.
Have you considered encouraging Al Gore to run again? —Debi Dodson, Chattanooga, Tenn.
I may have been the first one in that line, but there are a lot of people behind me trying to say the same thing. I think I have spoken my piece politically with "Have a Nice Day." I find I can get a lot more done personally through philanthropy than I can stumping for either side of the aisle.
[B]
How do you feel about playing in your home state of New Jersey? —Donna Jackson, Cherry Hill, N.J.
It is actually not my favorite place in the world to perform. The guest lists are too long, and every aunt or uncle that you don't even see at Christmas tends to want access to sit on the drum riser or something. My favorite place to play is actually Dublin. I have got some kind of passion for that city. Something keeps drawing me back.
What do you think of the many Bon Jovi tribute bands that are out there? My son-in-law's the drummer in one. —Peter Wolk, Brooklyn, N.Y.
I think that they are a great compliment. And once I can start getting them to do interviews for me, they would really serve a purpose.
Taken from a Time magazine 10 questions article