Spinner

Bon Jovi Planning to Perform Rarities on 'Circle' Tour

Jon Bon JoviAfter 25 years of crafting rock anthems and stadium hits, Bon Jovi could fill a two-hour show with nothing but the obvious choices. But Jon Bon Jovi tells Spinner when the group hits the road this February in support of their new album, 'The Circle,' things might be different this time.

"I had a conversation just the other night with a reporter who came to a television broadcast and her thinking was maybe [play] some more of the obscure tracks, maybe some more of these album tracks you either play when you're in Europe or you don't play that often," he says. " I said, 'Gee, aren't I supposed to satisfy the needs and not be the selfish artist who wants to play these album tracks because you paid to hear me sing all the ones you hear on the radio, the hits?' And she's saying, 'No, you guys have also been around so long that most people in this audience have in fact seen you a bunch of times. So feel free -- believe me they know how 'Bad Name,' 'Prayer' and 'Wanted' go. You don't have to do them all the time every day.'"

That conversation obviously resonated with the frontman. "Granted, we're always gonna want to do those ones, but what if we don't play 'Always' and that was a monster hit ballad? What if you don't feel like playing ballads that night, so you don't do any of them? I think we've earned the right to have that freedom," he says.

That freedom could stretch to 'The Circle.' "This new album, I feel like it could be a great opportunity to do the album in its entirety. We've done that before when we did 'Lost Highway.' Because of the Nashville influence, it allows for that," he says. "The [new songs] were just made to be played in a stadium venue."

Guitarist Richie Sambora says whatever rarities his frontman wants to bust out, the band will be ready. "Jon's the quarterback, he's gonna call the set list and there are gonna be audibles and that happens all the time," Sambora says. "A lot of times we'll be sitting in the dressing room and Jon will say, 'Hey, let's just pick this song up, play 'These Days' or 'Keep the Faith' or something like that that we haven't played in 10 years.' Then we'll learn it on the spot, and take it on the stage that evening and play it. It's really gonna depend on the feeling of where we're at and what's going on."

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

15 Comments

Filter by:
cathy

I KNOW HE PLAYS A LOT OF HIS POPULAR HITS BUT THATS WHY WE GO I ALWAYS GET FLOOR OR AS CLOSE AS I CAN AND JUST BEING THERE DRIVES ME CRAZY TO HEAR WEIRD SONGS I NEVER HEARD BEFORE MIGHT TURN ME OFF AS I LOVE TO SING WITH HIM

January 28 2010 at 6:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Debbie

I'm at a Jovi show, I couldn't give a damn what they play, I will be like a pig in mud anyway.

January 06 2010 at 5:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
everts garay

I would love to hear love is the only rule. Great song....

December 25 2009 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hath

Last tour, we got "I Got A Rush". Nearly shocked the heck outta me. Not that's a rarity, but it's rare enough that not too many people around me knew the words :)

I would love to see some of the "bonus tracks" they put out on the Japan CDs live. Heck, I'd pay extra if they'd skip Bad Medicine/Shout :)

~ Hath

December 25 2009 at 1:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jovifan

I totally agree with the others who have replied.....whatever the group decides to play will be thoroughly enjoyed. Some of the songs on their albums that have not been on the radio, I sit back and wonder why. I'm with "Scrubbysmomma"...I would love to hear "The Circle" in its entirety. The album is a delight and the more I listen, the better I like it. Personally I hear so many #1 hits in this album. Consider this....perhaps play a few from Richie's solo album, from Jon's solo album and some from David's broadway show, then finish with about 3 or 4 classic Bon Jovi rock anthems. The message?.... "We are all artists in our own right, but together, pure rock magic." Whatever is decided, "I'll Be There For You"!

December 24 2009 at 9:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
scrubbysmomma

That would be the perfect concert to #1 hear The Circle performed in it's entirety and #2 to hear the rarities. We need something different this tour.

December 24 2009 at 12:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gtasue

So many of the songs on Circle deserve play time - especially Learn to Love

December 23 2009 at 9:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura G

YES YES YES!!!! Please, Jon, you know you want to sing other songs....You've TOLD us. And we want to hear them, too!! Please, the die-hards want to hear ALL the rare tracks, AND the unreleased stuff!!! Thanks for going with your heart!!! You've earned the right to make YOURSELF happy!! :)

December 23 2009 at 8:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JoviGirl71

I am all for them playing the rare tracks!! There a LOT of songs they've recorded that did not get radio play but that doesn't mean they weren't great songs. I've been a fan since the beginning and would appreciate hearing some of MY favorites live. Even some of the unreleased stuff would be nice!!

December 23 2009 at 7:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Maggie

Jon has said so many things "that fans wanted to hear", to turn around and all be forgotten, (not to tell that he was lying to begin with), that I will believe it when I see it, plus what is a rarity for some might not be at all for others.

Nothing new here.

December 23 2009 at 6:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply