In the mid-'90s, most A&R execs were looking for the next Pearl Jam or the next Nirvana, not the next Bon Jovi or the next Poison. Alternative rock had taken over, and not many '80s-type hair bands were getting signed. Even Mötley Crüe was trying to be more alternative! But Bon Jovi -- the most famous rock act to come out of New Jersey since Bruce Springsteen, and one of the bands that defined hair metal in the '80s -- stuck to its pop-metal/arena rock guns and continued to headline soccer stadiums all over the world. One ...
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In the mid-'90s, most A&R execs were looking for the next Pearl Jam or the next Nirvana, not the next Bon Jovi or the next Poison. Alternative rock had taken over, and not many '80s-type hair bands were getting signed. Even Mötley Crüe was trying to be more alternative! But Bon Jovi -- the most famous rock act to come out of New Jersey since Bruce Springsteen, and one of the bands that defined hair metal in the '80s -- stuck to its pop-metal/arena rock guns and continued to headline soccer stadiums all over the world. One of the Bon Jovi bootlegs that surfaced in the '90s was Forever and a Day, which was recorded from the soundboard at Weser Stadium in Bremen, Germany on May 27, 1995. While there aren't a lot of surprises on this 74-minute CD, Bon Jovi is in good form on "You Give Love a Bad Name," "Livin' on a Prayer," "Bad Medicine," and other rockers that defined pop-metal in the '80s. Power ballads are also a high priority, and the band is equally appealing on performances of "Always" and the Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends." But as much as Forever and a Day (which boasts superb sound quality) has going for it, the CD isn't recommended to casual listeners, and wouldn't win over anyone who isn't already a confirmed Bon Jovi fan. For those who are seriously into the band, however, this rare bootleg is worth picking up if you're able to track down a copy. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
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