Direct from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bon Jovi bangs out the anthems

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

“It’s a long way since 1983,” observed Jon Bon Jovi, acknowledging his band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction a little bit into Chicago’s encore edition of the “This House Is Not For Sale” Tour before humbly adding “every one of you was there with us.” Of course, those who packed the United Center for the second consecutive year already knew the New Jersey boys were destined for the honor, despite 2018 being extremely belated beyond the quarter century mark for eligibility.

At the climax of “Livin’ On A Prayer,” practically the entire city bellowed “we’re halfway there,” but as this banner year for Bon Jovi so boldly asserted, any wishes for musical immortality have now completely come true.

Regardless of the timing, the distinction seemed to put some extra wind in the sails of its namesake, keyboard player David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Hugh McDonald, lead guitarist Phil X, supporting guitarist John Shanks and extra percussionist Everett Bradley, who wasted no time turning in the current show and chart-topping album’s title tune right on back to those early days via “Raise Your Hands.” For the next two hours, there would be many more from both prior and recent projects, including “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Lost Highway,” “When We Were Us,” “It’s My Life” and “Runaway,” living up to the guts and gusto of America’s foremost arena rockers.

Starting with “Amen,” Jon made an extremely brave decent into the seating area of the adoring audience, sticking around for “Bed Of Roses” and giving a multitude of hugs, handshakes and the occasional selfie. Indeed, nobody does the power ballads like Bon Jovi, but upon the front man’s return to the main stage, the aggression also cranked back up with “Lay Your Hands On Me” and “God Bless This Mess.”

As if the gang wasn’t already on a rampage, “Bad Medicine” came along and had the masses screaming at the top of their lungs, which is a trend that continued into the encore. Sure, the quieter “(You Want To) Make A Memory” might not have found Jon in the finest vocal shape, though it was a thoroughly devoured deeper nugget, while the western-themed “Wanted Dead Or Alive” shot another bolt of energy through the air.

There was no place left to turn other than the talkbox-tipped “Livin’ On A Prayer,” easily one of the most monumental working class anthems ever that maintained all its mojo and magic. At its climax, practically the entire city bellowed “we’re halfway there,” but as this banner year for Bon Jovi so boldly asserted, any wishes for musical immortality have now completely come true.

Kathryn Randall contributed to this review.

Click here for more photos of Bon Jovi at the United Center.

For additional information on Bon Jovi, visit BonJovi.com.

For a list of upcoming Live Nation shows, visit LiveNation.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the United Center include Kygo (May 5); Daryl Hall & John Oates and Train (May 18); Shania Twain (May 19); U2 (May 22-23); Depeche Mode (Jun. 1); Paul Simon (Jun. 6); Harry Styles (Jun. 30); Radiohead (Jul. 6-7); Panic! At The Disco (Jul. 17); Shakira (Aug. 3); Smashing Pumpkins (Aug. 13-14); Sam Smith (Aug. 15); Childish Gambino (Sept. 8); Maroon 5 (Sept. 14); Justin Timberlake (Oct. 5); Fleetwood Mac (Oct. 6); Eagles (Oct. 15); Elton John (Oct. 26-27) and Josh Groban with Idina Menzel (Nov. 6). For additional details, visit UnitedCenter.com.

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Direct from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Bon Jovi bangs out the anthems

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