Bon Jovi Confirmed to Headline Hard Rock Calling Festival
The band with a sound that just won’t quit has done well for themselves this decade. With a resurgence in the popularity of bygone hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer”, “Wanted Dead or Alive”, and “You Give Love a Bad Name” thanks to their inclusion in the popular game Rock Band, they’ve managed to reach a whole new audience and ride the wave of success to bigger and better things (which is pretty incredible considering the millions of records this band has sold worldwide). They’ve also released six albums over the last ten years, including the eminently popular Have a Nice Day. And what’s amazing is that this one-time hair band from Jersey is heading into their fourth decade as entertainers with enough momentum to stay viable for another decade. And they plan to kick it off right with a headlining gig at the Hard Rock Calling Festival 2011.
The festival is scheduled to take place in London’s Hyde Park starting Friday, June 24th and ending Sunday, June 26th of 2011, with music starting around 3:00pm and ending around 10:30pm each night. Bon Jovi is set to play Saturday, June 25th, although it is just one of three UK dates on next summer’s European concert tour. The Calling Festival next summer will commemorate Hard Rock’s 40th anniversary and Hard Rock International couldn’t be happier to have a band of Bon Jovi’s stature lighting up the stage at their penultimate event. CEO Hamish Dodds cited not only the band’s success (and rabid fan base), but also their long and fruitful relationship with the Hard Rock organization as reasons for seeking the collaboration. And there’s no doubt that they will draw a crowd. Earlier in the year they sold out 12 solid nights at the O2 in London, something that the band claims still gives them a thrill. And why not? There are only a handful of bands worldwide (and throughout history) that have had the luck and longevity to continue doing what they love for over 30 years, much less pack stadiums and receive top billing.
So far Bon Jovi is the first and only band to confirm their presence at the Hard Rock Calling Festival, but they’re bound to be in esteemed company. This year’s festival featured such big names as Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, and Stevie Wonder, so there’s no doubt that next year’s audience will be in for some wild times with a lot of great bands, although it would likely be worth the ticket price just to get a look at the still-very-sexy members of Bon Jovi (especially with their penchant for gun-bearing sleeveless tees). In any case, there will be more music than you can shake a stick at, and all of it no doubt excellent.
Tickets for the blessed event go on sale this Monday, November 1st at 9:00 am and start at about £60 per day, or around $95 U.S. But don’t wait to purchase tickets. If previous years are any indication, it will be a quick sellout.
Norman Harris is the owner of Norman’s Rare Guitars in Tarzana, California. Norm specializes in high end vintage guitars in addition to basses, amps, and accessories.
