The American rocker said he “needs” to perform again
Bon Jovi quipped he visits Ireland so often because he’s “aspiring to be Irish” and wouldn’t rule out additional Croke Park shows next year.
The Bon Jovi frontman confirmed the band will perform six concerts across the US, Ireland and the UK next summer as part of The Forever Tour, marking his first return to the stage since 2022 following vocal surgery.
The 63 year old rock legend flew into Dublin on Wednesday evening to officially announce the Irish gig today. When questioned about returning to Ireland, he replied: “The most special.”
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The Livin’ On A Prayer vocalist, whose wife Dorothea Hurley has Irish heritage, continued: “There’s a feeling I get when I come here. Maybe it’s because I’m smart enough to marry an Irish woman. Our history takes us back to every venue that there is here in Dublin.”, reports the Irish Mirror.
Next year will mark two decades since the band last graced Croke Park with their presence. Other Irish locations the group have performed at include the Point Depot, Landsdowne Road and Slane Castle.
When asked if he recalled his previous Croke Park performance, he responded: “How can you not?”.
When pressed about the possibility of a second and third evening, Bon Jovi remarked: “Let’s get Jonny’s feet wet and then bring him back into the pool.. You know, one step at a time.”
The celebrated rocker explained that he “needs” to return to performing. In June 2023, he underwent a medialisation procedure to strengthen his vocal cords after doctors discovered that one of them was deteriorating.
Speaking about his recovery, he said: “I had a massive surgery with no idea that the recovery was going to be so long but I never lost faith that it would get back to what it needed to be.
“It was just a big surprise to me. I didn’t know what was happening. I’m 100% healed and that’s why I can come back.”
Bon Jovi remarked there’s a shared characteristic amongst Irish bands and artists including Thin Lizzy, U2, Inhaler, Van Morrison and Damien Rice – their ability to weave compelling tales.
He explained that whilst initially attracted to Ireland for its musicians, it’s the inhabitants he’s grown fond of. The rock legend commented: “The storyteller was a common thread here. And I was always drawn to the storyteller.
“Now I can go to any pub in Ireland and every one of them – singer or non singer is a good storyteller – even if many of the stories haven’t been true. I have believed every one of them.”
He added: “Initially, I was drawn here by other bands but I came to know it was the people that I cared so much about.”
When questioned whether he ever envisioned the massive success Bon Jovi would achieve from their beginnings, he joked: “No, I couldn’t have lied that good. It has exceeded every wildest dream that we’ve ever had.”
Bon Jovi also honoured Slane Castle owner Lord Henry Mount Charles, who passed away earlier this year, expressing his sorrow upon hearing the news. The rock star disclosed that he still has a photograph in his rehearsal room of himself performing at the castle, expressing sadness that upcoming artists will never have the chance to meet Lord Henry.
Bon Jovi is set to perform at Croke Park on Sunday, 30 August. The presale starts on 27 October and tickets go on general sale from 31 October.
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