Photo Cred: Kristin Blush

“Shot through the heart! And you’re to blame! You gave LOVE a bad name” Bon Jovi is the epitome of what pure and cassic rock-and-roll is. The band is the definition of the genre,with their music transcending generations. They are the songs that blared out of our Juke-Boxes, 2-track players, Walk Mans, Karaoke systems and Rock Band consuls. Throughout the years, the times have changed, the media has changed, but the incredible sound of Bon Jovi continues to rock the stage.

The Rock-And-Roll icons visited southern California February 26th and 27th, performing two incredible concerts for the OC folks at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Friday night’s lineup was a 19 song set with three encore songs to top off the evening. The nearly sold out audience was captivated the instant the band casually strolled onto the stage. Fans went wild and erupted in praise that came in steady waves throughout the performance. Jon Bon Jovi was as animated as he always has been on the platform that on occasion was as mobile as he was. The complex lighting intensified the spectacular performance with the perfect atmosphere for the set.

Live From The Honda Center in Anaheim

Flashbacks through the decades began with their 1988 hit song “Blood on Blood,” followed by their latest hit “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” from their 2009 album The Circle. It was the perfect mix to create an entertainment masterpiece. The screams softened to a hum midway through the show as the legendary singer and songwriter walked out onto the extended stage that sent him standing amongst the crowd. Bon Jovi played a cover of Leonard Cohen’s song “Hallelujah” perfectly as the audience swayed along. The time line hovered in the early-to-mid 90’s and the set continued with “Bed of Roses” and “Something for the Pain.” The artists’ hearts and souls poured out as the audience reached towards some of the greatest legends of their times.

Bon Jovi ended the show lineup with the song “Love’s The Only Rule,” off The Circle. But that’s not all folks! It was almost humorously obvious that the band wasn’t done, especially since they had yet to play their most recognized song worldwide “Livin’ on a Prayer.” So after a very short teasing absence, the band waltzed back on the painted stage for an extended three-song set, taking the audience on one last ride from present day to classic 80’s with 1. “Thorn in My Side,” 2. “Wanted: Dead or Alive” and of course that much anticipated Karaoke, and often lush group classic, “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

It is of course worth noting the fantastic support of the opening band for Bon Jovi on that Friday at the Honda Center. Dashboard Confessional hit the stage as the show opener. I have been a long time Dashboard fan, and I have seen the lead singer play an acoustic session at the House of Blues in San Diego at one point, but this time I was unable to arrive for the first song. I did however get there just in time to hear their near perfect cover of “Summer of ’69,” originally performed by Bryan Adams – one of my favorite songs of all time. From the limited number of tunes I was present for, my review of their set is that they were lively, talented and great compliments to the Bon Jovi “Rock Band enthusiasts” in the crowd.