Jon Bon Jovi revealed the last song he’d sing if his performing career is drawing to a close – and admitted it wasn’t what most people would expect.
His future remains in doubt after he underwent vocal cord surgery in 2022. He previously explained that, while he’d been able to track upcoming Bon Jovi album Forever by taking his time, he still hoped to “do two-and-a-half hours a night four nights a week for months on end” – but he didn’t know if he’d ever be able to.
Asked by Classic Rock to choose one last song to perform, Bon Jovi replied: “Oh my God – just one? That puts me on the spot!”
He continued: “The first one that came to mind would be ‘These Days,’ which I guess nobody would ever think.” He quoted some of the lyrics: These days, the stars seem out of reach /These days, there ain’t a ladder on the streets / These days are fast, nothing lasts in this graceless age / There ain’t nobody left but us these days, adding: “I think that sort of encapsulates where I am at this moment in time.”
Documentary series Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story airs this week, which the frontman said aimed to be as honest as possible about his band’s history. “It was uncomfortable,” he allowed. “But all I’ve ever wanted to sell was the truth, and so if you’re not gonna show it warts and all, don’t bother.
“Once I had realized that I’d handed the reins to [director] Gotham Chopra and his producer and editor, I was solely focused on writing a record, and then this unexpected health issue that I had to deal with.
“So the last thing I was considering was, ‘How’s this documentary going?’ I had bigger fish to fry.”
Listen to Bon Jovi’s ‘These Days’
The ’80s Most Outrageous Rock Fashion
In the same way that ducktails defined the ’50s and bell bottoms became shorthand for the ’70s, neon-lit sartorial choices can be firmly placed in the Reagan years.
Gallery Credit: Nick DeRiso
Def Leppard
YouTube
Ripped Jeans
We see some cool jorts in Joe Elliott’s immediate future.
Kiss
Mercury
Kiss
If you’re going to wear a brooch, make it a super-scary brooch.
Ozzy Osbourne
YouTube
Ozzy Osbourne
Brought to you by Aqua Net.
YouTube
David Lee Roth
The gloves really tie it all together.
Twisted Sister
Atlantic
Twisted Sister
Needs more straps.
Whitesnake
Mercury
Whitesnake
Needs more fringes.
Rolling Stones
Rolling Stones Records
Rolling Stones
Protective eyewear not included.
Heart
Capitol
Heart
Sgt. Pepper called, and he wants his stuff back.
Guns N’ Roses
YouTube
Guns N’ Roses
Brought to you by Aqua Net.
Bon Jovi
Mercury
Bon Jovi
Turns out, shoulder pads weren’t just for football.
Van Halen
YouTube
Van Halen
Those red shoes are actually pretty awesome.
Poison
Elektra
Poison
A lot would change, but it turns out that bandanna wasn’t going anywhere.
Rush
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Rush
New wave in the front, prog in the back.
Quiet Riot
Pasha
Quiet Riot
“May potentially contain seizure triggers for those with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.”
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
YouTube
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Brought to you by Aqua Net.
Aerosmith
Geffen
Aerosmith
Damn you, ‘Miami Vice.’
Sammy Hagar
Paul Natkin, Getty Images
Sammy Hagar
Also needs more straps.
Hall and Oates
YouTube
Hall and Oates
Don’t even think about it. Say, “No go.”
Starship
RCA
Starship
Surprisingly, wearing a tie with your T-shirt did not last.
Journey
Columbia
Journey
You should have seen what the bassist was wearing.
Moody Blues
Polydor
Moody Blues
One of these things is not like the others.
Yes
YouTube
Yes
When you want to look like Sting, but just miss.
Skid Row
YouTube
Skid Row
They married trouble, and had a courtship with hair gel.
Warrant
Wire Image / Getty Images
Warrant
Looks so good, it’ll bring a tear to your eye.
Emerson, Lake and Powell
Manticore
Emerson, Lake and Powell
That belt flip was classic.
Bruce Springsteen
YouTube
Bruce Springsteen
Needs more jackets.
The Who’s Pete Townshend
YouTube
The Who’s Pete Townshend
OK, OK, here’s your MTV. Take it easy.
Fleetwood Mac
Warner Bros.
Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey and Stevie fought about everything, even who could have taller hair.
Dokken
