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Bon
Jovi
How
did I manage to meet him in person?
By
Carol Tan
Bon Jovi
concert in Japan - - continued from previous page
19 July 12:03AM Fukuoka
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Time for us to go upstage. I was determined to make the best
out of this opportunity. The wait was unbearable, especially
when we're surrounded by nothing but air at the flanks of the
Dome. The knowledge of our short existence on stage was
sickening even…
I
was filled with awe as I made my way
past backstage to the left of the stage… It was simply
amazing stepping on the stage, feeling the makeshift wood
creaking and bouncing with your every step. I watched in
admiration from the side before we were given the
"okay" to move out. I was 3 meters from Richie, 4.5
meters from Jon (but he kept moving around, so there…), 6
meters from Tico, 7 meters from David and Hugh. Omigawd,
omigawd, omigawd!!
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 Richie made faces at us several times (the 3 of us on the
left of the stage), which was quite funny. He would walk back
and ask for a drink or speak briefly to the crew and was
extremely casual. And he looked damn good in his black
sleeveless top and black flare pants!! He came over for a
handshake with the girl on my left, who, by the way, totally
irritated me. Dammit, I should have stretched out my hand too,
but for some obscure reason, I just froze!! He had this
intensely romantic puppy-eye look which melted me… And he
was slightly bowed like an English gentleman when he shook her
hand.
Tico looked over once I think, and for a long time at that.
I think he was looking at us. His handling of the drums was
just so mesmerizing!! Unfortunately, I couldn't really see
David well from my spot, but I could at least make out a
smile. Hugh was, as always, the quiet bassist flanking
Jon.
Jon made teasing attempts to come over but never did until…
When the moment of truth came, I went wild!! When he held my
hand, I almost fainted!! I held on as long as I could (duh?)
till he finally drew away and then, I did the unthinkable… I
stroke his cheek!! Left cheek to be precise. Throughout the
night, he had these streaks of face paint though I couldn't
make out its purpose. He had on a pair of tight-fit low sheen
silver pants (yes, nice
butt!! He ain't a Versace model for
nothing, you know!!) and alternated between long-sleeved
shirts and a tank. When he came over, he was in a long-sleeved
blue shirt. Right when he sang to me one on one, I took a good
look at him. I mean, I can't even remember if I was smiling at
him… He looked kinda pale, with his warrior-stripe face
paint almost gone, perspiring profusely. He has such blue eyes…
Actually, I really couldn't think properly when his eyes
pierced mine. It was THE MOMENT. But I get this feeling he was
kinda surprised when I stroked his face… I'm sorry, Jon!! I
couldn't help it!!
I
tried hard to remember the 2 songs I was on stage for:
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead and Bad Medicine. Ironically, the
first song of Bon Jovi which I liked and could remember is
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead after I borrowed their album from a
friend when I was 11. So it seems I'll remember the song for a
different reason now… Your love is like bad medicine, boys,
bad medicine is what I need!!
3
encores. I heard that the band prepared for this many even
before the concert technically ended but from my observation
of the crowd, which was too civilized and quiet for my liking,
I was worried their response might not sustain 3. But it
happened and I was glad it did. And I'll like to think they
did it for me because I was just about the only person in the
Dome who understood and shouted "encore"!! It seems
the Japanese level of English is quite notorious..
It all went too soon. We were led out through the VIP
corridors while the staff stayed back for the plaque
presentation which I had hoped I could attend. I got my camera
back safe and sound, thanks to William from Universal Malaysia
and a copy of the staff pass for keeps, thanks to Newman from
Universal Hong Kong. These folks were just so nice… I'm
quite sad the band's gonna leave later today. I've been toying
with the idea of waiting for them at the lobby (they might not
even go past there though), or on the 12th level where I
believe they stay (but maybe not). Sigh, I'm so upset I did
not even get one minute with them. I had such wonderful
visions before I came… But I know I'll feel bad about
pestering the organizers and since the answer's probably gonna
be a negative, I may as well make best use of the situation
and gain a few friends.
Besides, I always stress the importance of the experience and
the contentment from the knowledge and feeling of having been
through something. I believe I carried myself well and have
been well received by the big boys in the business. This I'm
proud of. I love you, Jon, Richie, Tico, David and Hugh.
(And sorry Hugh, for not including your name!!)
Bon
Jovi concert in Japan - continued
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