Back in 2016, before Covid-19, superstar rocker, Jon Bon Jovi went undercover posing as a member of the bar staff at a karaoke bar to surprise some of his adoring fans. Jon joins in with the fun, singing along with his fans whilst in full disguise. After receiving weird looks from the party goers, he reveals his face to the complete surprise of his fans.
So why did Bon Jovi do all of this? His goal was to raise money for the Jon Bon Jovi foundation. Founded in 2006, the foundation’s full name is “Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation”, a non-profit organization that focuses its efforts on the issues of hunger and homelessness in the United States.
The rocker worked with a fundraising company called “Omaze” to create and record the “prank” on his fans. Jon dressed up looking like an old-school rocker with long dark hair, a large beard, and a leather waistcoat. He pretended to be working as a barman whilst his unsuspecting fans began their night, singing songs on the karaoke.
He would take the microphone from singers during their performance and playfully forget the words to his own songs. After a few songs passed, a couple of intrusive performances from Jon in disguise, and a stream of odd looks from the Karoakers, Jon reveals his identity. Jon Bon Jovi is a brilliant artist and using his position to create a foundation aiming to provide basic needs to vulnerable people is a wonderful act.
In May 2020 Jon Bon Jovi participated in Rise Up New York: The Robin Hood Relief Benefit (2020). This was a telethon to raise awareness and funds for Covid19 relief in NYC. Musicians, actors, film directors, and chefs contributed to the hourlong virtual event, which was hosted by Tina Fey. Over $115 million was raised.
Jon Bon Jovi submitted a pre-recorded, socially-distanced It’s My Life, the lead single from the band Bon Jovi’s 7th album Crush, 2000. It was an appropriate choice as “It’s My Life is Bon Jovi’s most well-known post-1980s hit single and helped introduce the band to a new, younger fanbase” (Wikipedia). The song has become a rallying cry for fans.
Many YouTube commenters note how good the then 58-year-old Bon Jovi looks. Others remark on his voice: “I like how this is a calm, mellow version of the original. I don’t get why people are saying Jon’s lost his voice, he still sounds amazing”. Another comment says: “He hasn’t lost his voice, it’s just matured with him. Like a fine wine, it’s better with age”. A final comment on Bon Jovi’s singing: “He never lost his voice, he just aged. Still sounds phenomenal”.
Since being posted on YouTube, the video has 6m views, which demonstrates Jon Bon Jovi’s continued appeal. So case closed: Jon still rocks! Many fans comment on growing up with the song “It is amazing how you can understand this song 2 different ways… the original when you were young, ‘I don’t care nothing, it is my life’ and now growing up ‘it is my life, enjoy it because I ain’t gonna live forever’ Masterpiece”. Without further ado, here is the original Bon Jovi version of It’s My Life: