Jon Bon Jovi (64) cut his Madison Square Garden concert short on Thursday evening after about 90 minutes. The singer is battling a sinus infection, a spokesperson told US magazine "People". It was the eighth show of his "Forever Tour".
From the stage, the musician asked his audience to keep their tickets. "Don't throw away your tickets, I'll figure something out, don't worry", he said according to "People", prompting applause from the audience. "Keep them, I'll find a way for us to make this up." Shortly after, he left the stage saying: "I need to take it a little easier tonight. I'm okay, we'll see each other again soon, bye."
Spokesperson announces new information
The musician's spokesperson confirmed the reason for the early ending to "People": Bon Jovi had explained from the stage that he was fighting a sinus infection. During his residency at Madison Square Garden, the singer had repeatedly emphasized how much he was enjoying his return to the live stage with his band. Updated information is expected to follow shortly.
Until the cancellation, the evening went according to plan. For the 1986 hit "Livin' On A Prayer", the Grammy winner brought Pat Monahan on stage, the frontman of the band Train.
Nine nights in New York
The concert series at Madison Square Garden comprises nine dates and marks the singer's return after vocal cord surgery and a four-year break. On stage are Tico Torres and David Bryan, two Bon Jovi founding members, along with Hugh McDonald, John Shanks, Phil X and Everett Bradley. They are playing the group's greatest hits from New Jersey.
After the end of the previous tour in 2022, Bon Jovi had undergone a so-called vocal cord medialization to correct a damaged vocal cord. In 2024, he told "People" he didn't know if he could handle the rigors of live performances again.
"I've fully recovered"
The musician spoke about his vocal cord problems and the lengthy recovery last June in a cover story for the magazine. "I've often joked that the only thing that's ever been in my nose is my finger", he said there. "I never did anything that damaged my vocal cords, I had no excesses. I'm a trained singer." A doctor explained to him that one of his vocal cords was atrophying.
The procedure was successful, the singer continued: "I've fully recovered. It took longer than I ever expected, but it had to be done right. We never lost faith in it."
Bon Jovi founded his band in 1983 in New Jersey and became known in the 1980s with a series of hits. The international breakthrough came in 1986 with the album "Slippery When Wet" featuring "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name". In 2000, the group scored another worldwide success with "It's My Life".
