A couple weeks ago I took the kids to see Bon Jovi in concert. At Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.
I have a long history with Jon Bon Jovi. Whether he realizes it or not. Sure, he's my age, and yes, it's partly the New Jersey thing, but it's bigger than that.
I was a young RN, maybe 24, working on pediatrics. We got a kid in, a 13 year old with beautiful dark eyes and a horrific brain tumor. Melaina was an only child, and for weeks after her tumor was surgically removed both parents sat by her bed as she slowly returned to consciousness.
The walls in her hospital room were plastered with posters of some new rock band, Bon Jovi. I had never heard of them and, to be honest, from the posters I couldn't easily tell if the beautiful lead singer was a man or a woman, with his long curly hair and smooth baby face.
With all the wisdom of my years I laughed off Malaina's infatuation with this clearly fly-by-night band, whose music I was sure I didn't know, and whose members sported what, even at the time, could only be called really bad 80's perms.
Then one night I showed up for my shift and the unit was all abuzz. It seemed that only hours earlier, completely out of the blue, Jon Bon Jovi and his band mate Richie Sambora had walked onto the peds floor to visit Melaina.
They sat and talked to her and her parents, brought her gifts, and posed for her parents to snap photos. Apparently someone had informed them that their biggest fan was very ill and they'd decided to make her dreams come true.
They came alone and stayed long enough to enchant not only Melaina and her parents, but all the nurses on pediatrics. There were no publicists, no reporters along for the ride. This was long before the internet, but nothing ever appeared in the news. It was clear their visit was no publicity stunt.
I was impressed. However young or androgynous the guy appeared in his poster, apparently he was a genuinely caring person.
After that I started noticing their music. Everywhere. And I liked it. As the years rolled by I bought one album after another. My kids have been singing his lyrics since they knew how to speak.
They laughed at how excited I got seeing him in concert. But they stood there singing with me the whole time. The band was really on that night; Jon Bon Jovi didn't seem to want to leave the stage. Even First-Born Son had to admit the guy, "puts on a great show."
It's fun to imagine what the celebrities we admire might really be like, but we rarely get an actual glimpse of who they are. Jon Bon Jovi probably doesn't even remember that he visited a sick little girl in a New Jersey hospital almost 25 years ago.
But me? I'll never forget it.
From all reports Jon Bon Jovi is actually a really nice and thoughtful man. I'd like to think that he does remember but if he doesn't, I also like to think, it is because he has done this sort of thing a lot.
Posted by: Michele | August 12, 2010 at 07:11 AM
Yes, even in interview he doesn't come over as one up his own back-passage. So what you've written does not surprise me.
We have Donovan and many many more.
And you know I would not put money on his not remembering the little girl.
Posted by: Vincent | August 12, 2010 at 07:13 AM
What a great story. I am probably the same age and Meliana, so I probably had much the same crush. I'm glad he turned out to be such a nice guy. All too often, the people we admire for their talent have nothing else about them to admire...
ps- what kind of Mom takes her kids to all these concerts??? One that ROCKS!!! You really are the best.
Posted by: Mama Badger | August 12, 2010 at 08:31 AM
Yeah, mama badger, she is musically Amish :D.
Posted by: Vincent | August 12, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Me lovva the Bon Jovi! And now I have a reason to love them even more--big hearts. Thanks for sharing this story. And now I've got Livin' On a Prayer stuck in my head! :)
Posted by: TheKitchenWitch | August 12, 2010 at 09:08 AM
What a fabulous story! I love hearing about clebrities doing good deeds on the sly and not using the media to show everyone how good they are. This is one of those rare and true moments of goodness. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: SuziCate | August 12, 2010 at 09:15 AM
Great story! I've heard other good things about Jon Bon Jovi and I'm glad to hear more. I've always liked Bon Jovi and my husband teases me about it. I tell him it's a NJ thing and he wouldn't understand.
Plus, my husband's cousin's ex-huband grew up next door to Jon Bon Jovi in Sayerville. How many degrees of separation is that?
Posted by: Erica@PinesLakeRedhead | August 12, 2010 at 09:43 AM
What a lovely story! As for me, I've been a fan for years - and so has Oldest Son, who used to beg to hear "Jon Bon Jobi" as a 3-year-old. We still tease him about that.
Posted by: Jan | August 12, 2010 at 09:59 AM
I served him and Richie ice cream once and they were both so sweet. I have this weird thing where I can't acknowledge famous people if I see them, even if I really love them I just treat them like I would a "regular" person (except Mel Gibson, who gets my fingers in his food...). Anyway, they were so super nice and normal and gave me a nice tip, which is rare at Baskin Robbins.
Jon did a lot of work here in Philadelphia while he was the owner of the arena football team. He seems to be a genuinely nice and caring person.
Posted by: Lora | August 12, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I was going to go to one of his concerts (way back when) but something happened and my friend brought me back a t-shirt. I still have it!
It's great to know that he was so thoughful and kind. Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Heather | August 12, 2010 at 11:06 AM
From everything else I've read about him, I'm pretty sure he remembers. Good people just do.
I went to his concert in 2001, I think, and just loved it. I always enjoy his songs and he's one of the few 80's rockers who could actually SING.
Posted by: Sprite's Keeper | August 12, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Love this post!
I saw our other NJ boy (Bruce) at Gillette Stadium a few years ago. Amazing.
I'm sure Bon Jovi is a good show. You are an awesome mom!
Posted by: only a movie | August 12, 2010 at 11:42 AM
What a wonderful story. You actually just warmed my heart. Thank you. I hope you are doing OK.
Posted by: LPC | August 12, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Oh my goodness. You're making me re-think my anti-Bon Jovi-ness. Such a beautiful story. I love stuff like this!
Posted by: Jane | August 12, 2010 at 02:26 PM
What a fabulous story! (And I remember thinking he was quite the hottie. Mmmm. Nice.)
Posted by: BigLittleWolf | August 12, 2010 at 03:14 PM
What a great story! He sounds so cool!
Posted by: starrlife | August 12, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Great story. Brought happy tears to my eyes.
Posted by: Kingsmom | August 12, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Oh, that Jon, he still makes my heart pound. And now, it's not just because of his hair but also because he's such a kind person when there are so few entertainers out there who are (or seem to be, from what we know of them).
I love that you took your kids to see Bon Jovi (or vice versa). And I love even more that your son loved it. =>
Posted by: Stacia | August 12, 2010 at 05:47 PM
Wow, what a great story. I do have to admit that I could probably sing most of his songs...
Glad you had a rockin time, Maureen!
Posted by: Casey | August 12, 2010 at 09:33 PM
A friend of mine who is from Attleboro was there over the summer and went to that concert too.
They are really an amazing band, whether you like the music or not. They have been around forever and had their hands in many endeavors. I saw an "Inside the Actor's Studio" with them, and they, esp JBJ, are very very talented.
What a nice story!
Posted by: Kimberly | August 13, 2010 at 12:24 AM
What a beautiful story and Richie Sambora...yummy! I love this because Jon and Richie (we're on a first name basis) visited that little girl from their heart. They didn't do it as a publicity stunt. By the way, how was the concert? And one more thing, Jon has aged so gracefully and it's probably because of his kind heart. (Did Meliana survive?)
Posted by: Michelle Zive | August 13, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Thank you so much for telling this beautiful story! (You ARE one great story-teller) For some reason, it's making me cry. Maybe they are not human after all? Seeing how JBJ has not aged one bit and how his hair always stays pretty?
Not sure whether you are excited to see ANY JBJ sighting, but here is him on SNL. This short clip does not make any sense at all but it really makes me LOL every time I watch it.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/1415/saturday-night-live-snl-digital-short-people-getting-punched-right-before-eating
Posted by: subWOW | August 13, 2010 at 04:50 AM
Another reason to love him! Like I needed one!
I'm a cowboy..on a steel horse I ride....
sorry, he makes me wanna sing...and..er..some other stuff (-:
Posted by: MrsBlogAlot | August 13, 2010 at 06:07 PM
You should submit your post link to his web site or facebook page.
I bet he does remember that visit. Oh, did it all turn out ok for the young girl?
Posted by: lisleman | August 13, 2010 at 06:42 PM
I'm betting that if asked, he would say that he does remember that visit. I'm doubting they've made many of those outings as they became more and more famous...
Wow...so you *really* have a unique connection to this band! Go, you!
Posted by: kathryn | August 13, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Wow, I got goosebumps reading this story! It's so good to know that people who earn that much money maybe actually deserve it.
Totally a band I want to see before they retire. First tape I ever bought. I used to go on long walks in the woods screaming out along to the songs on my Walkman.
Posted by: Kate | August 14, 2010 at 12:01 AM
This brought tears to my eyes. I love that he came to visit that girl! I have always like Bon Jovi, but now, wow, I have so much respect for them. I love it when people use their fame and/or money to bring a little joy to people who can give nothing in return. Thanks for sharing this story. It's nice to hear about selfless acts of charity once in a while.
Posted by: Patty | August 14, 2010 at 11:57 PM
I love Bon Jovi too and their song Summertime is one of my favorites!
Posted by: Twenty Four At Heart | August 15, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Love it! You should write JBJ and tell him your memory. I bet he DOES remember it. From what I've heard, he's really involved in charity and political causes.
I can't wait until Jude's old enough for us to take him to a concert. Maybe next time McCartney's in LA? It would thrill him to hear everybody singing Hey Jude!
Posted by: Gretchen | August 16, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Wow, what an awesome story!
It's crazy how EVERYONE in my generation seems to know the words to Bon Jovi songs like Livin on a Prayer or You Give Love a Bad Name even though he was popular before most of us were even born. It just proves how good his music is!
Posted by: Liz Williams | August 16, 2010 at 05:15 PM
Hello Maureen, it is me, Lisa. One and the same :)
How are you? I am fine, I feel like I am really making progress in moving on.
Your post of Jon Bon Jovi is beautiful. He has a nice smile and boyish grin and I can imagine that he was kind and nice even when he was a young punk.
My new blog is rather personal (but aren't all our blogs personal!), but would very much like to read you and keep in touch with my friend.
Posted by: Aishah | August 16, 2010 at 08:54 PM
What a great story. Certainly beats my reason for loving Bon Jovi...I thought that bushy haired androgynous boy was simply delicious. Nice to know he has character and compassion. Any time he comes on the radio, I am singing along. Loudly and badly, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind.
Posted by: Mrsbear | August 16, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Wonderful story!
Posted by: Bert | August 17, 2010 at 09:27 PM
Lovely that everyone is prasing Jon, but there were two who visted, so Richie, you rock too.
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Posted by: church | October 06, 2012 at 04:52 AM