Jon Bon Jovi names “the greatest frontman” of all time
Over the last 40 years, Jon Bon Jovi has established himself as an iconic figure in the rock landscape, there are still artists that he admires, and remain an inspiration.
While the music industry is constantly evolving, with fresh faces rising to the forefront only to drift off into obscurity and be replaced by the next generation of stars, The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger is an immovable force who has been at the top of the mountain for 60 years.
When The Rolling Stones released their first single, Bon Jovi could barely speak, and they have been a part of his life since he initially became aware of the concept of music. Jagger is an age-defying presence, who continues to perform in stadiums with more energy than many artists decades younger than him.
During a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, Bon Jovi shared his thoughts on the age-old debate revolving around The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, explaining why both bands occupy a special place in his heart.
He remarked: “Tough question. My admiration for the Beatles’ songwriting and production — it’s still otherworldly. On the other hand, Jagger’s the greatest frontman — he’s the bar. I always say I wish he’d retire because then I’d know where the end zone is. I love the Rolling Stones. But we were more Beatles.”
Before becoming famous, Bon Jovi worked at the Power Station recording studio in New York, which allowed him to rub shoulders with a cohort of the biggest names in the music industry, including The Rolling Stones.
While many acts believed they were above the studio’s hands, like Bon Jovi, who worked at the Power Station, much to his surprise, The Rolling Stones treated him as if he was a contemporary.
During an interview with People, he recalled: “The biggest thing I learned there was the bigger the star, the nicer the person. It was the Rolling Stones who would hold the door open for you when you were coming in with the burgers and the coffee.”
Although the singer insisted he “wasn’t rubbing elbows with the Rolling Stones”, he added, “while you were sweeping the floor or parking their car, you would observe. The bigger stars would take a moment to say, ‘How’s that demo going?’ That stayed with me.”
Meanwhile, Bon Jovi recently revealed he’s still unsure whether he’ll be able to tour again after undergoing vocal surgery in 2022. “Nothing else matters until I work on getting better. It’s up to God at this point. I’ve done everything I can do,” he conceded.
While Bon Jovi has enough money in the bank not to worry about performing live, playing shows is a craft to the singer rather than a pay cheque, stating, “I won’t fake it…. the legacy matters too much.”
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