BON JOVI: ZOOTOPIA 411
Source: Backstage with Jon Bon Jovi on 6/3/02 | Check out the Full Story
Photos: Z100.com | Zootopia Photo Gallery

The Z-100 crowd did NOT know what hit them last nite! Z-100 is a local NY/NJ/CT radio station and they hosted a massive multi-act radio concert at NJ's GIANTS STADIUM last nite. The band actually did their soundcheck late on Saturday night at the stadium. The show itself started at 5:40 PM last night when PINK took the stage... before Bon Jovi performed, the crowd witnessed sets by Marc Anthony, Nick & Aaron Carter, Alanis Morrisette, Goo Goo Dolls, Celine Dion and others. The members of Bon Jovi arrived during the show (some by car and some by helicopter) and rushed into their dressing room (which was actually the NY JETS locker room!) Waiting for them were gifts from the NY Giants (personally delivered by Coach Jim Fassel) which included a customized NY Giants home jersey with Bon Jovi and the number one on the back (it was custom-made to fit Jon without the shoulder pads!) Before the band took the stage, PINK paid a visit to the dressing room after her performance. Before the band was due to take the stage, they were hanging out in the dressing room watching the L.A. LAKERS basketball game on TV. When it was time for Bon Jovi to hit the stage at 9pm, the sun had set, the night had fallen and it was nice & cool outside.

The Z-100 Morning Zoo on-air staff introduced the NY Yankees (Including David Wells, Jay Spencer, Roger Clemens, Jason Giambi, Steve Karsay, Jay Van der Wal and others) to a roar of the crowd...then, David Wells took the mike and introduced "NEW JERSEY'S FINEST: BON JOVI" and the stadium EXPLODED!!! The band broke into YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME and that crowd did not know what hit them. Everyone was up - dancing, singing, taking part in the show. There was a Z-shaped catwalk jutting out from downstage center that extended into a small GA pit. Jon strutted on that catwalk and interacted with the crowd and the whole place was just on fire (in fact, BON JOVI shot off fireworks twice during their mini-set!) After BAD NAME, the band performed IT'S MY LIFE, LIVIN' ON A PRAYER, WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE (Jon did announce it as "All rise, for the playing of our national anthem...") and BAD MEDICINE. Jon had the crowd in the palm of his hand - everyone in that stadium... if they weren't there to see Bon Jovi were now converted fans. The band stole the show!

There's more to the story! CLICK HERE to read the FULL ARTICLE from BackstageJBJ.com!