Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek and others in the article breathlessly tell reporter Jeffrey Mays of the Ledger that that jean-jacketed legend of the 80s, Jon Bon Jovi, will indeed grace Newark with his impeccable hair and repertoire of mainstream rock when the center opens on October 26:
“It’s going to be rockin’, baby,” Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek said. “It’s unbelievable. (Jon Bon Jovi) is a Jersey guy. He’s at the height of his career on a brand new tour. From day one, we said we wanted to bring the top acts and certainly Bon Jovi is synonymous with the best in New Jersey.”Sakiewicz said landing Bon Jovi proves the Prudential Center will be a premier arena able to attract top acts.
“With a number of Bon Jovi shows, we’re off to a great start at this exciting new venue which will play a major role in the revitalization of the city,” Sakiewicz said in a statement. “Newark will never be the same.”
Bon Jovi, the veteran rock band led by Sayreville native Jon Bon Jovi, is a top concert attraction throughout the world, and has an exceptionally strong bond with its home-state fans.
The group has performed at the state’s largest concert venue, Giants Stadium, many times – most recently, last summer. Initially known as a pop-metal band in the 1980s, the group became more of a mainstream-rock act in the 1990s, and has recently had some success on the country charts, too. Group members have always taken obvious pride in their Jersey roots, and even titled their 1988 album “New Jersey.”
Bon Jovi will doubtless fill the 18,000 seats at the Prudential Arena, which is huge for Newark: even if a fraction of concert-goers stick around to check out downtown or eat in the Ironbound restaurants, we should see some serious revenue for local businesses. That is, of course, assuming that police director McCarthy can make some substantial headway against the crime problem.