Bon Jovi Down Under...

Bon Jovi to rock Melbourne in December

Superstar rockers Bon Jovi will tour Australia in December – with a stadium-size spectacular.

"We're back on the road, doing it, and all is going well," frontman Jon Bon Jovi said.

"We built our reputation on being a live band. It took three albums to break and 500 shows to build a foundation around globe.

"Now, we're on the most upper echelon of what a touring band is.

"We can't wait to bring that to Australia."

The amazing numbers and statistics surrounding Bon Jovi’s latest tour, called The Circle, support this.

The show, one of the biggest-ever staged in Australia, will play in stadiums.

A massive stage, with an inner circle for 420 fans, is backed by the world’s largest high definition video screen, 35 metres long.

Promoter Paul Dainty said the tour blows all expectations.

Dainty, who saw the show with 55,000 fans in New Jersey said: "I thought I'd seen it all until I walked into this.

"This is beyond huge, this is amazing. Bon Jovi fans in Australia are in for the night of their lives."

In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview, Bon Jovi revealed:

* HE wants to emulate the Rolling Stones, but not tour forever like they do.
* HIS band hired a psychologist to help them keep it real.

"You learn to say 'Yes, dear' a lot. Or 'You're the boss," Bon Jovi laughed.

He and wife, Dorothea Hurley have four children, Stephanie, 16, Jesse, 14, Jacob, 7 and Romeo, 5.

"We are lucky. Our kids are great. They are trying to get life lessons from their parents right now.

"But there is no manual that comes with parenting. You figure it out as you go along."

Bon Jovi wished there was a guide to handling success.

He said the band hired a psychologist when they struggled to cope with riches and fame.

"Suddenly, you go from guys in a garage to somebody making decisions that affects people’s lives," Bon Jovi said.

"Then there are the stupid, wonderful things thrust upon you, like money and excess.

"At that stage, you need somebody to talk to who isn't getting paid by you – someone who is not your manager, agent or lawyer.

"This independent third party is there to say: 'Look, put a mirror up, and you'll see this is a bunch of bullshit.'

Most bands go through this. They get to a crossroad and ask: 'Where to now?'"

Bon Jovi knows his band is still relevant to millions of fans worldwide.

But he is uncertain about performing at Mick Jagger's age, 66.

"Let me be clear. The Rolling Stones are our idols, role models and heroes.

"But I don't know if I can be out here, doing this, 20 years from now. said Bon Jovi, who is 48.

"So I want to be the Stones in every other way there is, except touring forever."

Bon Jovi will perform at Subiaco Oval, Perth, on December 8; Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, on December 11; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on December 14; and Sydney Football Stadium on December 17.

Tickets go on sale on July 8.

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