By Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
One of New Jersey’s favorites, Bon Jovi, opened the new Prudential Center in Newark Thursday night, Oct. 25, in what was the first of a 10-show residency. But, a check of the Ticketmaster website today, in addition to published and broadcast reports, showed that plenty of tickets were still available, including at box office.
Even though a press release from the band and promoter, AEG Live, claims they are sold out. The shows also doubled as the kick-off of the group’s Lost Highway Tour. “We’re starting in New Jersey and then taking it to the world,” exclaimed Jon Bon Jovi on stage in his home state on Thursday.
Despite the slow sales, the New Jersey shows still sold enough to place the band among Top 10 concerts and events in TicketNews’ exclusive weekly ranking.
Concerts in more than 10 countries have already been confirmed including Canada, the U.S., Japan, New Zealand, England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Holland, Austria – and counting. Tickets for U.S. dates, which start in February, will go on sale Saturday, Nov. 3, with additional markets and dates to follow in the coming weeks.
“We applaud Bon Jovi’s decision to launch their tour from The Prudential Center in Newark to bring worldwide attention to the redevelopment of this American city, and the economic impact this arena will have in the band’s home state,” said Randy Phillips, president & CEO of AEG Live, the band’s North American tour promoter, in a statement. “We look forward to the most dynamic Bon Jovi tour yet.”
Bon Jovi have sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,500 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 32 million fans. Their latest album, the Nashville-inspired “Lost Highway,” was released June 19 and debuted at #1 around the world and includes the hits songs “Lost Highway” and “(You Want To) Make a Memory.” The band’s 2005 album, “Have a Nice Day,” featured the Grammy-Award winning song, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” and fueled one of the top-selling tours of 2005.
Bon Jovi’s Lost Highway World Tour itinerary:
26-Oct-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
28-Oct-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
30-Oct-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
01-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
03-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
04-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
07-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
09-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
10-Nov-07 Newark, NJ The Prudential Center
14-Nov-07 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
15-Nov-07 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
17-Nov-07 Ottawa, ON Scotiabank Bank Place
19-Nov-07 London, ON John Labatt Centre
6-Dec-07 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
7-Dec-07 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
9-Dec-07 Winnipeg, MB MTS Centre
10-Dec-07 Saskatoon, SK Credit Union Centre
12-Dec-07 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
13-Dec-07 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome
15-Dec-07 Vancouver, BC GM Place
16-Dec-07 Vancouver, BC GM Place
11-Jan-08 Nagoya, Japan Nagoya Dome
13-Jan-08 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Dome
14-Jan-08 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Dome
16-Jan-08 Osaka, Japan Kyocera Dome Osaka
18-Feb-08 Omaha Qwest Center
20-Feb-08 Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills
23-Feb-08 Chicago United Center
24-Feb-08 Chicago United Center
28-Feb-08 Washington DC Verizon Center
2-Mar-08 Philadelphia Wachovia Center
3-Mar-08 Philadelphia Wachovia Center
5-Mar-08 Pittsburgh Mellon Arena
10-Mar-08 Toronto Air Canada Centre
18-Mar-08 St. Paul Xcel Energy Center
31-Mar-08 Denver Pepsi Center
2-Apr-08 San Jose HP Pavilion
4-Apr-08 Anaheim Honda Center
5-Apr-08 Anaheim Honda Center
8-Apr-08 Phoenix Jobing.com Arena
9-Apr-08 Los Angeles STAPLES Center
14-Apr-08 Dallas American Airlines Center
15-Apr-08 Oklahoma City FORD Center
20-Apr-08 Kansas City Sprint Center
22-Apr-08 Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena
24-Apr-08 Nashville Sommet Center
26-Apr-08 Ft. Lauderdale BankAtlantic Center
27-Apr-08 Tampa St. Pete Times Forum
30-Apr-08 Atlanta Philips Arena
