In 1997, Jon came to Japan for his promotion tour of "Destination Anywhere". He played his solo stuff at Budokan on July 7. That live was scheduled only 20 days before his arrival, but about 20000 people came to see his show.
How was the show?
Jon: When I heard back the tape and it sounded great, really good. It was a great night.
Jon: We said let's just do one night only at Budokan. That will...we can make enough for the fans happy, because I know not everyone can get a (premiere) ticket. They wanted to come. And if there was a big enough place that I can afford to bring the band. So, I love the idea of coming back and playing at Budokan again.
Again?
Jon: Well I haven't played...no, I mean to come back and do it where we did because I haven't played so many years. I don't think I'll come back again with this record. I doubt it. cos I just wait for the band to tour you know, Bon Jovi.
Have you noticed that it's been 10 years since you last played at Budokan?
Jon: Long time...It's still a magic place you know. It's the legend of from the Beatles and Cheap Trick record and you remember when I do that10 years ago, what a big milestone in our carrier it was at that time. We went outside and I remember I still have the picture in my bedroom of us in front of Budokan from10 years ago, and so with this band I said we have to go outside again, take the picture with the sign so that I can put it next to...you know the other ??? keep it as a ???
Is there any difference between Bon Jovi and solo?
Jon: Yeah, you know, they are different but both great. This is the great band and that's a great band and that band has been together for so many years and done so many things together. It's the history you know. It is a great rock'n roll band. Bon Jovi is definitely a...you know I would put us up against anybody. I don't care if it was Stones, U2, or the E street band, I don' care. I think we are a very good rock'n roll band. So, you missed it, because there was a passion when we play. With these guys, they are very passionate, but we don't have a history together. It's different.
What do you think about the reaction to your solo album?
Jon: Some is good, some is bad. It's No.1 in a lot of countries and you know it's a....the only place it's not doing great is America. America is a...slow. We'll see if it's picked up. And the critical response is some of it great, some of it mixed, but overall, it's good. You know, it's somewhere in the middle. Maybe it's just a slow record, it doesn't you know "Midnight In Chelsea" that's not a kind of songs just hit you over the head like "Keep The Faith" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" or something. It's more saddle. But I'm not really worried cos it's so early. It's only...just a couple of weeks in there. In 3 months you'll see. But who cares about the commercial success? It doesn't mean anything anymore. It's really just about I'm proud of the record. I would have rather done the record that failed than I took the chance on until rewrite history ???I just don't see the need to do that.