Jon Bon Jovi's Opening Act

Tells 60 Minutes "I Haven't Had A Bad Year Since The Doctor Slapped Me On The Ass"

(CBS)  Sambora, who has made up for Bon Jovi's absence from the gossip columns with a highly publicized divorce from Heather Locklear and troubles with alcohol, says no one in the band has ever regretted the arrangement.

"Jon, he's the master of all philanthropic endeavors, sports teams, you know, song writing, record production. I mean, the guy is very, very smart man. And then on top of that, best brother a guy could ask for," Sambora said. "Very consistent. Always. I mean, played a big part in helping me out of my deluge over the last year, you know? Kept me up. Kept me working."

The loyalty goes both ways and Bon Jovi has made them rich beyond their wildest dreams. Sambora, Tico Torres and keyboardist Dave Bryan have been together for 27 years now, since the earliest days on the Jersey shore, and they remain among Bon Jovi's closest friends.

"You guys seem to get along pretty well for a rock band," Kroft remarked.

"We speak the same language. We've grown up in the same place. I mean, Jon and David, and I were born by the same baby doctor in the same hospital," Sambora explained.

"It's a relationship that's closer than marriage. You know, we can't divorce each other. Or, the only way out of this band I think is death. That's about it, Bryan added.

It's taken them to London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and a few years ago to Nashville, for what many people thought was a high risk venture into the world of country music.

But a collaboration with Jennifer Nettles and Sugarland on a Bon Jovi song led to one of their biggest hits in years. "Who Says You Can't Go Home" became the first song ever written by a rock band to reach number one on the country charts, and won Bon Jovi a Grammy, a new audience, and another life.

He thinks he still has a couple more to go. "My biography's only half written. This was just the opening act," he said.

"And what's the rest of the story gonna be?" Kroft asked.

"That's the beauty of it. I never was gonna be a coulda/shoulda/woulda. Too many people I've met are, 'I coulda done that, I shoulda done that, I woulda done that,'" he replied. "Me, I said, 'Let's go.'"

[LinMMonte]

I recently saw the video "Stand By Me". AWSOME! Jon & Richie you are ANGELS with huge hearts. Brothers that stay united for every cause. I love you & looking forward to your next tour in Texas.

[coolride3]

can you tell me brand of the little gingseng bottles
jon takes during the show. it was on your program
when the camera followed him back stage.

[jbjgrrl82]

*** do you people even waste your time COMPLAINING about the BEST BAND in the world!!!! Give it a rest HATERS. JBJ is an amazing person and this video proves it. I love to see stories on them becuz they are such down to earth people!! Bon Jovi has been around for 26 years and they''re not slowing down ANYTIME SOON SO KEEP ON HATING!! Thanks 60 minutes and I love you Jon.

[keithle1]

I can handle The Boss in small doses. Love "Livin'' On A Prayer." Great song. "Tommy used to work on the docks.." You have to take it for what it is. He''s not trying to be Bob Dylan.

[jerzeme]

There''s no need to call names, after all Jon Bon Jovi fans are as classy as he is, he is an amazing artist who has done more, given more and is loved more and respected more than all his naysayers. Let them have there opinions after all it''s a free country. We who love him, respect him and will continue to support him in all his next acts know the truth.

[truthyness]

CBS/AP) Barack Obama was poised to reach a major milestone Tuesday in the Kentucky and Oregon primaries - a majority of the pledged delegates offered in the Democratic presidential contest". YOU MEAN THIS IS "MAYBE", "ONLY THE FIRST TIME" HE HAS HAD a majority of the pledged delegates offered in the Democratic presidential contest???

ONLY THE FIRST TIME????

MAYBE????????!

In other words, *HILLARY IS WINNING* !!!!!

[maloosecat]

HERE''S A WEB-SITE FOR YOU STEVE...
http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/care.html

[maloosecat]

Corporatized repetitive music packaged and made possibe by the 1980''s MTV/cable phenomenon, without which this guy,Bon Jovi, would have been a one-hit wonder. Thanks to our regular consumption of this short-lived stuff we''ve created millionaire entertainers turned business-people who can afford to buy football teams. People! haven''t you heard of the word boycott? We''re supposed to be the ones in control!

[republic1776]

I an take Bon Jovi over a moaning socialist Bruce Springstein anyday.

[tmnp7]

Making tickets affordable so that families can attend sporting events together! Believing that a sports franchise should get involved in solving the problems of the community in which they play! I thoroughly enjoyed this feature, and I applaud Mr. Bon Jovi for his efforts to build housing for lower income families and help organizations like Covenant House.

[Syndicate]

I took my wife to see them last year. It was a great show and we had a blast. I highly recommend seeing them if you get the chance.

[mmstar20]

i was just blaring the "New Jersey" album in my house the other day. introducing my 4 year old to my all time favorite band. there''s so many haters on here, but say what you will. it doesn''t matter to me. but what''s in the papers is all the bad stuff. the good stuff never gets press - that''s the price of being a celebrity, i guess. i was happy to find out how much good jon bon jovi has been doing, however small some of you think it is. it isn''t so small to the people and communities he''s helped, though.

[Kim Heigert]

Reading this article brought back memories of the Slippery When Wet concert. THAT WAS the first concert that I had ever been to. Went with a couple of friends to St. Louis....drank a little Jack...bought a couple t-shirts with BonJovi''s long mane on the front of it..danced in the aisles, screamed until we lost our voices...I don''t think anyone saw us without those t-shirts on for weeks. We used to tease each other that we slept with the shirts inside out so that we could be a little closer to Jon! (life was so simple back then!...so were we!LOL!) Anyway, it is nice to read about Jon''s views, his success, his insight and really to see that I was right to make him my ''hero'' back then...because no matter what silly people say....anyone with the responsibilities that that man OBVIOUSLY has ie: the lives of his band members, their families, his other business ventures and their families...etc..AND TO HOLD TOGETHER HIS OWN FAMILY...AND RESPECT HIS WIFE while having ''one-night candy'' thrown at him for all of these years...IS A HERO in my book! I am NOT saying that I believe that he is an Angel whom never strayed....I am saying that HE GOT IT RIGHT! AND CHOSE HIS FAMILY. There are many men and women out there with less temtation that don''t. Life can be so HARD these days....it is nice to see someone GET IT RIGHT!

[acolton1]

Bon Jovi: They came to Kansas City about a month ago and did 2 shows at the New Sprint Center. I would not pay a PENNY to see Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi is a major W.T band and I am sure they would be welcome with open arms at any NASCAR EVENT. Bon Jovi the W.T band.

[shellyj86]

How shallow are you people. Don''t we all work for our money?
That''s what we do, some of us make more, some less. You are just all jealous. He does a lot for all different chairites.

[robfactor1]

I have been so very impressed with 60 minutes over the years. But wasting so much expense on a rock group that will make enough money to feed a small nation but shares so little is just what you did on this broadcast. What a sham...give me a reason to watch anymore.

[neenga]

"say things like "could care less". That obviously means you must care some, which is not what he is trying to say. It''''s "couldn''''t care less" Steve."

Thanks for bringing that up. Sick of hearing people say it when it''s not what they mean!

[aaabee-2009]

These are My Boys, and Jon is/was/and will always be The Sexiest Man Alive. Best to them!

Dead or Alive! Wahoooooo. [flicks a bic and holds it high]

[jwh1953-2009]

How can Steve Croft rise to the level of 60 Minutes anchor and say things like "could care less". That obviously means you must care some, which is not what he is trying to say. It''s "couldn''t care less" Steve. I expect more from 60 Minutes.

[cricketmk3]

I try not to concern myself with entertainer''s opinions on politics, how much charity work they do, etc. They are famous for being a great band, actor, whatever. We buy their cd''s because we enjoy their music. Bon Jovi has been a great band for a LONG time. So what if they live a high lifestyle. They have worked hard unlike some of these rich celebutantes who are famous for doing nothing, do nothing for charity, and have no opinions.