During his Oct. 3 concert at Yarkon Park, Jon Bon Jovi did not downplay the fact that he was performing in Israel amid a tumultuous time.
Bon Jovi, however, was unperturbed and unabated in his quest to play the Holy Land, despite calls from supporters of the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, including former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters.
“Yes, I heard about that but it doesn’t interest me,” Bon Jovi said in response to Waters’ boycott campaign. “I told my managers to give one simple answer: that I’m coming to Israel and I’m excited to come.”
On Friday, Waters wrote a scathing open letter to Bon Jovi, David Bryan, and drummer Tico Torres, saying that they “stand shoulder to shoulder” with Israeli settlers who burned babies and snipers who killed children, and are on the wrong side of justice.
Read the entire letter here.
As he made his way to face the over 50,000 cheering Israeli fans who greeted him, Bon Jovi proclaimed, “Good evening Tel Aviv, Israel! Are you ready for rock ‘n roll? I’ve waited a long time for this, baby!”
After performing That’s What the Water Made Me and other fan favourites, the New Jersey musician then performed his new single, We Don’t Run, which was preceded with this message: “This should be the fight song for Tel Aviv.”
The lyrics certainly do pertain:
“I’m not afraid of burning bridges / ’Cause I know they’re gonna’ light my way / Like a Phoenix, from the ashes / Welcome to the future, it’s a new day / We don’t run / I’m standing my ground / We don’t run / And we don’t back down”
Later in the concert, Bon Jovi introduced his Jewish keyboard player David Bryan (Rashbaum), saying that “your father would be proud of you” for performing in Israel.
After delivering hits like It’s My Life, You Give Love A Bad Name, and Livin’ on a Prayer, he ended the concert with a promise: “I’ll come here any time you want.”
We’re going to hold you to that, Jon.
