Friday, October 30, 2009

Fans Love 'Em, Critics Hate 'Em

Jon Bon Jovi is looking for any avenue he can to sell a new record. No longer an automatic add on radio, he needs a platform for new his albums. So, he's pimping himself out to NBC for a whole bunch of promotions Jon Bon Jovi Finally Gets Respect As An Artist « Idolator: Music News, Reviews
And why not? Older acts don't sell records anymore. Do you remember that Dylan and Springsteen released albums in 2009? Sure the die-hards buy them, but the fringe buyer just yawns. So he goes on QVC or HSN and hawks his stuff to that older demographic. Nothing wrong with that.
But what I really love about Bon Jovi is that "serious" critics have been hating on them for years. But they won't go away. The Dave Marsh's of the world hate the band. Keep thinking they'll disappear. But Jon Bon Jovi knows how to sell his catalog of hits to new generations. His upcoming World Tour will sell out, even though his albums don't sell.
But it's all about keeping the brand name out there. And since he'll never go away, snobby rock critics will just have to live with it. And that's why I love Bon Jovi.
Also worth noting is the Showtime documentary of their 2008 Worl Tour, in which JBJ proves to be the driving force and leader behind this big corporate Rock band.
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