Bon Jovi and me: David Bryan

16-06-2006 22:30

by Kate Sole

At seven years old David Bryan took his first piano lesson. Almost four decades later he is the lead keyboardist for one of the world's most successful stadium rock bands, Bon Jovi.But as a classically trained musician New Jersey-born David Bryan Rashburn makes for an unlikely rocker. After studying the likes of Mozart, Bach and Beethoven - composers he still lists as his musical influences - he was eventually offered a place at the prestigious Julliard School Of Music.However, when old high school buddy John Bongiovi called him up in 1983 to tell him he had won a local radio station contest and needed a band, his career path took a dramatic swerve.

The winning song 'Runaway' became Bon Jovi's first big hit. From then on it was a steady climb up the fame ladder until their third album 'Slippery When Wet' brought them the superstar success they had set out to achieve.However unlike other rock 'n' roll bands out there, the New Jersey foursome have retained a 'clean-cut' image - perhaps this is down to a good public relations team but all the same, they attribute it to their hardworking and professional mentality.Their story has not been without its twists however, they were even sued after their first album by Jon's cousin, Tony.

Solo projects have sparked talk about splits and more recently rumours circulated that the band had been killed in freak airplane accident - it later transpired that the plane had just skidded off the runway and nobody was injured.

Guitarist Richie Sambora is the band mate who can claim the most column inches as a result of his very public divorce from his wife of 11 years, Spin City actress Heather Locklear.

Media interest intensified further when the rocker started dating another Hollywood beauty going through an equally messy divorce, Denise Richards, who just happened to be friends with his estranged wife.

But pushing solo projects, divorce and near death experiences aside Bon Jovi are still going strong enjoying playing to sell-out audiences on their latest 'Have A Nice Day' tour.

Here the band's curly-haired keyboardist, David Bryan, take's time out to talk about why he is not interested in making headlines, the most rock 'n' roll thing he has ever done and writing Bon Jovi The Musical.

What are the Bon Jovi rituals before a gig

We you know we usually sacrifice a lamb, a few beheadings, we get a couple of virgins that sort of thing... not really I mean everything out her on the road is about getting the show done. Well not getting it done but making sure you are ready for it and making sure your body is in shape and then going out there and mentally getting yourself in the game.

What is on the Bon Jovi rider, Is there anything you have to have in the dressing room

Well no not really. Our wardrobe girls take care of our various needs. There is none of that 'only the blue M&M's' kinda stuff. I think rock 'n' roll has been given a bad name by a few bands.

Care to name any names

No...no!

How are you finding England

Well we have been based out of here for a while and no rain...we love that! I think we brought the sunshine with us so it's all good.

Have you been sucked into World Cup fever yet

Yeah I actually played the game in school. I'm one of the few Americans that actually played the sport. I don't necessarily think it's better than American football but it's different. I watched USA play Czech Republic the other night and they lost 3-0. But hey at least we are in it - I think we are ranked number fifth in the world so I'm like, 'Hey alright!!'

Speaking of football were you disappointed that your Wembley gig was cancelled.

Oh yeah, definitely. I mean the plan was that we were the last one's to play in the old stadium and we were supposed to opening the new one. So yeah it's really disappointing...I'm glad I don't own it!

In Jon's words it's been a bit of a 'shambles'.

Oh yeah, there have definitely been a few financial problems with that project.

So are you hoping they come back to you to ask you to perform the opening gig when it is finally ready

Yeah absolutely. We haven't discussed it yet but then who knows when it is going to be ready. They're saying now that they are trying to have it ready for the Olympics in 2012. We may even be dead by the time it finally opens!

So what about groupies

Have they changed since the band first started 23 years ago Groupies (laughs)...I mean it depends what you mean by groupies. For us it's just all about the fans and making music and going up there and giving the best show you can and entertaining the masses. Now the nice thing is these fans have been there all along and now you have the young kids checking us out as well. There is a real mixture in the crowd now it's great!

What's the most rock 'n' roll thing you've done do you think

I would say sell 100,000,000 records. That's pretty rock 'n' roll.

So no TVs thrown out of hotel windows

No we're not that sort of band. We were never a lifestyle band - a lot of those bands are playing the nostalgic circuit now, they don't really have longevity.
I guess when rock 'n' roll first started out it was crazy and it was just less of a business. Now I think there's definitely more responsibility. People work hard, they buy their ticket, they get on the train to come and see us and plan their day - there's a lot of responsibility to give them a good show.