The collective body of work amassed by Delp, Elliott and others in their youth proved their point now in mid-life–I thought–they deserved some slack. I felt that Delp–to some extent–earned a pass just like I thought Joe Elliott ( Def Leppard) did too when he encountered vocal issues years ago. I didn’t expect Delp to replicate his younger days when he was in mid-life form. I–as a music consumer–knew that when I saw Boston. But I knew better than to rip Delp because what he did when he was younger was simply amazing and any expectation that Delp–or anyone else for that matter–could maintain that level of vocal range into his middle years was simply unreasonable and not realistic. In fact, Delp admitted as such and as a consequence, Boston brought in Fran Cosmo to hit notes previously reached by Delp. I saw Boston in concert before Delp’s passing and it was clear then that Delp’s range was compromised and that he could no longer hit his notes that he nailed in his youth. I myself think a better comparison would have been to the late Brad Delp (from Boston) who sadly died at 55 (which is Bon Jovi’s current age). If there is one knock on the HOF qualities of brothers Eddy and Alex Van Halen, it is their inability to identify a vocalist versus a storyteller. At times, one couldn’t tell if Roth was a comedian, talk show host, or MC for one of the best rock bands on the planet.
Always bon jovi the voice plus#
To compare Bon Jovi to Roth now is simply not comparing “apples to apples.” The former at least tried to sing his way into his mid-life era (and he largely succeeded) whereas the latter has been too busy telling stories for the better part of two plus decades to be considered a vocalist. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that “Diamond Dave’s” vocal abilities were shot decades ago and way before Roth approached middle age too. First, I have not seen Bon Jovi in concert so I cannot comment on his live vocal abilities but I have seen David Lee Roth perform and Roth is who the author uses as a measuring stick for a vocalist who can no longer hit his notes. However, despite that, I have several thoughts about this review. Fictional, gratuitous, or patronizing accolades really have no place in objective journalism.
Those are our marching orders as journalists. Simply put, if you are going to report, then report. Instead, the author–almost apologetically–criticizes Bon Jovi apparently out of obligation an obligation that I, as a fellow journalist, can relate to. At first, I mistook the report to say that Bon Jovi is completely done but in fairness, it doesn’t say that.
The report came from a credible source at NJ.com, a “friendly” media outlet which would (or should) be predictably deferential to Bon Jovi since they both call “the Garden State” home. Specifically, the reviewer questioned the ability of Bon Jovi’s vocal skills to continue to give his own tunes justice. I was quite frankly intrigued by a concert review that came out yesterday about Jon Bon Jovi. JBJ and band pose for “This House Is Not For Sale”