Thank You, Goodnight: La historia de Bon Jovi

Was somewhat excited to see this series thinking if it is only half of Peter Jackson's "Get Back" it would be worthwhile. Well, not so much. When you're catching yourself thinking "when is this episode going to end" you're not in a good place. Always liked the BJ music and respected JBJ himself from other interviews, but could not keep myself from thinking what an ego trip this is. Who produced it?? Who edited it?? All over the place with hundreds of snippets from here, there and everywhere. Through episode 2, NEVER was a complete song or performance aired. And redundant commentary!! These are very nice guys, but really?

I'm a huge Bon Jovi fan, have been listening to them since my teens, almost had a cover band, and was highly excited to watch this. Oh, well...Such a bummer, feel like the band (and honestly, Sambora) deserved something better. Had to force myself to watch it, waiting for it to improve. And what did I get after all that time? A bit more of respect for JBJ work ethic and a lot more dislike for his narcissistic personality. It felt like watching an artist fade and a CEO rise... anything but a phenomenal band documentary / legacy. The footage is also very disappointing, decades of materials and the director seems to prioritize all the self indulgent blablabla from JBJ. Sorry for the sad review, it's just a disappointment from a fan that could not wait to watch it. Hope there's another one in the future that does justice to the band, really don't understand all the ratings of nines and tens here.

I was never much of a fan but as a DJ back in the late 80's - early 90's I had to play A LOT of "Slippery When Wet."

Sure, it was generic hair rock of the time (love those smiles, boys!) but the tunes did their jobs and did indeed fill the dance floor (it's so much fun to watch awkward White people dance).

But when people started attempting to attribute "deeper meanings" to Bon Jovi's lyrics, I had to draw the line.

Sorry, no matter how much John fan-boys Springsteen, "Living On a Prayer" will never be "Thunder Road" or "Born In the USA." And, "Wanted Dead or Alive" will never be Bob Seger ("Turn The Page") or CCR ("Travelin' Band"), both of whom cornered the market on 'band on the road" songs.

And, riddle me this:

When "Wanted Dead or Alive" came out, I misheard the lyric as "...I been a million places, and I rocked them all." Now, a band can definitely "rock" place by "rocking the house." In other words, they "rocked the Casbah" or rocked the club, etc. Banal, but it makes sense.

But when I learned the actual lyric was "...I seen a million FACES, and I rocked them all" Yeah, I don't get it. How does one "rock a face" (other than smashing a hunk of granite into it? Banal is one thing - just plain dumb is another.

Oh well. He still seems like a nice enough guy but musically he get on his "steel horse" and ride off into the sunset.

I did enjoy it and there was some things I never knew which the band talked about which I found interesting, and I liked seeing the old footage of the band. One big problem for me was the lack of time they spent talking about some albums. They spent a good bit of time on Slippery when wet and New Jersey which was good, but they didn't spend much time on Keep the Faith to Bounce. These Days in my opinion was their last great album. Crush although far from their best music, was their big comeback in 2000. I was 17, just finishing school, a great summer , it holds a lot of nostalgic value for me. Bounce is my favourite post 2000 album. They just skimmed through all these , and they spent alot more time on their 2020 album and the new album thats coming, that I couldn't care less about. I was disappointed there.

Overall its quite good and a must see for Bon Jovi fans, but I did come away feeling it could have been a better. The band do hold back on some things that happened over the years which is understandable. I've read a lot of people saying Jon has a big ego all the way through this. I didn't think so. What the man has achieved in his life is monumental ,only what the rest of us could dream about, and he was just being honest.

It's not perfect, but I do recommend.

In all fairness, I'm only 1/3 of the way through E2. I'll be 53 this year. My FIRST rock concert was Bon Jovi in Alexandria, LA. It was the SWW tour. I think I was in the 10th grade. I had all the albums, I knew all the words to all the songs. I had posters on my wall. I'm just sort of understanding that Jon's voice and stamina was affected by COVID? Still trying to understand it. He keeps talking as if he still has to prove himself. Dude - you did it. A long time ago. It looks to me like you're doing too much. It's ok to retire and enjoy the success that YOU achieved. For yourself and for so many others. Your fans, especially your earliest fans, have the most amazing memories and respect for you and your band. You were the best. One of my most favorite songs was not one that was extremely popular, "Edge of a Broken Heart". It was on the soundtrack of an Ali Sheedy movie, I think. I didn't care for her or the movie, but I STILL love that song. Maybe when I get to the end of this documentary I'll see that you've lightened up on yourself? And maybe give more credit of the legacy you so desperately want to leave behind to your fans that will never forget the way your music changed our lives. I get that you made it big. You said yourself - there was no alternative. But there are still a bunch of littles out here who crank up your music and we've passed it down to our own children. I can't tell you the money I've spent owning YOUR music! The media changed so much! Cassette tapes, vinyl albums, CDs, mp3s, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music. It's insane how many times I've paid for your music. All worth it. Across decades and platforms. I wish you all well and you will always hold a special place in my heart. In MY life. I hope that means something to you. Godspeed.