Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora & David Bryan, L to R.
Hell hath no fury like a former member of the Bon Jovi inner sanctum who apparently has a simmering resentment and is short on cash.
In other words, Jon Bon Jovi got held up without a gun this week.
That’s right JoviNation, we’re talking about former Bon Jovi tour manager Rich Bozzett, who unloaded his version of scandalous JoviTales of mirth and mayhem from the years 1983-1989 in his ‘All The Dirt That’s Unfit To Print’ tell-all, “Sex, Drugs, and Bon Jovi”.
Possibly the only thing worse than betrayal by a 'friend' is the open and very public betrayal by a former member of rock’s Cosa Nostra that not only besmirches and savages the reputation of Jon Bon Jovi and everyone in the band, but drags in the rocker’s family, making them victims of collateral damage and unnecessarily foists upon them unsavory attention while arousing jealousy, anger and suspicion. With 'friends' like Rich Bozzett, who needs enemies?
Is Jon Bon Jovi or any member of the band a Saint?
Absolutely not, and it is precisely the human element of monumental talent driven by incredible musicianship and ego while still being one of us---imperfect, flawed, and as Bon Jovi likes to say in the lead-in to the song ‘Broken’ on the group’s ‘Lost Highway’ DVD, “just a little bit nuts”---that endears them to so many millions of fans around the world, and for so long.
The most passionate of fans in JoviNation will tell you that there is no water under Jon or anyone else's feet in the band, and they wouldn't have it any other way.
One of the rules of the way this columnist rolls is that you won’t see me take advantage of Bon Jovi or any member of his organization by writing about wives, children, or their flaws as perceived by myself or fans. Wives and children are accessories after-the-fact, and should be off limits.
In a world with a 24-hour news cycle, where every photograph and every sound bite has price potential and can deliver 15-seconds of fame for someone like Rich Bozzett, it’s simply not cool.
Public figures like Bon Jovi make a deal with the Devil when they pursue a career that puts them in the public eye; but that choice doesn’t give anyone else the right to cause great harm by cashing in on those famous coattails.
Bon Jovi, back when they were beautiful.
If you doubt the insinuation about Bozzett, consider then that according to London’s Daily Mail online that in the same breath that he says Bon Jovi asked him to destroy the photos of Jon cavorting with four topless women shortly before ‘Slippery When Wet’ was released, that Bozzett then says wistfully, “He treated me very well”, he said, “ I felt he was a nice person. Very genuine”.
Goodness, how on earth does Bozzett treat folks that just plain knocked him down, kicked him around and just plain disrespected him?
One supposes in that circumstance it might have been Bozzett himself leaking 90,000 pages of documents to WikiLeaks detailing Life On The Road With Bon Jovi if he could have gotten his grubby hands on that much dirt.
It’s undeniably clear, as the article in the Daily Mail confirms, that Bozzett has an ax to grind because he feels he was unceremoniously dumped as tour manager; and that he was jipped out of compensation he felt he was due.
There isn’t a rock star on the face of the planet who hasn’t engaged in some public and private huggy-body-kissy-facey.
As a matter of fact, in an interview with Yes Network’s Michael Kay on CenterStage, Bon Jovi reminisces that one of the things that drew him to rock music was to “meet chicks”. The band even pokes fun of the groupie parade in their music video “Sleep When I’m Dead”, where Richie Sambora is shown sticking his head outside a hotel room door and grabbing another groupie waiting in line outside and pulling them into the suite with him endlessly.
Not surprisingly, the Daily Mail goes on to reveal that Rich Bozzett has traded in his tour manager creds for renovating houses, telling tall tales and waxing sentimental from the days when he felt like Bon Jovi’s 6th Man.
Unfortunately for Bozzett, Bon Jovi moved on and grew up, toiling year-in-and-year-out for thirty years to grow and maintain an audience while leaving behind wild whims and ways of rock star youth.
Insert photo caption or credit here
Indeed, if a photo were to surface now showing Bon Jovi in the sack with some topless models while he professed to be a loving husband, father, and philanthropist, it would be the height of shallow stupidity.
But that is not the issue here.
Jon Bon Jovi and every member of that band have invested blood and guts in this tireless musical juggernaut known as Bon Jovi and it’s a damn shame that someone like Bozzett felt the need to pump up his meaningless little life by tearing down someone else’s accomplishments.
In one giant putrid flash of literary flatulence, Bon Jovi the Man, Musician, Husband, Father, Friend, Brand, Business Man and Philanthropist was enveloped in the putrid stink of just some guy trying to cash in.
Rich Bozzett claims the book is not at all motivated by malice.
No? Can’t you just imagine THIS give-me-some-money-or-I'll-publish-a-book-with-those-photos-in-it phone conversation between Jon Bon Jovi and Bozzett?
Bozzett: Jonny, it’s the OTHER Rich. The one with the naked pics you’ze been telling me to crap-can for 20 years.
JBJ: What can I do for ya, Other Rich?
Bozzett: Have you thought about my offer?
JBJ: the one where you asked me for money and threatened to write a tell-all if I didn’t stroke you a check?
Bozzett: Yah, uh huh. Dat one.
JBJ: Go pound rock salt, Other Rich. I’m not paying you one red cent. Furthermore, at the end of the day, when I put my head down on my pillow at night I sleep just fine thank you very much.
Bozzett: Fine Jonny. It’s gonna be the pics with a BOOK!
JBJ: Good luck livin’ with your Bad Self, Rich.
Click.
Be sure to Find and Follow Bon Jovi Examiner Glenn Osrin on TWITTER @ wizardofosrin
Comments
Great article, Glenn. Sheesh, what a revelation from Bozzett - "Bon Jovi partied like rock stars in the 80's". Really Rich? They did? OH.MY.GOD.
JBJ,himself said he is not saint and he did some things that he is not proud of but he and they(richie,tico,and david) grew up.I heared this guy Rich on a talk show, he sounds very bitter
Great article, Glenn. Sheesh, what a revelation from Bozzett - "Bon Jovi partied like rock stars in the 80's". Really Rich? They did? OH.MY.GOD.
Lol, I have no idea why I posted twice!
Glenn: Don't give this guy any additional publicity. You've mentioned his name and his book - I bet he is happy. I hope Bon Jovi fans are giving this guy the time and attention he deserves - none!
Mr BUZZARD is pathetic (BUZZARD because he preys on others). So says the song "Keep The Faith"....."...there's things I've done I can't erase, every night we fall from grace.....it's hard, with the world in your face....try to hold on". In another article I read that Mr BUZZARD really didn't want to hurt Jon Bon Jovi's fans or his children. I think the fans are unchanged and I hope the kids aren't ridiculed by their friends. I hope Dorothea is unaffected by this. It's obvious that Mr BUZZARD is entirely selfish, self-centered, self-serving and self-absorbed. Many times writers have to put up a great deal of their own money to get things published and in Mr BUZZARD'S case, I hope he goes flat broke!
Glenn, I liked reading the article as always!
SHAME ON YOU BOZZ....you are doing this for the money ONLY!!!!
OMG the guys were young and rockstars- the 80s were like that...so what..that's life!!!
Still cannot stand Doc McGhee. Didn't do his job this site won't allow me to post a link but check out my rant on facebook for it! He was BJ manager at the time. ASSZett tour manager. When asked to get them back he didn't come thru. Wonder what's in it for him? (gonna stir it now!)
Wives maybe alittle fair game because they knew what they were in for but children Never! JBJ worked very hard at keeping his private life away from his Celebrity Life and just recently you have seen pics of his family, the older kids, but not much. Shame Shame on Bozzet! Remember Karma Rich! Pay backs a bitch! ( Hey, that Rhyme thing is happening!) POSER!!!!!
ha this all cracks me up, so what, Jon parties with models, OMG WHAT, a rockstar did that, NOOOOO not possible. As for the Doc McGee stuff, Jon had the sense to get rid of him. End of story. Am I a bad fan for wanting to read the book though? lol, I don't think Jon has anything to worry about, and I'm sure Dorothea wouldn't be shocked.
Man, I think this must be a tough lifestyle to have, never having any privacy and people constantly putting you under a microscope to where you can hardly breathe! I personally don't give a crap about the photos. Most of us know what life was like in the 80's shouldn't come as any surprise that Bon Jovi lived the lives of rockstars! That Bozzett guy should be ashamed of himself for selling out and trying to cash in! We're all human, I wonder what skeletons he has in his closet, LOL! Anyway, good aritcle Glenn :)
PERFECT, Glenn!
Only mediocre people feel the need to reveal secrets or make up lies about people who are successful and happy as the boys from Bon Jovi! ;)
OMG! Glenn, thank goodness that you wrote everything I was thinking! Love you for that and in defense of Bon Jovi, definitely and always!
Way to go Glenn - this Bozzett dude is a little behind the times. If the guy would have paid any attention at all when the book and documentary for When We Were Beautiful was released, all of the guys touched on the past and said we did what everyone else did, but don't feel the need to write about it.
Mr. Bozzett I'm sure you'll understand that I won't be paying $25 for your book, I don't have the time (or desire) to read it I have a plane to catch for Chicago tomorrow to see the guys at Soldier Field. Also, next time leave the writing to those who have just won a Tony for music & lyrics in a hit broadway show or those who are in the songwriter's hall of fame.
Tear down this man as soon as possible. He is a useless man.
Writing about that guy puts you at his level... well done!! I'm not surprised tho.. .they're STILL NOT following you are they!!
You took the words right out of most fans mouths.........
"Bloody" mess from one of US..."One for all and all for one"...but if this one throws some dirt and bites the hand that fed him...there comes our conscience...We are all human and thus make mistakes but there is a moral string...and I stand up for defence of BON JOVI members..
Great article Glenn.. Greetings from Bulgaria !!!
There are sex and drugs stories in the book, but they're not what you think they are. You wrote all this terible stuff about Bozet without even reading the book! I know, because I just got the book and it doesn't contain any of the crap you say it does! You call yourself a JOURNALIST? Shame on you! And shame on ALL of you for jumping on his Nazi bandwagon.
If you're going to talk about the book without reading the book at least have the sense to read the reviews
www.insidecelebrities.com/2010/07/30/sex-drugs-and-bon-jovi-an-uncensored-look-at-the-early-years-from-his-tour-manager/
Hi I am the New York Soap Opera Examiner and hope you will follow me also. I love Bon Jovi and was happy to find your column. I will enjoy reading them, Nanci
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