The modern-era Bon Jovi band is proving itself night after night as just as mighty a live powerhouse it was during the band's earliest days. Supplementing co-founders Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, and Tico Torres, are longtime bassist Hugh McDonald, and lead guitarist Philip "Phil X" Xenidis -- both of whom have been bumped up to "official member" status. Rounding out the touring lineup on rhythm guitar is Bon Jovi producer John Shanks.
Phil X, who first subbed for Richie Sambora during his 20111 rehab stint, shed light on how he got the coveted gig when Sambora went AWOL from Bon Jovi’s 2013 world tour after only 21 dates:
["The right guy sees a bunch of your videos on YouTube, and then Jon Bon Jovi calls that guy and that guy was Jon Shanks, who was producing Bon Jovi at the time. So, Jon Bon Jovi calls John Shanks and says, 'I might need a guy. Who's the guy that can step in, and play, and sing and carry it?' And John Shanks said, 'You gotta get this gut Phil X. I've been watching his videos. He can play and sing anything.' And it was on hold at first, it was, like, 'They need you to learn the show and you might get the call, you might not get the call.'"]
- Bon Jovi tour dates (subject to change):
- February 25 - Las Vegas, NV - T-Mobile Arena
- February 28 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
- March 1 - San Jose, CA - SAP Center At San Jose
- March 4 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort Arena
- March 5 - San Diego, CA - Viejas ArenaMarch 8 - Inglewood, CA - Forum
- March 14 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
- March 16 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum
- March 18 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
- March 19 - Cleveland, OH - Quicken Loans Arena
- March 22 - Indianapolis, IN - Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- March 26 - Chicago, IL - United Center
- March 27 - Saint Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
- March 29 - Detroit, MI - Joe Louis Arena
- March 31 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center
- April 1 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun Arena
- April 5 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena
- April 7, 8 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden Arena
- April 10, 11 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
- August 18 - Endicott, NY - Enjoie Golf Club
- (Pulse)