Bon Jovi cut its Wednesday night (Apr. 5) show at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh short due to singer Jon Bon Jovi battling a sore throat. The singer — who is touring in support of the group’s new album, This House is Not For Sale –– was feeling under the weather prior to taking the stage, but still insisted on powering through the show as to not disappoint the fans, a source tells Billboard.
The singer told the crowd he had been battling a cold since a Connecticut show on Saturday (Apr. 1), which followed a rain-soaked gig in Philadelphia the night before. But he told the Pittsburgh crowd he would power through, according the the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
“I apologize,” he said. ” But I’m gonna keep pushin’ on and if you stick it out with me, I’ll stick it out with you.” Despite the singer’s best efforts, the band had to cut short its normally two and a half hour set, which is packed with hits, including “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and “Keep the Faith.”
Bon Jovi — known for onstage heroics, including the night in 2010 when he tore a calf muscle onstage when the band opened MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ yet finished the show in excruciating pain — still managed to make a memory for a fan in attendance on Wednesday, when he brought him on stage for the anthem, “Born to Be My Baby.”
“This is the day when I need a karaoke singer,” he said. “Which one of you guys in a bar band knows all the words to Bon Jovi songs?”
Jon explained that he had been sick since the last show. It was a head cold that went to his throat. He said that he has seen a doctor and took medicine but wasn’t better yet. He said he feels fine, he just can’t sing. He apologized and said it hurt his heart to do this (short show). We hope he rests up and gets better for MSG.
Posted by Curt Pruden on Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Bon Jovi then wrapped the show with an audience sing-along of “Livin’ on a Prayer.” After the show, fans and his biggest supporter, brother Matt Bongiovi, tweeted support to the singer and praised his “work ethic.”
Bon Jovi ends his Pittsburgh concert early! He is sick. He was awesome!@BonJovi @PPGPaintsArena pic.twitter.com/G4vFxd59eI
— Marian (@a1momager) April 6, 2017
Tonight I stand proud to see a work ethic like no other. Would soon leave his soul on the stage before giving up on himself or you #respect
— Matthew Bongiovi (@TheMattBongiovi) April 6, 2017
@TheMattBongiovi @BonJovi always has and always will be a class act. Being honest with us. Thanks for riding it out tonight #Pittsburgh
— InuNaruPokeAlchemist (@InuNaruPokeAlch) April 6, 2017
@TheMattBongiovi Never been prouder to be a fan. Jon is pure inspiration to always do my best and never give up #respect
— Deedee Koscelansky (@happyjovigirl) April 6, 2017