June 23rd 1995 – Wembley Stadium, London
Supported by: Ugly Kid Joe, Thunder, Van Halen
Today was roasting!! What a fantastic day for a trip to London and another fantastic line up for a Bon Jovi concert.
I knew a few Ugly Kid Joe songs, so was interested to see them live. It goes without saying, I’d being waiting years to see Van Halen. This would be with Sammy Hagar rather than David Lee Roth……..but Eddie Van Halen was a hero and this was a band I was desperate to see, only surprise was they were happy to be second on the bill, but hey, if they’re happy so am I….and I’ve said before, Jon Bon Jovi was never scared to pack the line up with great bands.
Ugly Kid Joe
This was fun. It wasn’t a long set, in fact they had just released a second album, “Menace to Sobriety” following up the extremely successful 1993 album “America’s Least Wanted” with brilliant tracks “Everything About You” and “Neighbor”, both of which they played.
The over-riding memory I have was how hot it was and lead singer Whitfield Crane had a water slide on stage which he kept hurling himself down everytime there was a break in the songs, it was hilarious.
Set List (probably)
- God
- Milkman’s Son
- Cat’s in the Cradle
- Neighbor
- Everything About You
- So damn Cool
- Busy Bee
Thunder
Great to see Danny Bowes get a chance in such a big arena. Thunder were having a great few years and this was a culmination of all their hard work.
This was strange as Thunder didn’t have much time on stage, so after Danny had a quick chat with the crowd at the start, he just played the songs (pretty much), we were laughing at how much he must have died inside not being able to chat!!! but he was loving it anyway.
It was a funny choice of songs, but starting with “Dirty Love” and including “Love Walked In” meant the crowd were happy.
Set List (probably)
- Dirty Love
- River of Pain
- Love Walked In
- Gimme Some Lovin’ (The Spencer Davis Group cover)
- Low Life in High Places
- Ball and Chain (inc. Hawaii 5-0)
Van Halen
So, the first time I get to see Van Halen. I will actually see them again in a couple of days time at Sheffield Don Valley, as I’d decided long ago, any line-up with Bon Jovi AND Van Halen on it, had to be done twice as both London and Sheffield were relatively easy to do by car from Leicester.
David Lee Roth left Van Halen in 1985 and despite regular rumours, he wasn’t coming back anytime soon (if ever…but the rumours (bad) are ongoing!). That can’t have been nice for current lead singer, Sammy Hagar and the constant comparisons. If I’m honest, I’d love to see Van Halen with DLR (but there seem too many issues between DLR and Eddie Van Halen for this to ever happen)…….but Sammy would prove he is a different singer but absolutely worthy of being front man of such a great band.
From the opening strains of “The Seventh Seal” Sammy was powering out the vocals into the baking Wembley Stadium, everyone were on their feet equally as mesmerised by this top class rock band’s appearance.
This was a classic Van Halen line up:
- Sammy Hagar – Vocals
- Eddie Van Halen – Guitar
- Mark Anthony – Bass
- Alex Van Halen – Drums
Eddie was loving the stage, prancing around and playing some amazing riffs, keyboards and rhythm had become a huge part of the sound too, so Alex’s drumming was heavy and Mark Anthony was offering a thudding bass line. I’m not sure if Eddie played the keyboards, but I suspect someone else did too, but they were offering a great back up to the rock sound and it was going down so well with the crowd.
Another great move by Bon Jovi to add such a great second on the bill, like they cared who they followed!!
“When it’s Love” is a case in point where the Van Halen traditionalist probably went to the bar, but what a great mix of all the sounds, keyboard, drum, bass, guitar and strong vocals……..suited Sammy Hagar a treat!
You can’t get away from the special sound Eddie can make with a guitar, this was a time where you were in the presence of a genius.
The sound quality at Wembley was superb, this was a brilliant performance and such a pleasure to see Van Halen.
I always love the statements musicians make, not with words, but with the way they play music…….and I’m pretty sure Sammy Hagar knew what he was doing when he left “Jump” until the end…….I can do this DLR! 😉
The crown went ballistic! Follow that Bon Jovi…….I reckon they might you know!
There was a real fun vibe going on while Van Halen played. The crowd was seriously split with its loyalty. There were clearly a large number of fans here purely to see Van Halen going mad (and I was happy to join in). It really was going to be a play-off as to which was the best band on the day…..but when you have two so talented bands….why not call it a draw!!
Set List
- The Seventh Seal
- Runaround
- Best of Both Worlds
- Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
- When It’s Love
- Panama
- Feelin’
- Guitar Solo
- You Really Got Me
- Dreams
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- There’s Only One Way to Rock
- Jump
Bon Jovi
So, you’ve had Van Halen try and take your audience away with a perfect performance leaving the crowd buzzing, what’s the best thing to do…….
I know, send on David Bryan to tinkle the keyboards a bit and open with “Living On A Prayer”……and for the next 2 and a half hours we forgot how good Van Halen had been as the biggest Rock and Roll sing along started and rolled on.
The line up for this tour….
- Jon Bon Jovi – lead vocals, guitar
- Richie Sambora – guitar, backing vocals
- Alec John Such – bass
- Tico Torres – drums, percussion
- David Bryan– keyboards, piano, backing vocals
This gig was a real run through the hits, superb Richie Sambora guitar and even guest appearances from Steve Van Zandt (Guitarist with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band).
Loads more keyboard than usual, which made it more melodic and probably slightly less rocky, but the crowd soaked it up.
I’m glad we drove down as Jon Bon Jovi was in no rush to finish, curfew or no curfew, he just kept going. Technically I guess only 2 encores as they didn’t leave the stage after “Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” but as it was quiet for a while as the debate raged, let’s give them 3 encores ;-).
Yet another great day all round and slightly sunburnt to be honest. Big respect to any band that puts together such a hot line-up of music…….not a bad note all day!!
We will go and see them again in a few days time. :-)…..This was the full gig (a few sound issues early on of this recording)
Set List
- Livin’ on a Prayer
- You Give Love a Bad Name
- Wild in the Streets
- Keep the Faith
- Blood on Blood
- Always
- I’d Die for You
- Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi song)
- Runaway
- Dry County
- Lay Your Hands on Me
- I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” and… more )
- Bad Medicine (With “Shout”)
- Encore: Bed of Roses, Hey God, Rockin’ All Over the World (John Fogerty cover) (with Steven Van Zandt)
- Encore 2: Wanted Dead or Alive
- Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night (with Steven Van Zandt),
- And back again….Good Guys Don’t Always Wear White, This Ain’t a Love Song
The Fan Club Years 
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