Bon Jovi superfan thrilled rockstar's Vancouver show is back on
Local fans were shot through the heart when they heard Bon Jovi’s show in Stanley Park was cancelled
Die-hard Jon Bon Jovi fan Laurie Bonacci said the week leading up to the rocker's reinstated Saturday show has held the "highest of highs and the lowest of lows."
She and other local Bon Jovi fans were shot through the heart on Monday when local promoter Paper Rain announced the singer's original Stanley Park performance was cancelled.
"I was just absolutely devastated," said Bonacci, who lives in Surrey and had been counting down to the show for weeks. "It just threw a damper on everything."
Bonacci said she has been a fan for almost 30 years.
"This love began when I was a 12 year old girl, living on Haida Gwaii, sweeping a basement on a Saturday morning.
"I was listening to the local Prince Rupert radio station...and all of a sudden this song came on, and it was Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi. I was hooked."
She said when she first saw the sign promoting the show — which featured the silhouette of a man on stage flanked by trees — she knew it had to be Bon Jovi, and bought tickets as soon as they went on sale.
"I signed up to Urban Forest to get their newsletter, to get their pre-sale code, and I probably bought the first VIP package one ticket that was sold in Vancouver," she said. "I spent a lot of money on it, I was hyped."
'Jon loves his fans'
She said that after it was announced the show was cancelled, she hoped her idol wouldn't give love a bad name.
"Jon loves his fans, and he loves Vancouver," she said. "Vancouver was a huge part of the band's success."
She was thrilled when she heard Bon Jovi's management had got the show back and up and running — moving it to Rogers Arena for all those who had bought tickets.
When asked what she would say if she got to meet her idol in person, she said she would simply thank him.
"He did not have to put on this show on Saturday night, he did not have to do that. I would just say 'Thank you.'" she said.
Bonacci said it is unfortunate the concert couldn't be held in Stanley Park — but said there's still an upside.
"It means I can wear stilettos," she laughed. "You can't wear stilettos in a park."
To hear the full interview, click on the audio labelled: Bon Jovi superfan