Bon Jovi played the New Orleans Jazz Fest with substitute guitarist Phil "Phil X" Xenidis, probably best known to rock fans as the guitarist who replaced Rik Emmett in Triumph for the "Edge of Excess" album and tour.
The Times-Picayune reports that, for nearly two hours, Jon Bon Jovi and Phil X, Sambora's more than capable stand-in, worked extremely hard to deliver a show that, on balance, was more electric and more satisfying than Bon Jovi's 2009 Jazz Fest set.
With rhythm guitarist Bobby Bandiera laying the path, Xenidis was free to walk in Sambora's shoes. He wasn't shy about it. He soloed in the opening "Blood on Blood," and busted out the talk-box in "It's My Life." He dressed up "Runaway," a thrill ride from Bon Jovi's debut album that the band did not perform at Jazz Fest in 2009, with extra licks and fills.
There was only one reference to Sambora’s absence through the 2-hour set. “We’ll send this out to our brother Richie,” Bon Jovi said as the band geared up for its final encore, “Livin’ On A Prayer,” one of Sambora’s trademark talk-box tracks.
Bon Jovi Bon Jovi – Livin’ On A Prayer
New Orleans Jazz Fest – New Orleans, LA – April 30, 2011
Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead Or Alive
New Orleans Jazz Fest – New Orleans, LA – April 30, 2011
Bon Jovi – Bad Medicine medley
New Orleans Jazz Fest – New Orleans, LA – April 30, 2011
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