Over 60,000 fans filled the Olympic Stadium in Athens on Wednesday evening, and for two hours and half sang, and applauded one of the most successful rock bands, which is on the international music stage more than 30 years.
Children, teenagers and older fans of the American rock band Bon Jovi, who have been waiting for this concert for years, began to gather hours before the opening of the doors of the stadium, and many others had come earlier with sleeping bags.
The concert started at 7 pm with the Greek band Brothers in plugs, which gripped the audience. Shortly before they got off the stage, its enthusiastic members said that they have never imagined even in their wildest dreams that they would be a support band of Bon Jovi.
After them, the Dutch band The Breakers got on stage, which the audience impatiently waiting for the legendary rock band, also applauded.
Bon Jovi got on stage at 9 pm sharp and caused a furor. The overcrowded stadium started to shake. "Athens, finally!" were the first words of Jon Bon Jovi.
The party started with the song Raise Your Hands. In a perfect mood, Jon Bon Jovi asked the fans to raise their hands high. Then followed the song You Give Love a Bad Name and the band ran high. Richie Sambora solo performances captivated the audience, Tiko Torres set fire to the drums, and John was just outstanding.
The huge screen created the impression that the fans were a real part of many of the videos of the band. The feeling was most pronounced when the band sang the song We Weren't Born to Follow, when it literally changed colours.
Then, all of a sudden, Richie changed the playing of his guitar and the sound of It's My Life filled the stadium. Bon Jovi once again proved that their live performances are far better than the studio recordings.
By constantly changing the rhythm and making harmonious transitions from dynamic and explosive tracks to slow and sensual songs, Bon Jovi made an amazing show, full of energy and memories.
The band sang almost all their big hits and literally merged with the audience during It's My Life, Dead or Alive, I'll be There for You, Bad Medicine, and it all got high when the front man of the band performed a cover of Pretty Woman.
A little later, John went to the fans at the arena, picked up a Greek flag and wrapped it around himself, while Ritchie's guitar gave the beginning of the heartfelt ballad Bed of Roses.
The band was in perfect mood after the Greek audience proved once again that its response to concerts of this level is very dynamic. The applause and screams did not stop even for a moment, and the fact that the audience was joining him in almost every track pleasantly surprised John.
Many girls tried in vain to attract the attention of singer by throwing hats, towels and even lingerie at the stage. One of them was lucky as she managed to give John a bouquet of flowers and he thanked her with a kiss on the cheek.
The moment when the singer addressed the financial problems of Greece, expressing his belief that despite the difficulties it is essential young people to have faith because they are the future, excited the audience. "You are really proud people. We hear many things, but we believe in you, the new generation of Greeks," said John and caused an avalanche of applause.
Many representatives of the local music stage and televisions as well as journalists were in the audience. The news that Bon Jovi will finally have a concert in Greece excited their most enthusiastic fans who tried to buy tickets as soon as possible and the "magic" papers were sold over the last two months of 2010.
"I have been waiting to come to Greece for 20 years," said John, and the concert ended with the song Livin 'on a Prayer. So have the other members of the band, two of whom – the guitarist Richie Sambora and the drummer Tiko Torres – visited the Acropolis Museum on Tuesday evening.
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