Jon Bon Jovi is opening up about his journey to returning to the stage after undergoing major vocal cord surgery three years ago.
The 63-year-old rock star sat down for an exclusive interview with Savannah Guthrie that aired on TODAY Oct. 23. The two spoke while sitting in the iconic Madison Square Garden arena, where the frontman and his band, Bon Jovi, will play to thousands of fans in 2026.
“Bon Jovi is going back out on tour starting right here next summer at Madison Square Garden,” Savannah said before high-fiving the legendary rocker.
The interview came a day after the group announced that their “Forever Tour” will kick off in 2026, with seven dates in New York City and Europe. Bon Jovi will play four shows at Madison Square Garden before making its way to the United Kingdom.
Speaking about the upcoming tour, the band’s front man told Savannah, “I think I can confidently say that I can go and do my two and a half hours night after night after night. But I wouldn’t do it unless it was that.”
But there was a time when he wasn’t sure he would be able to sing again following his operation in 2022. If his powerful vocals hadn’t returned after the rehabilitation process, he said he would’ve stopped performing.
“I’m not that applause junkie. I do it for the joy and I do it for the art,” Bon Jovi explained. “The rest of it is great because I’m good at it. But if you couldn’t do it from a place of joy, what’s the motivation?”
He added, “I have other things in my life. It’s what I do. It’s not who I am.”
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had surgery to fix an atrophying vocal cord. He explained to Savannah that his stronger vocal cord was “pushing the weak one around” and it was “dying.” The injury came after 40 years of touring around the world and nailing impressive high notes.
Bon Jovi said he found a surgeon who put an implant on the outside of his vocal cords to help them regain strength.
“The road has been long. It’s been tough. But I persevered,” he said of the recovery process.
The singer has been working nonstop, rehearsing every day in his garage, to re-train his vocal cords. Bon Jovi had to regain the stamina it takes to belt out lyrics to a crowd multiple nights a week.
“It’s like training for a marathon,” he explained. “Anyone can go for a run. Being able to go the distance is a whole different set of commitment. You have to physically, mentally and spiritually be ready to do that again.”
He faced some doubts along the way, but he never stopped pushing himself. Some days he’d experience “a little ray of hope,” he said.
“The next day was brighter and until the next time, you know, you get punched in the nose by some setback. And you pick yourself up again and do it again,” he continued.
Bon Jovi revealed that the thought of taking the stage again is a little scary. But, he said he knows he’ll have his band members, like pianist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres, supporting him, as well as encouragement from their devoted fans.
The tour will include songs from the band’s upcoming collaboration album, “Forever (Legendary Edition),” out Friday, Oct. 24. The record includes new versions of songs from the group’s 2024 album, “Forever,” featuring artists like Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Avril Lavigne, Bruce Springsteen and Robbie Williams.
Jon Bon Jovi celebrates 40 years of Bon Jovi by sharing incredible stories behind photos from his personal collection, including singing with Bruce Springsteen in high school, standing on a cliff for three days while shooting the “Blaze of Glory” music video, a love letter from his wife in his high school yearbook, and more!
Bon Jovi said it is possible some of those musicians will make a special appearance at the tour dates next year.
“There wouldn’t be an anticipation of that on a daily basis. But I think that the idea is if you’re in town and you remember the song, please jump up,” he said.
The “Forever Tour” will kick off Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The tour will conclude on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, in London at Wembley Stadium.
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