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Jon Bon Jovi EXCLUSIVE: 'I'm PROUD to be the poster boy for marriage'

During such troubling times as these – when everyone’s world collapsed with the Brangelina tragedy – it warms the old heart cockles to meet a super star who has not only been happily married to the same woman for 26 years – but is chuffed about it.

Yahoo Celeb met the inimitable Jon Bon Jovi at the launch the release of his new album, This House Is Not For Sale. And while the gloriously enormous hair and skin tight trousers may have gone, his very blue eyes and silky charm, certainly have not. There was quite a few blushes throughout this interview.

During his short speech about the new album Jon, 54, appeared stern and a bit world-weary. But we were pleasantly surprised when we met him one on one – he was thoughtful, open and even just the littlest bit flirty. Or so we’re telling ourselves.

Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi (Wenn)

We’d never be so crass as to bring up the Brad and Angelina divorce while interviewing rock royalty like him but we did slyly ask what his thoughts on celebrity marriages are – considering Jon has been famous for 33 years.

He said: ‘If I’m given the opportunity to be the poster boy for marriage I’ll accept it because I’m really proud of it. You work at it.

‘Though in truth Bono’s marriage is long, Bruce’s [Springsteen] is long – I just happen to be the poster boy… and I’m okay with that.’

Bon Jovi, wife Dorothea and daughter
Bon Jovi, wife Dorothea and daughter (Wenn)

The pair met at high school after Jon apparently asked her to help him cheat in a test he hadn’t studied for. So rock n roll even then! And while he has admitted in the past he may see ‘temptation every day’ he ‘adores’ her.

Jon also admitted he ‘hoped’ his children were proud of him and that while they don’t sit around ‘looking at statistic sheets’ about his success they are aware of his impact.

The Bad Medicine singer, who has sold 130m records, also told us he feels ‘humbled’ when he sees people singing his feel-good anthems. However, he doesn’t listen to his own tunes when he’s feeling a bit down.

He said: ‘No, I don’t listen to my own music as a pick me up but I’ve been the narrator lifting people up for years.’

This House is Not For Sale flier
This House is Not For Sale flier

Jon, who has four children, Stephanie, 23, Jesse, 21, Jacob, 14, and Romeo, 12, then addressed the rumours about him collaborating with Avicii – probably one of the most well known and influential DJs in the world.

He was also pretty quick to dismiss any speculation that the DJ had turned him down. He told us that Avicii had called him to ask if he would come up with a lyric for a track he was working on – but that it hadn’t worked out.

Jon said: ‘Let me put it into context, the track was all over the place and we tried for two days but it didn’t really come together – it was never a collaboration as such.

‘He had a track, he needed a lyric, I did it and then it didn’t work out. I can’t even remember what the lyric was.’

JBJ
JBJ (Dave Hogan)

That’s us told then!

Jon’s stage presence might be wildly electric but in the flesh he was reflective and quite softly spoken. And even though he was clearly growing tired of the relentless album promo, was still a classy gent. With just a hint of mischief.

As a parting short we asked him what the most outrageous thing he has ever done while on tour. And with a wink and a smile he simply replied: ‘Just use your imagination.’

Jon Bon Jovi back in the day. You're welcome.
Jon Bon Jovi back in the day. You’re welcome.

New album This House Is Not For Sale released October 21