Let it be said that the best never slow down and never settle for less in giving their fans the ultimate rock concert event that can basically leave you at the edge of your seat and quite drained from the all the excitement. However, there is one band that can create more hype about their show than few rock bands can who combed the scene for more then several decades, and that basically sums up Bon Jovi. These guys have captivated fans alike from around the world with memorable hits spanning three generations worth of music, not to mention the best stage productions that leave you astounded year after year.

With reaching platinum status stretching as far back as the early eighties and reaching beyond one hundred million records sold alone, Bon Jovi have become certified rock icons. As if last year wasn't a key factor for Bon Jovi in selling out venues across America, they have returned with yet another ass-whooping show in selected stadiums across the map. I myself have witnessed countless performances of Bon Jovi and can't say that I have never been anything less then well pleased as a fan.

Their most recent stadium show in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park has not only given the fans something to look forward to in the blazing hot summer heat, it's also given the fans the opportunity to catch Bon Jovi in their prime performance as a group. Along for this momentous ride of rock, Canada's own NickelBack who have not only showcased a bunch of heavy hitters over the air waves, NickelBack have placed themselves on the rock map with " Silverside Up". I am not much of a fan with stadium tours these days but this was a rare opportunity to catch two big monster artists on one stage in the sweaty heat on a Saturday night in July. I've often wondered how can bands pull off a stadium tour with a stage production that takes days to complete, yet this one seem to be nothing but spectacular. To warm up the fans as they say in rock terms, NickelBack played a well energized set spanning three very successful releases which have spawned radio friendly anthems to much of their fan based cult following. I personally thrive on bands that can write guitar driven hooked songs and
NickelBack out speaks that area quite vividly.

I still admire bands that still play on wireless, run around the stage a lot and demonstrate how they can jam on the guitar, and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger does just that. I still enjoy the aspects of heavy guitar work and punchy vocals, and nice well rounded stage presence and certainly NickelBack holds their weight. Even with a sweetened 45-minute done by this band definitely got fans singing along and screaming to the top of their voices. With much of their set consisting of the hits that have made NickelBack nationally well-established as a driving force behind the songs that have been etched as true classics in the least amount of time. At one point during their set, NickelBack teased the crowd with bits and pieces of Metallica's " Seek N Destroy" before actually going into their next song in their set list at Citizen's Bank Park. Among a lot of the songs drawn into NickelBack's set are basically guitar driven anthems that can never go unforseen as music that has put this Canadian Rock Act on the Map of Fame in such a short amount of time.

The songs that always will stand out for this Band are:
"Animals,", "Photograph," "How You Remind Me," "Savin' Me," "Someday," and "Feeling Way Too Damn Good," and
"Figured You Out."

A nice but short intermission as 35,000 fans awaited for Bon Jovi to take the stage at Citizen's Bank Park, they were treated to a quick performance by the Philadelphia Soul Cheer Leaders, which definitely adds a nice kick to get things going. As we always expect more then one hundred percent out of Bon Jovi these days, we always get what we want from their shows. Basically a raw high energized concert performance filled with tons of world famous hit makers to a few lesser known songs added in to round out a sweaty show. Truly a rock spectacle filled with music that has not only won the hearts of die hard Bon Jovi fans as a whole but, as they say in the music bible "The Music Does Most Of The Talking," none more describable in such words from fans alike as we all watched Bon Jovi conquer Philadelphia fans just like the old days. Their set was filled with songs spanning over two decades worth of pure solid rock that could be heard throughout the streets of south Philly.

Definitely rock props to yet another great electrifying sweaty set with Bon Jovi as they opened their two plus hour long driving set with a rightfully done cover song of Elton Johns "Saturday Night's Alright." No typical rock show would complete without the greatest hits that have become stellar platinum favorites that can often be heard on rock radio today, like
"You Give Love A Bad Name," "Bad Medicine," and "Born To Be My Baby," among the 20 songs crammed into this amazing show in Philadelphia. I especially liked one segment in the show where Ritchie belted out
"Blaze Of Glory. "

There is always that one special moment in every show that sends this chill straight down your spine when every true rock fan on their feet knows the lyrics to one particular song. This happened when the fans heard a superb keyboard intro to the lead in, and everyone started singing at the top of their voices right back at Bon Jovi to
"Living On A Prayer." Bon Jovi stood and looked out to the fans with a great smile, nothing like a true rock fan indeed when a band has that much respect to give back a token of appreciation for all those years of dedication.

Their newer stuff is starting to gain great exposure as they tossed in "Have A Nice Day,"
"Who Says You Can't Go Home," and "Bells Of Freedom." No show can be truly worth it unless they close the show with several encores including one of their memorable hits to which they always close out the show with, "Wanted Dead Or Alive."

In all the years that this band had been creating music, they have held audiences spellbound all over the world. Their live renditions never get old and their music seems to always stay fresh and new, much like reliving the early days of the gleaming rock era that has been a stepping stone for generations.

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