Latest news with #JonBonJovi
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Music Legend, 63, Once Said Reunion Could Happen After Bandmate's Sudden Exit
Music Legend, 63, Once Said Reunion Could Happen After Bandmate's Sudden Exit originally appeared on Parade. Fans have long speculated whether the legendary band Bon Jovi would ever reunite — and with past interviews suggesting the frontman is open to it, now might be the time. Last year, the 63-year-old rocker revealed he's only spoken to guitarist Richie Sambora twice since his unexpected departure from the group in 2013. 'It was a shock,' Jon Bon Jovi said of Sambora's sudden exit mid-tour. 'Nobody anticipated it, no one saw it coming.' He recalled one of their last conversations on Easter Sunday, when they discussed their album What About Now. Sambora asked to stay home one more day — Bon Jovi agreed, expecting him back for their next show in Calgary. However, Sambora called and said he wouldn't be returning. The guitarist later claimed he left partly because he felt the band had grown 'stale' — a claim Bon Jovi strongly disagrees with. 'I didn't think so, and the collective, we didn't think so,' he once told Classic Rock. 'I personally thought that everything was going incredibly f--king well. And it was never brought up—in the room, in the writing, in the recording, or during the first 20 shows of that tour.' In that 2024 interview, Bon Jovi admitted the split still hurts and that they've barely kept in touch over the past 11 years. 'I've talked to him twice,' he said. 'He. Quit. The. Band. I swear to Christ there was never a fight, nothing… He wasn't kicked out, he quit. And he hasn't made any great overtures about coming back.' After Sambora's exit, the band tapped guitarist Phil X to fill in. By 2014, Bon Jovi officially confirmed Sambora would not return. Still, the door hasn't fully closed. In 2023, Sambora told PEOPLE a reunion 'could definitely happen.' 'It's just a question of when everybody's ready to go do it. It will be a big, massive kind of undertaking,' he said. The following year, while promoting his album Forever, Bon Jovi echoed that sentiment. 'If he wanted to show up and play sometime, he knows the songs. Absolutely no animosity, I can promise you that,' he told Audacy Check In. So with both sides seemingly open — what's the hold up? With bands like Oasis reuniting after 15 years and Black Sabbath returning for one final farewell, a Bon Jovi and Sambora reunion would be a perfect addition to the comeback trend. Music Legend, 63, Once Said Reunion Could Happen After Bandmate's Sudden Exit first appeared on Parade on Jul 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 11, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The cosmetics billionaire, the rock star, and a series of very mysterious property deals in prime Palm Beach
Nestled along an idyllic beachfront street in Palm Beach, Florida, lie a series of multi-million dollar mansions, each one draped in shrubbery to protect the privacy of their wealthy, sometimes world-famous, residents. As if the day-to-day curiosity about the homeowners wasn't enough, one particular block of properties is currently being targeted by an ultra-wealthy but mysterious buyer seemingly looking to create an enormous compound. Between February and June, the buyer has spent an estimated $250 million to $350 million on approximately four properties that form a square on North Ocean Boulevard, located just five miles from President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago golf club. Two of the properties were purchased from William Launder, heir to the Estée Lauder Companies. Another was bought from Cathleen Black, the former chairwoman of Hearst Magazine, and her husband, Thomas Harvey. Rumors suggest that the buyer is also eyeing a neighboring property that belongs to rock musician Jon Bon Jovi — who has so far refused to sell. The buyer is reportedly billionaire and former Microsoft employee Charles Simonyi, according to The Real Deal and New York Post, although he has not confirmed that and it's unclear what is planned for the mega-property. Mr. Simonyi goes to Palm Beach Simonyi, 76, is a Hungarian–American engineer, Martha Stewart's ex-boyfriend, and space enthusiast who served as the chief architect during the development of Microsoft Word and Excel. With an estimated net worth of $8.48 billion, Simonyi has used his vast wealth to continue advancing technology and supporting educational programs. He's also used some of it to support mostly Republican candidates over the years, including $2,700 to Trump in 2016 and $200,000 to his 2020 campaign. Palm Beach, where Trump's sprawling, but questionably valued, Mar-a-Lago residence is located, has become the nucleus of the MAGA movement. Florida itself has also become a central hub for Republicans, rapidly losing its status as a swing-state when Trump rose to political prominence. The estate on North Ocean Boulevard would be a short 15-minute car ride to the president's golf club, although it's unclear Simonyi plans to spend any time there. Mostly, it appears Simonyi's money goes toward establishing a comfortable lifestyle. In 1997, Simonyi upgraded his 21,000 square foot home in Medina, Washington to become a smart home, an early proponent of the technology alongside his neighbors in the Seattle suburbs, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. The billionaire's mansion Villa Simonyi is immediately recognizable with an intensely modern exterior that contains no right angles, and includes an art gallery and boat dock. Now, he appears to be targeting Palm Beach with his real estate investments, sources confirmed to The Real Deal. The Independent has reached out to Simonyi for comment. A quiet snag from the cosmetics billionaire In a hush-hush purchase, the unnamed buyer reported to be Simonyi reportedly shelled out nearly $200 million to Lauder for 2.8 acres of prime beachfront property with 360-degree views of the ocean back in February. Lauder, 65, served in executive positions at Estée Lauder until 2009 when he stepped down as CEO. He now serves as executive chairman in the family beauty business. He is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion. Lauder had been sitting on the land, which was made up of two lots, for several years. Initially purchased in 2021, the cosmetics heir demolished what was once a monstrous home, intending to use it for himself before choosing to put it on the market for a whopping $177 million, according to The Wall Street Journal. For nearly two years, the valuable plots sat empty on the palm-tree-lined street in Palm Beach before the unnamed buyer approached Lauder with an offer he couldn't refuse — although it's unclear exactly how much was paid. The sale was made confidentially, so deed records aren't available online. The only indication of the lofty price was when the Lauder's agent, Ryan Serhant, a real estate mogul with his own Netflix TV show, made a cryptic Instagram Story the day before news of the sale dropped. 'Sold and closed the most expensive home of my entire career today for just under $200 [million]. And I did the deal over the phone,' Serhant wrote, according to Bravo TV. The Independent has reached out to Serhant for comment. An unsolicited offer to the former magazine head Months after the quiet deal was made, the unnamed buyer reached out to the neighbors across the street who owned a 3,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style mansion, offering four times the amount that they initially paid for it. The owners, publishing pioneer Black and lawyer Harvey, handed over the deed to 1066 N. Ocean Blvd., a home they purchased in 2018 for roughly $4 million, in exchange for $18 million. Public records indicate the purchaser was listed as Creekshore LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Delaware back in May. The LLC's address is tied to Rabideau and Klein, a real estate law firm with an office in Palm Beach. The firm, which specializes in high-end residential real estate, declined to comment for this story. Harvey told the Wall Street Journal he did not know the identity of the buyer but that they made an unsolicited offer on his home. A third purchase on a neighbor's home Weeks later, 1072 N. Ocean Blvd., a terracotta-roofed home located next to Black and Harvey's, was purchased for $30 million – six times the amount that the previous owners bought it for in 2017. This time, Mango Leaf LLC, a limited liability company also incorporated in Delaware in May, was listed as the buyer. However, the address associated with the LLC is tied to a residential home in Vero Beach, Florida. Once again, Rabideau appeared to be involved in the deal, representing a trust that previously owned the home. Given the home is located next door to the most recent purchase, and across the street from Lauder's former home, it seems likely they are connected. An inquiry with a rock star The alleged buyer appears dedicated to snatching up the neighborhood homes and has reportedly inquired with the neighbors who live on either side of the property purchased from Lauder, South Florida Business & Wealth reported. But he may have run into some issues, specifically with one famous neighbor: Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi, 63, purchased the $43 million home in 2020. He moved from his home state, New Jersey, to the seven bedroom, 12-bathroom mansion designed by famed architect Thomas Kirchhoff, complete with columns, arches, marble and stunning ocean views. It's no wonder, when asked if he'd be willing to sell it, the 'Livin' on a Prayer' singer has reportedly resisted efforts. A spokesperson for Bon Jovi declined to comment. Breadcrumbs lead back to Microsoft executive There are no public documents that state Simonyi is the buyer, though the Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and The Real Deal all named him as the likely buyer. Incorporation records of the LLCs, reviewed by the Wall Street Journal, indicate Creekshore LLC and Mango Leaf LLCs are tied to Seattle-based lawyer, Greyson Blue. Blue works for K&L Gates, a law firm with ties to billionaire Bill Gates through his late father. He also previously worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Simonyi was the 40th employee of Gates' Microsoft. The Independent has reached out to Blue for comment. Sources familiar with the situation told the Journal that Gates is not the buyer of the Palm Beach properties. While Simonyi is widely believed to be the buyer, it's unclear what he plans to do with the land he's been snapping up. He could merge the properties to create a massive compound, similar to his Washington residence. That would rival others nearby – such as those located on 'Billionaire's Row' on South Ocean Boulevard or Trump's own Mar-a-Lago residence. He could be looking to create the newest high-tech home, embodying his work in the field. Or he could be looking to take up residence in Florida due to it's financial benefits and political alignment. While Simonyi has not stated his political beliefs publicly, his recent donations to Republican John Barrasso and the National Republican Senatorial Committee indicate he'd likely be content with the state's politics.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grammy-winning rocker cancels shows due to ‘serious injury'
Aldo Nova — a Canadian rock musician and producer who's worked with the likes of Celine Dion, Jon Bon Jovi and Clay Aiken — suffered a 'serious injury' that led him to canceling shows. Nova's wife, Sylvia Bechard, said her husband 'suffered a cervical spine fracture at the level of C1″ after 'an unfortunate fall down a flight of stairs' in a Facebook post on Sunday, July 6. 'Fortunately, he does not need spinal surgery but has to wear a special neckbrace for up to a year depending on his progress,' Bechard wrote. 'I will keep you updated on a regular basis. Thank you all.' Nova, 78, was forced to cancel about half a dozen upcoming U.S. shows that were set to begin on July 9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Loudwire reported. He last performed live on the 2025 Monsters of Rock Cruise in March, according to the outlet. Nova had previously written in a June Facebook post that he had begun work on a setlist for the now-cancelled performances. 'Me and my Yorkshire Terrier Roxy taking in some fresh [air] before I lock myself away in the basement, working on the new set for our upcoming July shows where we'll now be doing almost my completely first album, and, believe it or not, two songs from my 'Twitch' and 'Subject' and of course 'Blood on Bricks' albums.' Further information regarding Nova's recovery remains pending. Nova first rose to fame with his 1982 self-titled debut album, which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200. It's lead single 'Fantasy' went to No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1997, Nova won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year as co-producer of Celine Dion's 1996 album, 'Falling into You.' Nova has also written and produced numerous songs for other artists, including 'I Love You' by Faith Hill, 'Mister Big Time' by Jon Bon Jovi and 'This Is The Night' by Clay Aiken. Country music singer says he could be deported under Trump's new law Grammy winner Gaby Moreno to open Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival on Thursday Iconic '80s band makes surprise appearance at pop star's UK show Rock band reinvites Trump voters to shows after getting death threats Famous rock singer responds after booed at historic farewell concert Read the original article on MassLive.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Robert Kraft celebrates Fourth of July with star-studded party featuring shock performance by Elton John
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft celebrated the Fourth of July with a glitzy, star-studded party in The Hamptons featuring a surprise performance from the legendary Elton John. The party was reportedly held at the 84-year-old's mansion in Bridgehampton, New York with A-list attendees including sports star Mike Tyson as well as Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone and Jerry Seinfeld. Also in attendance, but not performing for Kraft's guests was Jon Bon Jovi. However, John came ready to serenade. The 78-year-old iconic singer reportedly arrived at his performance in a golf cart decorated with white feathers, emerging on stage in a yellow get-up. He then performed in front of a red piano, per PEOPLE. What songs were performed during John's Independence Day concert are unclear, as it would have been a real treat to see any of his greatest hits, as he retired from touring in 2023. Drone photographs of John performing and Kraft's mansion were posted to Instagram by Marianne Barnett, showing an American flag and the house lighting up an entire block. John can be seen at the opposite end of the home from the American flag sitting in front of the piano for his performance, with plenty of lavish guests watching on. It is unclear who else from the sports world was in attendance, as Kraft's muddled relationship with former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have played out in the public eye. Things appear solid with Brady, as he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame last year. Kraft's relationship with Belichick appears on less-solid ground, with Brady bringing the two together for s shot to bury the hatchet over the latter's firing during his Netflix roast. Also celebrating the holiday weekend in Bridgehampton was social media sensation Livvy Dunne, although it is not clear whether she had an invite to Kraft's party. Earlier on July 4th, Dunne was seen in a red-and-white bikini on the beach in The Hamptons. The former LSU gymnast also shared a photo in a white dress, wearing a pair of sunglasses and her tongue sticking out next to friend Lauren Maitland, akin to what some of Kraft's guests donned.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Uniquely Canadian': Stampede begins with parade led by country star Shania Twain
Shania Twain performs during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Jon Bon Jovi on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File) CALGARY — The Old West will be on full display as thousands clad in tassels, boots and buckles march through city streets today to kick off the Calgary Stampede. Country superstar Shania Twain will saddle up and lead the parade on horseback before performing Saturday at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Stampede runs until July 13. The 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' singer, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014. Twain, 59, is country music's top-selling female artist, according to Billboard. She is currently a judge on Citytv's 'Canada's Got Talent.' Her long string of hits includes 'That Don't Impress Me Much,' 'Any Man of Mine' and 'Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?' 'I can't think of a better parade marshal,' said Joel Cowley, the Stampede's chief executive. 'We expect to see 300,000-plus lining the streets once again. What a great way to kick off the Calgary Stampede.' People have traditionally arrived hours before the parade begins to get good seats. Stampede Park has been busy for the past week as crews assemble midway rides and concession stands. Gregg Korek with North American Midway Entertainment will be making his 49th appearance at the Stampede. He likens it to getting ready for the prom. 'We're just putting on the corsage right now,' he said. Growing up in Calgary, Korek joined the midway group as a teen. 'I always say I like all of our fairs exactly the same, but I like this one a little bit better because I'm a Calgarian.' Cowley said Stampede attracted almost 1.5 million visitors last year. Of that number, he said about 73 per cent were from the Calgary area. Another nine per cent were from Alberta and 10 per cent were other Canadians. The rest came from the United States or other countries. With Canadians unhappy about tariffs from the U.S., Cowley said domestic visitors could be higher this year. 'It is an international event, and I would think this year we would see a lot of Canadians looking for a Canadian vacation to come here to the Calgary Stampede,' he said. The first Stampede was in 1912, and Cowley said the event stays true to its agricultural roots. 'It's really something that needs to be experienced. At the heart of what we do is agriculture and Western heritage,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025. Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
