As New Jersey locals My Chemical Romance returned home with a headline show on Saturday night (Aug. 9), the group paid tribute to one of the state’s other iconic acts, Bon Jovi.
Performing at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey over the weekend, the latest show in the group’s ongoing Long Live The Black Parade Tour wrapped with a special cover version of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
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“We’re going to play you guys what may be the New Jersey state anthem,” frontman Gerard Way explained, noting it was requested by guitarist Frank Iero after witnessing Way perform it during karaoke. “I f–king love this song,” he added.
Released in 1986 as the second single from the band’s third album, Slippery When Wet, “Livin’ on a Prayer” became the second consecutive single from the record to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 following “You Give Love a Bad Name.”
As Way suggested, the song’s lyrics and its focus on the working-class from New Jersey have seen it achieve anthemic status within the state.
Earlier in the evening, the band’s set was interrupted by Michael Melham, the Mayor of the group’s hometown of Belleville. Melham was on hand to surprise the group by awarding them the key to the city.
“Belleville’s musicians have entertained millions worldwide,” Melham told the crowd. “Their sound has shaped generations.
“Yet even in our storied history in Belleville – Revolutionary War soldiers, Purple Heart recipients, a Supreme Court justice, various professional athletes – never once in the history of Belleville have we handed out a key to the city and that changes right now.”
Way, who was reportedly unaware of the honor beforehand, accepted graciously, albeit remaining in character as The Black Parade portion of the band’s set required. “We cannot let you leave without giving you a token of our land, Draag,” he told Melham in an Eastern European accent before handing him a bundle of wheat and a “Gubric fish, from the Gubric River” in return.
Watch My Chemical Romance cover “Livin’ on a Prayer” below.
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