Bon Jovi cancels tour so fans can get refunds to ‘buy groceries’

Bon Jovi has announced its summer tour is officially off because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rather than postpone the tour, however, the band is canceling.

In a statement posted to social media Monday, Bon Jovi explained the decision.

“Due to the ongoing global pandemic, it is no longer feasible for Bon Jovi to tour this summer,” the statement reads. “Given these difficult times, we have made the decision to cancel the tour entirely. This will enable ticketholders to get refunds to help pay their bills or buy groceries. These are trying times. You’ve always been there for us and we’ll always be there for you. We look forward to seeing everyone again on tour when we can all safely be together. We will continue to send out news and updates on Bon Jovi touring in the weeks and months to come.”

Bon Jovi had been scheduled to tour this summer with Bryan Adams. The “Bon Jovi 2020 Tour” was set to come to the Prudential Center in Newark on July 14. The tour was to end with two shows at Madison Square Garden on July 27 and 28.

The band’s keyboardist, David Bryan, recently recovered from the coronavirus disease. Bon Jovi’s statement seems to acknowledge recent difficulties fans have experienced when trying for refunds, especially when there is no rescheduled date for a postponed show.

Ticketmaster recently changed its policy so that fans can get refunds for rescheduled concerts after Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9th Dist., and Rep. Katie Porter, D-California, complained to its parent company, Live Nation, that fans could not get refunds for shows that were postponed indefinitely.

On Wednesday night, Jon Bon Jovi is set to appear as part of the “Jersey 4 Jersey” concert in support of the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund. He’s also written a coronavirus-inspired song called “Do What You Can,” which he introduced as a collaborative project, inviting fans to write their own lyrics about their experiences and struggles during the pandemic.

Bryan, the keyboardist, recently tested negative for COVID-19 after several weeks of being sick with the coronavirus disease.

“Got my test back today,” Bryan, 58, shared on Instagram Sunday. “Thankfully I’m Covid-19 negative! 5 weeks to the day that I got sick… I’m a very lucky guy! There are people who have no symptoms, people who got sick (like me), people fighting for their lives and people who sadly have lost their lives. This is a nasty virus BUT science/medicine will conquer all. Thank you to all for your well wishes. Thank you to all the Doctors and Nurses and all on the front lines. You are the true heroes!”

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