Posted on 02/20/2022 10:51:49 PM PST by nickcarraway
In February 1989, the Replacements appeared on the cover of Musician Magazine with a headline crowning them “The Last, Best Band of the ‘80s.” The unofficial title didn’t sit well with one of the era’s biggest stars: Jon Bon Jovi.
The Replacements had developed a strong following throughout the ‘80s thanks to their pioneering alt-rock style. With earnest lyrics and the raw vocals of frontman Paul Westerberg, the group carved themselves a distinctive niche among underground rock fans. They weren’t scoring platinum albums or chart-topping hits, but they were highly respected by the “cool kids.”
At the other end of the spectrum sat Bon Jovi. The group had released four studio albums by ‘89, all of which were platinum-selling hits. The biggest success was 1986's Slippery When Wet, a worldwide phenomenon that launched Bon Jovi into rock’s upper echelon thanks to classic tracks like “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Still, despite their huge commercial success, the band was generally dismissed by critics. For Jon Bon Jovi, reading praise heaped upon the Replacements seemingly struck a nerve.
“‘The Last Great Band of the ‘80s.’ Yeah, right,” the rocker scoffed during his own conversation with Musician. “I never heard of these guys, but I guess you’re an artist if you’re on the cover of Musician magazine.”
According to Replacements biographer Bob Mehr, Westerberg couldn’t help but respond with a swipe of his own when he heard about Bon Jovi's reaction.
“How many critical raves has he had?” the Replacements frontman reportedly smirked. “Sure, I might trade bank accounts [with Bon Jovi], but I wouldn't want [his] pants."
The Replacements broke up in 1991 but eventually reunited more than two decades later. Bon Jovi, meanwhile, has continued to enjoy massive commercial success for nearly 40 years.
In 2016, Mehr got to ask Jon Bon Jovi about his Replacements comment, but the frontman claimed he had no recollection of the incident.
The Replacements? Ok....
I saw them in the ‘80s. Outstanding performance in a small venue.
Why does Anchovi have a problem with Shane Falco and Clifford Franklin?
Actually
I far prefer the Replacements
Only jersey hair song I like is ironically the cowboy one
Replacements were truly original. Bon Jovi is the exact opposite.
Me, not so much...
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days
The people I meet always go their separate ways
Sometimes you tell the day by the bottle that you drink
And times when you're alone, well, all you do is think
Yeah, it was tough writing lyrics like those.
To this day he hardly has enough energy left to hate Trump.
I was one of those “cool kids”. If only I could get my children to believe it
Paul Westerberg has a good solo career going.
(audio fidelity isn't the best, at least on my machine)Paul Westerberg - As Far As I Know
October 3, 2010 | aittam
Likewise. Alex Chilton is one my favorites from them.
I never liked Bon Jovi.
BJ is a punk... that said, never heard of them either, but i don’t listen to radio music so
What's not to like about Jesus rides beside me, He never buys any smokes?
(...but here we are...)
A friend of mine and his then-wife were huge Bon Jovi fans back in the day and would see them multiple nights in a row on tour and he told me that everything was scripted, even the small talk banter between songs was identical night over night. A total plastic phony that sells an image.
some of the best bans never got a record deal and performed in small venues around the country. All that Being will known means is that you are well known.
not saying they are bad, they must be somebody if the boi is whining about them, just that i’ve never heard of them
like i said i haven’t/don’t listen to radio music much for 20yrs so i really don’t know most of anybody else out there either
i goog’d them and liked most of what i heard
Funnily enough his other good song is also cowboy themed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o
That’s Jeff Beck on the guitar solo, btw.
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