'I have remained true to who we are'

Bon Jovi is the NJ boy who went from blue-collar to global superstar.

New Delhi: He is the New Jersey boy who went from blue-collar to global superstar and after three decades of rock and roll, Jon Bon Jovi is still on top of his game.

The frontman of the iconic band `Bon Jovi`, the highest grossing worldwide touring act of 2010, says that there is still a lot to learn, including the `Sa Re Ga` of Indian music. "I would like to visit India. Unfortunately, till now I haven`t got any connections to the Indian music scene. I want to hear classical but never got a chance," Jovi told reporters. The singer-songwriter penned Bon Jovi`s cult anthems like `It`s My Life` and `Living On a Prayer` and their `Greatest Hits` album recently peaked at the top spot in global charts. The secret to it all is rather simple, says the rocker who at 50, still has the full head of blonde hair that made him a global sex symbol. "We have remained true to who we are and I love my work. That, according to me is a blessing. No matter who you are or what you do, if you love your work, you are blessed," said Jovi. `Bon Jovi` consisting of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres and bassist Hugh McDonald, broke on to the scene with the hit `Runaway` in 1983. But the rocker says that the he and his bandmates have long outgrown the spandex-wearing dudes they were when they began with `Runaway`. And that reflects in their music. "Throughout the years our music has grown and matured and become a little more social conscious but like I said we are true to who we are," said Jovi whose charity the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation helps build homes for the poor in his native New Jersey. The band recently won the Global Icon trophy at the MTV awards and Jovi had recently announced that he may be hanging up the boots to become a family man for his four children and wife, high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley. But Jovi says that he measures success by not how long they will stay but with how long they have come. "We, as a band have come a long way. With every new day, we have learnt something new. For us, the success of our career over the years is how we like to measure our success," said Jovi. His much awaited Mumbai performance at Live Earth was cut short by the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. And Jovi says that he will make up when he finally visits. "I will make an announcement when I am visiting," promises the rocker. PTI