The Bon Jovi Experience come to the Jolly Tar in Wardle

Aug 25 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

PREMIER tribute act The Bon Jovi Experience make their debut at the Jolly Tar in Wardle tomorrow (Thursday).

The outfit, who used to be known as By Jovi, stand out for their incredible similarities in both appearance and sound to the real thing, so much so that lead singer Tony Pearce was once mobbed by hundreds of autograph-hunting fans and photographers at a Bon Jovi gig.

Opera-trained Pearce joined By Jovi in the mid-1990’s shortly before the tribute band phenomenon began, and together they toured all over the UK, Europe and Middle East.

After splitting in 2004, he felt he couldn’t let a good thing die, and, together with guitarist Steve Millichamp, formed the Bon Jovi Experience, bringing with him By Jovi members Jon (Tico), Rob (Hugh) and Chris (Dave), while Edd also joined as guitarist Richie Sambora.

Over time, The Bon Jovi Experience has gained a legion of fans, including Jon Bon Jovi himself who once invited them to perform live with him at London’s Hard Rock Café.

Tony has also made several TV appearances on shows such as International Stars And Their Doubles, BBC’s Doctors and British film Kinky Boots.

Landlord Ray Bispham, who booked the band regularly in his Limelight Club days, said: “You could almost be fooled into thinking that this band was the real thing. Tony Pearce is quite simply a mirror image of the man himself.”

Even Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger said of him: “Have you seen this guy, he looks so much like Jon Bon Jovi. It’s freaky man.”

The show starts at 9.30pm and tickets are priced £5.

For more information phone the pub on 01270 528283 or visit www.jollytarpub.co.uk