Jon Bon Jovi said March 14 that his return to the live stage remains uncertain, as he continues to recover from major surgery.
The rock legend underwent an operation on his vocal cords in 2022, and despite his desire to tour and perform, he admitted that his body isn’t quite there yet. The star said he’s prioritizing his health but still holds on to hope that he will be able to make a full return to live shows, according to a recent broadcast on Mix 104.1 Boston radio. The Grammy-winner was asked about his plans to promote his new album on the road, to which he replied, “I don’t know about a tour. It is my desire to do a tour next year, but I’m just still recovering from a major surgery.”
Bon Jovi said he’s been able to sing, but has taken it slow, and isn’t sure he can belt out the tunes continuously on a live stage, the way he used to, pre-surgery.
“Although I’m well on the road to recovery and was able to take my time and do a song a day when I made the record, my need, want, desire is to be able to do two-and-a-half hours a night four nights a week for months on end,” Bon Jovi said.
Jon Bon Jovi visits the Empire State Building on September 15, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust
In this image released on September 19, Jon Bon Jovi performs onstage for the 10th Anniversary of the iHeartRadio Music Festival streaming on CWTV.com and The CW App on September 18 & 19 and broadcast on The CW Network on September 27 & 28. Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer acknowledged that he is healing, but isn’t back to full capacity just yet.
“And so I’m working towards that goal,” the legendary rock star said.
Jon Bon Jovi attends Andy Cohen’s live broadcast at the new SiriusXM Miami Studios on May 02, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida. Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Jon Bon Jovi of Bon Jovi performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcasted live on TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 11, 2018 in Inglewood, California. Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia
Bon Jovi revealed he underwent a major surgery on his vocal cords in mid-February at a Television Critics Association press event for the upcoming Hulu docuseries about his band, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” according to People.
Musician Jon Bon Jovi arrives at the 2010 CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute held at The Shrine Auditorium on November 20, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Recording artist Jon Bon Jovi performs at an early vote event for Obama for America at the House of Blues inside the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the last day Nevadans are able to register to vote October 6, 2012 in Las Vegas Nevada. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images
At the time, he said one of his vocal cords was “thick as the thumb,” and the other was “atrophying” and was as “thick as a pinky.” (RELATED: Aerosmith Cancels Entire 2023 Tour, Citing ‘Serious’ Vocal Injury)
His 16th studio album, “Legendary” is slated for release in June.