I Proved That Jon Bon Jovi Is Not Dead
December 30, 2011 by David Bergman
Sometimes you just wind up in the right place at the right time.
Last week, I went down to Red Bank, New Jersey because Bobby Bandiera was hosting his annual Hope Concert at the Count Basie Theater. I wanted to show my support for Bobby, but also knew that Jon Bon Jovi was going to be making a surprise appearance at the event and thought I might be able to make some unique behind-the-scenes photos.
Jon was also ready for his next photo lesson. As Bon Jovi’s tour photographer, I began teaching him how to use his DSLR camera during the European leg this summer. We spent hours walking through parks in Vienna and Barcelona shooting pictures and talking about aperture, shutter speeds, and ISO values.
Photo by Matt Bongiovi
I photographed Jon at rehearsal in New Jersey and then went back to his house to talk about flash compensation and other geeky photo things.
That’s when things got weird.
A rumor on the internet said that Jon Bon Jovi had died.
After the initial shock, we all had a good laugh since Jon was right there in the room opening Christmas presents with his kids. He was very much alive.
Almost immediately, all of our phones began to explode with calls, texts, and emails. The news had spread like wildfire online. I picked up the phone saying, “No, he’s not dead.”
After about 15 minutes of this, I suggested that we shoot a photo or video to show the world that Jon was fine and this was all just a sick joke. I thought he should be holding a newspaper to prove the date or at least a handwritten sign telling his fans that he was perfectly OK.
He came up with a great line to write: “Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey.” He added the date and time so there would be no question that it was a current photo.
I put him in front of the Christmas tree in his living room, snapped a few quick frames, and posted one to my Twitter feed and Facebook page. We also put it on the band’s official Facebook and Twitter accounts so everyone would know that it was legit.
(Nikon D3, 24-70 at 40mm, ISO 2500, 1/30, f/4. SB-900 flash bounced off the ceiling.)
Later that night, when Jon came out on stage at the benefit, he said, “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
Overnight, the picture went viral. It had 110,000 “likes” on Facebook and was shared over 60,000 times in one day.
I fielded media requests all day and my agent licensed usage to CNN, TMZ, The View, Extra, Access Hollywood, and The David Letterman Show among others. It was everywhere.
A number of parodies quickly popped up including a photoshopped version with the face of deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-il by Mad Magazine.
It was a surreal experience being in the middle of this international story as it happened. I had a similar viral experience with my Gigapan at President Obama’s inauguration, but I obviously couldn’t have planned this one.
Maybe my next photo lesson for Jon will be “How to photograph celebrities to prove that they’re alive.”
** UPDATE: The guy who started the rumor has come forward and regrets his actions.
Good thing Jon was home with his family. Would hate to have seen the heartache this would have caused otherwise.
Had a similar incident happen to me growing up. Good thing I was home at the time when the cops called my dad to say that I was dead. Next time I see you remind me and I will tell you the whole story.
Maybe Adam and Jamie will make you an honorary Mythbuster.
Happy Holidays to you and yours.
Excellent blog, David !! Thank you for sharing this with us ! So great you’re teaching John how to take pictures ! Parks in Barcelona, huh…. and we were waiting for a whole day at the olympic stadion
Good luck in future, David ! And Happy New Year !
Hi!
I was driving my car when I first heard the news. My best year suddenly felt like the worst. So this photo made my day!
And thanks for sharing the photo settings! Trying my best to be an ok photographer, but is still blaming the camera that I don’t succeed!
Thank you for your great work with my favourite guys!
Happy New Year! May this be as good as the past!
hi David, thank you for being there and took this shot for us. the right person in the right place!
Could you tell Jon to make his personal page on F/B or Twitter, so we the fans can talk to him?
It was great you were teaching Jon how to take good photos. I wish I had a teacher like you! I would be glad if you come back to Greece and meet you!!!
My best wishes to you and your family for the New Year!!!!
I have purchased a few other pictures of Jon from you David, but this one, I must say, has been the most precious. 15 million Facebook fans’ hearts stopped when they heard the “news” of Jon’s passing. Your photo was better than a cardioversion for bringing us back to reality. Truly, your photo may have saved a few lives. News as shocking as Jon dying MAY have had some serious consequenses for some. It’s not uncommon for people to have heart attacks and strokes when under stress. I read of a man in the Pittsburgh area who died of a heart attack while watching his beloved Steelers play in the Super Bowl. So it’s not so far-fetched to call your photo “life-saving”. Your photo was visible EVERYWHERE on Facebook. I participate in several Bon Jovi fan pages and we posted your photo on a page where I am the administrator, “Bon Jovi Should Be Inducted In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”. MANY of my Facebook friends posted the photo as their profile picture. The photo was published with an article in our local newspaper, The Butler Eagle (Butler Pennsylvania). Your photo represents the best Christmas present we could have received; proof that we can plan to see Jon during the next tour, and hopefully you behind the camera. I wrote this on my Facebook page and I mean it sincerely - I hope that I die before Jon does, so that I never, EVER have to read the real news of him passing. That would be one of the saddest days of my life. Many thanks for coming to our rescue, and swiftly posting your photo; one that brings new meaning to the word “proof”. Have a blessed New Year, and keep those “F stops” and lenses focused right on our favorite band.
Hi David,
Let me thank you sincerely for taking and for posting that precious picture of Jon. When I heard the tragic news on my home from work, I had to pull over and wipe tears from my eyes. May 17, 2011 was the first time in my 42 years to have the pleasure of attending one of Bon Jovi’s concerts. I’d be damned if he was going to pass away on my 43rd birthday!! Yes, December 19 is my birthday…what a way to remember this day now. I was elated to see the proof that he was alive and well! I will never forget this day and what could have been my worst birthday EVER.
David,
I am so glad you were with Jon when all this nonsense blew up! Thank you so, so very much for giving us Jon’s proof of life…
Keep up the good work and hope to see you on the road with the boys!
~Robin
David,
I am happy to see you have a blog. Too cool.
Have to say, thanks for the photo of Jon to prove he is alive.
Thanks for all the wonderful photos of Bon Jovi during the last 2 years. So awesome!
Can’t wait to see what 2012 brings!
Take care.