He Looked Like Jon Bon Jovi BEFORE He Became a Tribute Singer! Ep; 54

What does it really take to recreate Bon Jovi in their 1980s arena-rock prime? On this episode of Tribute Band Sessions, Mike Gendler sits down with Mike Parkes, founder and frontman of Slippery When Wet New Jersey, a Bon Jovi tribute band that has spent more than 20 years recreating the look, sound, energy and live experience of classic Bon Jovi. Mike shares his journey from playing bass in original bands and chasing record deals to becoming a lead singer and launching the tribute in 2001 following Bon Jovi’s resurgence with “It’s My Life.” He explains the incredible attention to detail required to capture Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and the band at their ’80s peak, including custom stage clothing, note-for-note guitar parts, vocal harmonies, original album arrangements and performing demanding songs like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “In These Arms” in their recorded keys. Mike also discusses vocal training, protecting his voice, building the perfect Bon Jovi setlist, why too many deep cuts can lose an audience, performing the entire Slippery When Wet album, band chemistry, playing without backing tracks and why tribute musicians need to master the details of the original music. We also dive into the business of tribute bands, including why some tribute acts succeed while others fail, whether tribute bands compete with original artists, what audiences expect from an authentic tribute show and the work required to build a successful touring act. From Seaside Heights and the Meadowlands to performing at New Jersey’s legendary Stone Pony, Mike Parkes and Slippery When Wet New Jersey have made it their mission to transport audiences back to the glory days of Bon Jovi—not by reinventing the music, but by recreating the songs, harmonies, musicianship and arena-rock experience fans remember. Find Slippery When Wet New Jersey Here ; https://jovitribute.com/ Find Tribute Band Sessions Here ; https://www.youtube.com/@TributeBandSessions Website⁠⁠tributebandsessions.com⁠⁠ Spotify⁠⁠open.spotify.com/show/6uWts5wBIgoZmB3wmL3tsq⁠⁠ Apple Music⁠⁠podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tribute-band-sessions/id1843760366⁠⁠ Facebook⁠⁠facebook.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠instagram.com/tributebandsessions⁠⁠ TikTok⁠⁠tiktok.com/@tributebandsessions⁠⁠ X⁠⁠x.com/TributeBandsPod #BonJovi #JonBonJovi #SlipperyWhenWet #TributeBands #TributeBandSessions 00:00 Introduction — Recreating 1980s Bon Jovi 01:14 Growing Up in New Jersey and Resembling Jon Bon Jovi 04:45 Playing Bass and Chasing a Record Deal 08:20 Moving From Bass Player to Lead Singer 12:05 The Changing Rock Scene of the Early 1990s 15:52 How His Father Suggested a Bon Jovi Tribute 18:05 Launching Slippery When Wet New Jersey in 2001 21:15 Why the Band Focuses on Bon Jovi’s 1980s Prime 24:38 Recreating the Look, Clothing and Stage Presence 27:40 Capturing Richie Sambora’s Guitar Parts and Harmonies 31:35 Learning Bon Jovi’s Music Note for Note 34:28 Singing “Livin’ on a Prayer” in the Original Key 37:15 Vocal Training and Protecting His Voice 40:05 Preparing for a Show and Avoiding Vocal Damage 43:32 Why Tribute Bands Are Not the “Easy Route” 47:08 Do Tribute Bands Take Gigs From Original Artists? 51:36 Why Some Tribute Bands Succeed and Others Fail 54:28 Creating the Perfect Bon Jovi Setlist 57:42 Why Too Many Deep Cuts Can Lose an Audience 1:00:55 Performing the Entire Slippery When Wet Album 1:03:48 Band Chemistry and Performing Without Backing Tracks 1:07:20 Playing The Stone Pony and Other New Jersey Venues 1:10:35 The Future of Slippery When Wet New Jersey 1:13:02 Recreating the Bon Jovi Fans Remember Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices