Bon Jovi Tribute Concert Sells Out

Over 500 music fans headed to the Yorktown Stage on Sunday evening for a Bon Jovi tribute show, the latest installment of the towns annual summer concert series. Bad Medicine, based out of Long Island, is one of the top Bon Jovi tribute shows in America and they showed Yorktown exactly why they earned that title.

Although the rain and clouds from earlier in the day had cleared out, the event was still moved indoors due to the wet grass near the gazebo and time needed to set up.

"I started this series sixteen years ago and it's a tremendously nice gesture on part of the Lions Club to the community to show that we care," said Joseph Straci, President of the Lions Club. "It's a lot of fun, especially on a nice day outdoors, but still you see a lot of families and children coming in today to enjoy the show."

The band kicked off their set with 'Lost Highway,' one of the more recent Bon Jovi hits, making way for an entrance from the bands lead singer, Steve Sage.

Right as Sage emerged onto the stage, audience members started doing double takes. His appearance was almost identical to that of Jon Bon Jovi himself, even matching his stage demeanor. With a light blue, cut-sleeved shirt and ripped jeans to go along with his shaggy blonde hair, Sage proved he could sing just as good as the real thing.

Keeping with the crowds energy, the band went right into the classic 'You Give Love A Bad Name.' Sage abandoned the acoustic guitar around his neck and started heading into the crowd with his microphone. The band, who have been touring together for over ten years, even carried on with the role-playing in between songs, talking as if they were Bon Jovi in the earlier days of their touring career.

"We were driving here with the hardest rain coming down and hitting our van," Sage said as he removed his sunglasses to address the audience. "I got the call that we were moving indoors and knew we'd make the best of it, apologies to those who couldn't get in here tonight."

He was referring to the packed house, where no seats were available and some residents even offered up their seats to stand in the back so some of the elderly fans could sit down.

Organizers of the event had to start refusing people at the door due to occupancy restrictions, resulting in many families having to turn around and head back home.

"We figured that we could show up a little late since it was going to be indoors," said Gail Geffner, who brought her daughter and her friend. "It's too bad, I would have loved to have seen the show".

Indoors, the concert continued on without missing a beat through well known hits such as 'Born To Be My Baby' and 'Bad Medicine,' the popular track that they adapted into their band name.

Throughout the two-set performance, the band took advantage of the indoor stage room, waltzing around the extended area and merging to the forefront during guitar solos.

The crowd eventually became a part of the band, turning the concert into a karaoke event as the musicians encouraged the audience to clap their hands and sing along to the chorus of the most popular tunes of the evening 'Wanted Dead Or Alive,' 'It's My Life,' and of course the classic 'Livin' On A Prayer.'

"The band is great so far, it's like seeing the real Bon Jovi in concert," Carol Luppino joked. "The kids are enjoying it and the best part is that it's free!"

The concert series continues on throughout the summer with three more performances at the John "Jack" De Vito Gazebo on Veterans Road.

• August 8 - 6 pm - Joey D. and the Starlighters
• August 22 - 6 pm - Luis Mangual and Its Salsa & Merengue All Stars
• September 5 - 6 pm - Let's Hang on Tribute to The Four Seasons