Ignoring hair — Jon Bon Jovi has always had great hair and Chris Daughtry goes with a chrome-dome do — there are a lot of similarities between these bands. Both bands have a charismatic lead singer with a great voice. In the case of Daughtry, his voice is stronger and richer than Bon Jovi’s, but then again, he’s also at least twenty years younger.
Both bands are named for their charismatic singers. In the case of Bon Jovi, there is more to the band than just Jon. But in 1983, when Bon Jovi hit the charts, it might not have seemed like it. Daughtry has a full band, loaded with musicians who are both talented and attractive. That we don’t know their names yet might be the result of them only having the one album out so far. It took a few years — and Heather Locklear — for Richie Sambora to be as well-known as Jon Bon Jovi.
More importantly, both bands make music that connects with a broad spectrum of listeners. These bands just finished touring together, with Daughtry as the opening act. The fact they sold out huge arenas everywhere they went could probably be attributed to Bon Jovi alone. But most of those audiences were in place to catch Daughtry, in higher percentages than for many other “first album tour” bands.
The Bon Jovi audience is made of up all ages. Daughtry, by benefit of American Idol, also has a much wider audience than most beginning rock bands. And Daughtry just played to all of Bon Jovi’s fans. In addition, in a clear case of the older, experienced guy handing off to his younger protege, Daughtry dueted with Bon Jovi on “Blaze of Glory”. It was a great live performance, and Daughtry held his own and, in some ways, was better than Jon.
Will Daughtry steal Bon Jovi’s fans? Never. Will Daughtry gain those fans as his own? Chances are better than good. Barring the sophomore album stinking, this is a band that’s going to stick around … just like Bon Jovi.
