My Chemical Romance delivered a stirring tribute to New Jersey rock royalty during their weekend performance at MetLife Stadium, covering Bon Jovi’s all-time classic “Livin’ on a Prayer” to close out their homecoming show.
MCR frontman Gerard Way acknowledged the song as “what may be the New Jersey state anthem” before launching into the 1986 hit. Way, performing in army fatigues, admitted to the crowd that this was one of only two karaoke songs he’d ever sung (watch below).
Despite a minor stumble during the second verse, the band delivered a faithful rendition of the Bon Jovi song. The performance captured the essence of the original, complete with its distinctive grunting rhythm and Richie Sambora’s signature guitar squeal.
The choice to cover Bon Jovi wasn’t entirely surprising, given the shared New Jersey heritage between the bands, with My Chemical Romance actually opening for Bon Jovi at a Jersey venue all the way back in 2007. The cover also continues a tradition at MetLife Stadium, where major acts frequently pay homage to New Jersey’s musical legacy — Coldplay and Zach Bryan, for example, recently brought out Bruce Springsteen during their respective shows at the venue.
Saturday’s concert also represented a milestone for My Chemical Romance, marking their first headlining performance at the 80,000-seat stadium in their home state. The significance of the occasion was further emphasised when the band received a key to the city of Belleville, where three members, including Gerard Way and his brother Mikey, were raised.
During the presentation, Belleville mayor Michael Melham noted the city’s rich musical heritage, mentioning that it was also home to the Four Seasons and the late pop singer Connie Francis.
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The show was part of My Chemical Romance’s ‘Long Live the Black Parade Tour’, during which the band have been performing their seminal album The Black Parade in its entirety.
The tour, which launched last month in Seattle, continues through late September before concluding in Atlanta. Following the American leg, the band will embark on a South American tour early next year, with two surprise shows recently announced at London’s Wembley Arena in July. At the time of writing, no Australia or New Zealand dates have been confirmed by the band.
