September 25, 2008

By By Kamau High, N.Y.

Jon Bon Jovi showed off footage for the first time in public from the upcoming Phil Griffin-directed documentary about his band during a question-and-answer panel today (Sept. 25) as part of Advertising Week in New York.

The clips showed the Bon Jovi being interviewed (and using a fair amount of expletives) about life on the road and what the band means to him, plus performing before vast crowds. In addition, guitarist Richie Sambora is seen talking about his addiction to painkillers and how the band eventually convinced him to go into rehab.

At the end of the clip, which featured footage in both black-and-white and color, the words "25 Years in Black and White" and "Spring 2009" were shown on screen, although it could not be immediately ascertained if the former is the official title.

"We wanted to document what this is all about and keep creative control," Bon Jovi said during the session with former Billboard editorial director Tamara Conniff.

Bon Jovi also talked about his ongoing philanthropic efforts with the Arena Football League team he owns, the Philadelphia Soul, and how the band has remained relevant in an industry constantly on the prowl for the latest new thing. "You never saw us doing boy band dance moves or bringing a rapper on stage," he said.

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