Jon Bon Jovi dead? Nope, as he offers photographic proof he’s alive

by Bill Palmer

Jon Bon Jovi is alive and well, despite rumors of his demise today, according to his band’s official Twitter account. “Heaven looks a lot like New Jersey,” Bon Jovi tweeted, along with a link to a photo of himself. In the photo Jon is holding a hand-written sign with the same quote on it, along with today’s date and time. The rumor of the forty-nine year old rocker’s demise is the latest in an increasing string of celebrity faux-death stories, often initiated by a link posted on a social network such as Twitter or Facebook with a link to credible-looking yet fictitious news clip detailing the phony death story. Such hoaxes have been around since the popularization of social media, and in past years have been taken seriously by the mainstream media; comedian Sinbad was reported by major television networks as being dead after a phony post to a social network. The string of faux death stories has led media outlets to be more skeptical of such reports in recent years.

Jersey-based Jon Bon Jovi and his band Bon Jovi have had a string of hit albums and singles across three decades, spanning from eighties “hair metal” rock to contemporary pop rock. His solo hit song “Dead or Alive” has been the subject of many a pun across Twitter this evening in the wake of the sketchy report of his demise.

About Bill Palmer

Bill Palmer is Editor in Chief of Beatweek Magazine. His editorial contributions include interviews with musicians and iPhone industry coverage.