What’s occurring? Bon Jovi are back — and this time, they’re bringing half the rock world (and a few unexpected pop curveballs) with them. The lads just unveiled the guest singers joining their brand-new Forever (Legendary Edition) album, dropping October 24th via Island Records, and tidy… this lineup is nothing short of epic. 🤯
We’re talking Springsteen. Joe Elliott. Jelly Roll. Avril Lavigne. Even Robbie flaming Williams! That’s right — Jon Bon’s cracked open the guestlist like it’s an all-inclusive aftershow bar at Download. 🍻
⭐ The Guest List of Dreams
Here’s who’s hopping on stage with JBJ & co for this mega-duets reissue:
- Bruce Springsteen 🕶️ – The Boss finally joins forces with his Jersey brother. Expect E-Street meets Bon Jovi stadium thunder.
- Jelly Roll 🥃 – Country-rap outlaw colliding with Jersey hair-spray riffs. Chaos incoming.
- James Bay 🎸 – Smooth crooner adds a little indie seasoning.
- Robbie Williams 🕺 – Angels meet Living On A Prayer. What could possibly go wrong?
- Jason Isbell 🌵 – Americana’s finest storyteller lends grit.
- Ryan Tedder 🎶 – OneRepublic brainbox drops chart-smarts.
- The War & Treaty 💔 – Gospel-soaked power. Big voices, bigger feels.
- Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) 🐆 – Glam meets hair. The Midlands lad goes toe-to-toe with JBJ.
- Lainey Wilson 🤠 – Country queen of the moment.
- Avril Lavigne 🎀 – Pop-punk princess levels up the riffs.
- Marcus King 🎸 – Blues prodigy. Guitar heaven.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s whispers of more names lurking in the wings. 👀
🎶 Track-by-Track Breakdown
Here’s the Legendary Edition setlist — each track paired with its special guest:
- Red, White & Jersey – brand new tune, pure Bon Jovi firestarter 🇺🇸🔥
- Legendary (feat. James Bay)
- We Made It Look Easy (feat. Robbie Williams)
- Living Proof (feat. Jelly Roll)
- Waves (feat. Jason Isbell)
- Seeds (feat. Ryan Tedder)
- Kiss The Bride (feat. Billy Falcon)
- The People’s House (feat. The War & Treaty)
- Walls Of Jericho (feat. Joe Elliott)
- I Wrote You A Song (feat. Lainey Wilson)
- Living In Paradise (feat. Avril Lavigne)
- My First Guitar (feat. Marcus King)
Tell me that ain’t a ridiculous line-up. That’s not just an album — that’s a bloody festival bill squashed onto one disc. 🏟️
🤘 Why This Matters
Bon Jovi could’ve just dropped a deluxe reissue with a couple of demo tracks and called it a day. Instead, they’ve gone full arena spectacle, pulling in everyone from country rebels to pop-punk icons.
It’s proof that JBJ still sees Bon Jovi as stadium leaders, not nostalgia jukeboxes. Bringing in fresh voices — from Jelly Roll’s rough-edge growl to Avril’s bratty sparkle — means these songs will land with a new energy.
And let’s be honest, seeing The Boss & Bon Jovi finally collide? That’s pure New Jersey mythology. Like a Bruce Springsteen x Bon Jovi Avengers Assemble moment. 🦸♂️🎶
🥁 The Big Question
Will it be legendary… or a mad patchwork of styles that doesn’t quite stick? 🤔
Either way, we’re getting Robbie Williams crooning over Bon Jovi riffs, Avril Lavigne doing her best stadium-queen impression, and Joe Elliott howling like it’s 1987 all over again. Even if it’s a glorious mess, it’s a glorious mess we absolutely need.
📅 Release Date
👉 Forever (Legendary Edition) drops October 24, 2025, via Island Records.
Mark it in your calendars, mun. This ain’t just another Bon Jovi record — it’s shaping up like a rock n’ roll crossover event of the year.
Final Riff 🤟
Bon Jovi said it best back in the day: “It’s my life, it’s now or never.”
Well, this feels like one of those moments. A proper job from Jon and the gang, and whether you’re in it for Springsteen, Avril, Jelly Roll or just the nostalgia, one thing’s clear:
Forever just went legendary. 🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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