FLASHBACK: Illinois High School Changes Graduation For Bon Jovi

In 1987, Bon Jovi was exploding on the music scene and they were so popular a high school in Illinois had to change their graduation because so many students were going to the band's concert.

Rockford's Concert History

The Rockford area has a rich and deep history with music. Of course, everyone has heard of Cheap Trick. There's the time Ozzy collapsed on stage during a show at the Metrocentre. The Rolling Stones played a special concert here. Then, there's the legend of Bon Jovi.

READ MORE: Why Did Ozzy Collapse On Stage In Rockford?

When the Bon Jovi album "Slippery When Wet" came out, they became one of the biggest bands in America. The teenagers in Illinois were huge fans. I remember just about everyone in my high school bought the record. Their concerts sold out immediately.

A girl I grew up with won a meet-and-greet with tickets for a show in Chicago off the radio. She was immediately crowned the queen of the school. The band's crew was filming while those fans got their picture with Bon Jovi. That ended up in the music video for "Wanted Dead or Alive." Check out my friend...

Illinois High School Changes Graduation For Bon Jovi

On the sold-out Bon Jovi "Slippery When Wet" tour, there was a show scheduled for the Rockford Metrocentre. Jon got sick and the concert had to be rescheduled. The new date was set for the same night as graduation at South Beloit High School. Many of the students had camped out overnight in the cold for their tickets so they were very disappointed.

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The principal of the school found out about the problem, so he changed the time to earlier in the day so the students could attend both the graduation and concert. MTV awarded South Beloit High School its Cool School of the Week. Jon Bon Jovi even showed up and made a quick appearance during the ceremony.

READ MORE: Bon Jovi Debuts New Song At Charity Event

The school gave the band football jerseys which they wore during the show. The drummer, Tico Torres, even wore one in the music video for "Born To Be My Baby." Find out more details of the whole story, HERE.