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Wednesday, 05 January 2011 14:08

Written by Scott Mervis

We saw the one Jersey-Pittsburgh connection with Bruce Springsteen and Joe Grushecky in December.

We’ll see it again when Norman Nardini opens for Bon Jovi Feb. 11 at Consol Energy Center.
Their friendship began when they met at an Asbury Park club in March of 1980 when Jon Bon Jovi was 18 and playing in a band called the Rest. In 1987, the Pittsburgh rocker stopped back stage at the Arena and ended up on stage with Bon Jovi doing Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Travelin’ Band.” Later that night, they hooked up again at the Decade, where Bon Jovi joined Norm Nardini and the Tigers for nearly a full set.

They’ve hooked up ever since, but it’s been over a decade since they shared a stage.

“It wasn’t anything I expected,” Nardini says. “Johnny just called on a Sunday morning and asked if I wanted to do the gig. I haven’t been pushing the business side lately. You know I’m not that good at business. I’ve just been working on my music. It was a happy surprise.”

Normally he plays as a trio, but he might add a piece or two for the arena gig.

Comments (6)

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written by Captain America, January 05, 2011 - 04:47 PM

Very cool. Norman is the heart and soul of Pittsburgh rock and roll. Lives it, breathes it, walks it, talks it.

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written by LarryZ, January 06, 2011 - 09:27 AM

Hmm...battle of the celebrity connections --

Grushecky/Springsteen vs. Nardini/Bon Jovi

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written by Boffyflow, January 17, 2011 - 02:33 PM

Norman is NOT a 12-year-old girl. Why would he tout his connection to this Bubblegum Boy Band king?

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written by Boffyflow, January 17, 2011 - 02:34 PM

LarryZ--there's a big difference. Bruce is an artist. JBJ is a celebrity.

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written by JT, January 18, 2011 - 01:17 PM

So cool that Johnny and NN struck up a friendship when Johnny was unknown and 18, brought NN to his parents' home for dinner, consulted NN about music...and now has NN open for him. Not bad for the blacksheep of the burgh music family. Good for you, NN!

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written by JMP878, February 03, 2011 - 05:19 PM

Norman and I have known each other for thirty years, he's rock-n-roll, I becamse law-n-order -- someone had to be on the law side!

Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Norman -- they all watched the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and the Blues boys -- putting out a RECORD, instead of a pop tune, and 6-7 craps tunes, to fill an album.

Norman, in his Wallstreet Journal article, back in the 1980's. which I still have my yellowing copy, stated "It takes talent, a lot of luck, and some smarts to make it big".

To me, Norman should have been at the top. End of story. I wish I could be at this concert. Two friends, having a good time and letting the audience in on the fun -- lovely!

Norm, you rock, as always!

Love you much,

j

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