Bon Jovi Sued for Giving Lyrics A Bad Name

Jon Bon Jovi is being sued for 400 bil -- yes, billion -- bucks by a Boston musician who says Jovi allegedly borrowed lyrics from his Boston Red Sox anthem entitled, "(Man I Really) Love This Team."

Samuel Bartley Steele, the front man for a band calling themselves "The Chelsea City Council," believes Bon Jovi heard his song while campaigning in Boston for John Kerry in '04, then used the lyrics in his own song entitled, "I Love This Town."

Regardless of the result, Steele really is livin' on a prayer if he thinks he's going to get that amount of cash.

A Bon Jovi spokesperson says they haven't seen the lawsuit yet.



Reader Comments

(Page 1 of 2) | 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. Sounds like he is getting sued by Dr. Evil.

Posted at 5:57PM on Oct 11th 2008 by Medley

2. Although I love Jon, couldn't TMZ come up with a better picture? What a bogus lawsuit. That's one of the problems today, anyone can sue for stupid amounts of money! $400 BILLION? Is this guy for real? What a joke, that suit should be tossed before it even gets anywhere! Just my opinion!

Posted at 6:02PM on Oct 11th 2008 by I luv Jon

3. I've never heard anything so ridiculous

Posted at 6:19PM on Oct 11th 2008 by Jenny Dublin

4. He doesn't even have 400 BILLION, that amount is insane just like the guy who thinks his so called song was stolen.LMFAO.
I heard his version & it is notrhing like BJ's song, they didn't even play the whole song IN A 4 PAGE ARTICIAL they talked about this guys childhood.
(when this story 1st broke a few months ago) I bet Jon & the guys are having a good laugh over this. The 1 & ONLY song
that BJ didn't write was "She Don't Know Me" & Jon didn't want it on the album but they had to, something to do w/ the record co. back then.
Hey Bart or whatever your name is, how come you never left a comment on you tube when i called you a lair???
Don't mess w/ us Jersey people. I can't wait to see this get thrown out of court!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BJ's # 1 fan since day 1, Tee.I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wonder where the other guy is that said he wrote "I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU"..LOL

Posted at 6:44PM on Oct 11th 2008 by Tee

5. I am a huge Bon Jovi fan. This picture is rather humerous but you would think they could find a better one. I think the lawsuit is BS. People will do anything to try and make a quick buck.

Posted at 6:48PM on Oct 11th 2008 by Jen

6. Jon Bongiovvi has more talent in his little finger than almost any other current rocker in this country. I sincerely doubt he has to resort to stealing some wanna be rockers lyrics to an anthem for the Boston Red Sox in order to fill up space on a new CD. That being said, does Mr. Steele really think he can get 400 billion dollars if he should win his frivilous lawsuit? Sounds to me like Mr. Steele has more time on his hands than brain cells in his head.

Posted at 7:04PM on Oct 11th 2008 by LostLass

7. Hey maybe the since the Fed is backing companies who love frivolity.. maybe they could back Bon Jovi if he loses the suit.. lol

Posted at 10:40PM on Oct 11th 2008 by Mrs M

8. Why can't everyone stop suing? For a good celebrity blog, go to: www.newjonas.com

Posted at 11:44PM on Oct 11th 2008 by NikkiC

9. GREAT ! Perfect opportunity for Jon Bon Jovi, Dave, Richie and Tico to be in the spotlight, ignite their billions of fans, and gain greater public recognition! People will be all over the internet listening to Bon Jovi's I Love This Town, get an opportunity to listen, once again, to the absolute magic of this world class rock and roll band, compare the Bon Jovi hit to this parasite's (Bart Steele) pathetic clanging and confirm in their minds why we should support Bon Jovi and go out and buy another 120 million CDs! For the legal matter, unfortunately this MAY be a fly on the face of Jon Bon Jovi to be swatted and temporarily distract him, but should put this jerk, Bart Steele, where he belongs - in absolute public shame and financial ruin. To Jon and the other Bon Jovi band members, your steadfast fans are here if you need us.

Posted at 1:11AM on Oct 12th 2008 by Huge Bon Jovi Fan

10. Nicely put Huge fan!
I cannot believe the insane amount this guy is suing for.....that floors me!
And to even think Jon would steal or "borrow" lyrics is just ridiculous.
The stupid things people do over the drive for $$$$$ money!
They need to throw this thing out before it even makes it to court....what BS!

Posted at 2:12AM on Oct 12th 2008 by Another Huge Fan :)

11. $400 billion? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I did laugh when someone wrote it sounded like he was being sued by dr. evil!

Posted at 3:16AM on Oct 12th 2008 by Valerie

12. Well said, Huge Fan. May the name of Samuel Bartley Steele rot in Hell. I had the opportunity to hear Jon Bon Jovi in Los Angeles back in April and I know he's on his game.

May the name BON JOVI endure forever.

We love Bon Jovi.

Posted at 4:17AM on Oct 12th 2008 by Obamacan in Fresno.

13. Die hard Jovi fan here from 1983. There is not enough space ANYWHERE for me to begin to write "why" that is but for me, although I like other bands (very much) there is quite simply "no other band" for me. That being written and hopefully kept in mind as you read, Jovi has "done it before". Being that die hard fan I would just simply "dismiss, overlook, pretend" that "no I didn't hear that, it's a mistake"...I am so good at doing that, that I can't recall the other songs that I have heard...but one in particular Jovi song (because it's a major fav) is Blaze of Glory. I was listening to the radio one day and this song came on and I have dog ears when it comes to my band until I intently listened and realized it wasn't but the same lyrics were there and I was in shock. I thought this is someone ripping off my guys but when I listened past the end and heard the "year" of the tune I thought "how can he, why would he, do such a thing?". Then like the die hard I am I "dismissed" it because Bon Jovi is my band and I just couldn't let anything ruin that. That was the first time but it certainly wasn't the last. In this particular case I just listened to Love This Team and a word or two may be in there but sound wise, I'd have to say "no" it's not the same song but perhaps it did give birth to That's why I Love This Town...it's happened before folks and I was one of the "take a bullet for the band" crew...they could do no wrong, they were under appreciated, others were jealous but sometimes you have to wake up and smell the Philly Cheese steaks....

Posted at 10:08AM on Oct 12th 2008 by Barbara

14. I love this story! Jon baby, the more you are in the spotlight the brighter you shine. This loser will get thrown out of court and it gives me more chances to see your beautiful face. (Although they could have picked a better picture) Well keep up the good work. We love YOU!!!

Posted at 1:30PM on Oct 12th 2008 by Ms. Jon Bon Jovi

15. Barack Obama and Durbin have both accused capitalism for the failure in the real estate market , without any responsiblity of their own failed democrat policies applied during the Clinton years. This policy was to obtain ‘affordable housing’ by any means (giving loans real estate loans to just about anyboby).
The fact that they do not take responsiblity is a Big problem if they get elected. The FINANCIAL CRISIS IS DUE TO THE POLICIES OF Goverment Runned Fanny Mae/ Freddy Mack . When two attempts at Reforms came in 2005 & 2006 they were Both BLOCKED BY The DEMOCRATS on the Congress Banking group , therefore, the Democrats Are Guilty for the Financial Crisis.
Not only are Barack Obama and Durbin Socialists , but they will Blame other groups of people for their own problems and Mis Management.

Posted at 4:27PM on Oct 12th 2008 by DNC IS GUILTY FOR FINANCIAL & CREDICT CRISIS

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