A middle-aged Maltese man is wondering when Isle of MTV will finally bring over Bon Jovi.
The one-day pop music festival has been held in Malta every year since 2007, but as yet the lineup has never featured the American glam rock band, whose last number 1 hit was in 1989.
“It’s only a matter of time. To be honest I don’t know why it’s taken MTV so long,” self-styled rocker Kevin Abela told Bis-Serjetà.
“I’m sure the youth of today would like nothing more than to sing along to the chorus of ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’. But for some reason, the people who book the acts keep bringing over these crappy ‘artists’ with silly names like Halloumi Faith, Rita Oreo and Steve Okey-Cokey, who dress weird and make horrible electronic sounds. I mean no one actually listens to this crap, right?
“Where are the face-melting guitar solos? Where’s the leather and metal studs? Where’s the big hair? These so-called industry experts really don’t have their fingers on the pulse,” he complained.
The 48-year-old dad of three also accused Viacom, the conglomerate that owns MTV, of not doing enough to make the concert more appealing to older Maltese people.
“Everyone knows that ‘It’s My Life’ is basically Malta’s unofficial national anthem. As Jon sings, “It’s my life! It’s now or never! I don’t wanna pay my taxes!””
Despite his frustration, Abela said he was prepared to compromise.
“I’m not an unreasonable man. I’d be perfectly happy if they brought over another popular band, like Aerosmith or Skid Row. Come on Lou Bondi and Gianni, use your influence to get MTV to give the kids what they really want.”
