Bon Jovi Or The Boss? Residents Divided Over Which Rocker Rules New Jersey
ASBURY PARK, N.J.(CBSNewYork) -- Two of the biggest rock stars, Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen were both raised in New Jersey.
As CBS2's Jill Nicolini reported, one of the rockers recently weighed in on a debate over which artists is number one in the garden state.
"You know my respect for the E Street Band, and that's where that ends," Jon Bon Jovi told WCBS 101.1 FM's Scott Shannon, "They're them and we're us, and who cares? It's not a competition."
Shannon asked the question after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is a huge Springsteen fan, used Bon Jovi music for his presidential campaign instead of The Boss.
New Jersey residents offered praise for both artists.
"I think I have to go with Springsteen because he got popular here, he has an album called Asbury Park!" Felix Hoerner said.
"Bruce Springsteen all the way, he's just like the essence of New Jersey," Jackie Whitty said.
"Bon Jovi, he's awesome, sounds great, and just easier on the eyes," Lela Amader said.
"Right down the middle," another fan added.
Both artists have performed at Asbury Park's Stone Pony and got their start in the local music scene.
"I'm around 80 years, I'll take Springsteen. I like his songs, they have meaning to them. He really made the Stone Pony. Even though he started downtown he made the place," Ray Sterneski said.
"Bon Jovi, I grew up with his sound a lot when I was in high school," Sten Williamson said.
In a recent Asbury Park Press poll more than 20,000 votes were cast and fans chose Jon Bon Jovi as their favorite NJ rocker, but Springsteen wasn't far behind, he had only 289 less votes.
Both artists have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, but only Springsteen has made into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame so far.
