Bon Jovi rocks, even if it means little

Bon Jovi is not struggling against time. It’s a rare band from the pop-metal ‘80s to remain a viable arena act with realistic hopes for new radio hits and face-time on MTV. The music has matured just enough to remain contemporary, while staying true to its history as urgent, empty pop.

Singer Jon Bon Jovi maintains his leading man looks and still fulfills his role as arena rock star. At Staples Center on Wednesday, there were two hours of fist pumping, fingers pointed skyward and arms stretched wide. He declared: “I do promise this will be the best aerobic workout you’ve had in a long time.”

That was at least partly true, as fans stood and danced to the likes of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” which somehow doesn’t sound dated and connected as easy-listening pop-rock.

Guitarist Richie Sambora pulled out his double-neck acoustic for the country-flavored rock of “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and fans sang the entire first verse without any help or prodding. The band went topical during the new “Undivided,” which taps into feelings of loss and community following 9/11, although the words were mostly lost in a muddled sound mix. Which hardly mattered. Nothing profound was offered, but it at least suggested some ambition.

Jon Bon Jovi also dedicated “The Distance” to all “the loved ones” of U.S. soldiers in Iraq and elsewhere, which seemed genuine, even from a singer in tight pants and a shirt open to his navel. It wasn’t Springsteen, but the man can still carry it off like a rock star.