Some Jon Bon Jovi were in for a letdown after ordering a piece of memorabilia.
After the Grammy Award winner, 62, released his band’s 16th studio album Forever earlier this month, fans in the US have complained on social media that they allegedly received CDs autographed by autopen.
‘Buyers beware: @jonbonjovi @BonJovi store is sending out autopen signatures,’ wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). ‘Talk Shop Live is also sending out the same ones. The UK signatures appear to be hand signed.’
‘Looks like @BonJovi is the latest to sell autopenned as autograph…’ wrote another. ‘Dear @UMG, It’s costing you a lot of money to lie about your products. How many people are getting a refund on this? I know, your time is so precious, but lying to fans ain’t the win. NOBODY WANTS AUTOPENNED.’
Another disappointed customer wrote, ‘I don’t care if it wasn’t super expensive, it’s the principle of the thing. Disappointing :(‘
Others complained that the autograph was on an insert instead of the CD booklet, or that the signature was on a dark part of the photo where it wasn’t visible.
Some fans gave Bon Jovi the benefit of the doubt, sharing photos of him signing autographs at events.
‘Jon – All your fans don’t want to believe that you had knowledge that your people knowingly sent out fake autographs of yours to boost record sales,’ they added. ‘We would like to hear it from you and maybe have the shot at legit signatures since it was under that premise these were purchased.’
Another reasoned, ‘It’s a Jon Bon Jovi autograph for the same price as an unsigned CD and people are still complaining? I’m just thankful a legend like him would take the time for the fans to do that. I can’t wait to get mine.’
Kevin Keating, the principal autograph authenticator for Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), confirmed to Cllct that some of the autographs were done by autopen, due to machine-like tremors and clear starts and stops.
He said that the autographs would be deemed ‘not authentic’ by PSA.
Bon Jovi’s Forever is their first album since the singer underwent surgery for vocal cord atrophy, which forced the group to cancel their 2022 tour.
The artist has since been recovering with the potential to tour again, noting to Men’s Health that he ‘perfectly‘ sang the group’s 1986 single ‘Livin on a Prayer’ during a recent vocal therapy session.
‘I can hit the high B’s and C’s, no problem,’ added Bon Jovi.
Still, Bon Jovi said he doesn’t plan to return to the road unless he’s ‘100 percent of 100 percent.’
‘We’re so blessed at this point that we can go out,’ he said.
‘I’m amazed, because I’ve heard [everyone from] doctors to people in the industry say to me, “People will pay money just to see you go up there and do it.”‘
Bon Jovi explained, ‘I don’t want their money, and I’m not going to spend their time. It’s just not an option.’
Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is now available to stream on Hulu, and Bon Jovi’s Forever is now available for streaming and download.
