MEMBERS of a tribute band who performed with rock legend Jon Bon Jovi have described the experience as 'a life-changing day'.

The Bon Jovi Experience, who had the pleasure of singing with Jon, will play Weymouth Pavilion on Friday, May 10.

After starting out as a tribute band called By Jovi playing in pubs, following a name change to the Bon Jovi Experience, the band have all grown as musicians and people alike.

They are still the best of friends yet had no idea all those years ago that they would become what is said to be the number one Bon Jovi tribute band in the world, endorsed by Jon Bon Jovi himself: The Bon Jovi Experience.

Frontman Tony Pearce said: "From the very beginning in the early 80s I was sitting in a rock pub called The Bitter End, in Crewe with my now Keyboard player, listening to rock music, Bon Jovi quickly became my favourite. It was my dream even then to be like Jon though at that time there were no such things as tribute bands. Fast forward to 1994 I was asked to perform as frontman with By Jovi and as they say the rest is now history. "

In 2006 Jon Bon Jovi asked the band to appear at an official fan club event during his induction into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Jon asked Tony during the evening if he could join the band on stage, to which Tony replied he would be honoured. Together they performed Who Says Ya can't Go Home to a sell-out crowd - an honour which no other tribute band in the world has ever received to this day.

Tony said: “It was a privilege and an honour to be asked to perform with such a legend as Jon Bon Jovi and my own personal idol. It still feels like yesterday. He was everything and more. A gentleman, friendly, inviting and a consummate rock star, he brought a lump to my throat. A legend."

Tony continued: “Amazing doesn't really cover it. I sat in the dressing room after the show and pinched myself and asking 'did that just really happen. Did we just perform with Jon Bon Jovi?

"It further enhanced our profile being the only tribute band to have done this and to be endorsed by my idol Jon Bon Jovi himself."

*The Bon Jovi Experience, Weymouth Pavilion, Friday, May 10, 7.30pm. Call the box office for tickets.