Bon Jovi bundling music with concert tickets

In an innovative merchandising move, Bon Jovi will include a digital iTunes copy of their forthcoming album, Lost Highway, with presale tickets purchased for their October 25th performance at the new Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. According to Billboard, the package is available to American Express cardholders from June 12th through June 14th, and to the general public from June 15th through June 22nd. Tickets without the music will be available starting June 23rd.

The package will cost $9.99 more than sole ticket purchases, and all album sales resulting from this plan will be included in SoundScan's count towards Billboard chart positions. Conversely, those who have already pre-ordered the album from BonJovi.com or iTunes will receive a unique passcode that will allow them purchase the ticket for $9.99 less, without the addition of the digital album download.

Prince ran a similar promotion a few years ago, which included an actual physical album to be picked up at the venue as part of the price, this marks the first ever "all-in" presale that bundles a ticket and a digital album as a single transaction sold via Ticketmaster.com, according to Billboard.

The Prudential Center is managed by Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and booked by its live entertainment division, AEG Live. Debra Rathwell, who heads up their New York/New Jersey office, said of the Bon Jovi kick-off for the venue, "That's how this came about: Bon Jovi, hometown boys, opening this brand new, absolutely gorgeous arena."

Bon Jovi's booking is open-ended, with a strong likelihood that at least five dates will be necessary to satisfy demand.

Guitarist Richie Sambora has just entered a rehab facility for undisclosed reasons. He provides the harmonies on the band's current hit, "(You Want To) Make A Memory."
Lost Highway hits stores on June 19th.
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