andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Rock-and-roller Bon Jovi’s latest undertaking won’t be a new CD. Instead, the singer announced on Thursday that he has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to restore 15 decaying homes in Philadelphia. And he’s got former President Bill Clinton backing him too.

Clinton stood by Bon Jovi when he announced the Phase V Homeownership Project in Philadelphia. Bon Jovi told the Associated Press that Clinton “was intrigued enough that he offered his services, and said, ‘If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate.’” Also involved with the project are the Saturn automobile company and a local charity.

Bon Jovi, a native of New Jersey, is highly involved in the city of Philadelphia – he is co-owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.

The rock star was presented with the City of Brotherly Love Award by Mayor John F. Street on Thursday at the National Constitution Center. The presentation was made after the Liberty Medal ceremony, which honoured former presidents George H.W. Bush and Clinton.

“We are all, in fact, connected,” Bon Jovi said. “We can make a difference.”

Bon Jovi is the first rock band to make it to the top of a country music chart.

“Who Says You Can’t Go Home”, a duet with Jennifer Nettles, lead singer of country band Sugarland, has also won a Country Music Television award.

The track from Bon Jovi’s album Have A Nice Day was inspired by the group’s work with US homeless charity Habitat.

Members of Bon Jovi had a bit of a rough landing in Canada early Saturday. The Boeing 707 carrying the rockers and its touring staff skidded off the runway at Hamilton International Airport, due to severe weather.

The plane overshot the runway but none of its 14 passengers nor flight crew were injured. A spokeswoman said the flight was coming in from Buffalo, N.Y., where the band played a show on Friday night at HSBC Arena.

Bon Jovi was enroute to Toronto for concerts scheduled at the Air Canada Centre that Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. The shows are expected to proceed as planned.