Its 30-year history is coming to a close this year and the Bradley Center is closing it out with one of its first acts.
The arena announced Bon Jovi would be playing what's expected to be the last concert at the arena on April 29th or 30th.
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"We're really excited," said Paul Jansen, Vice President of the BMO Harris Bradley Center . "He was our last concert in our first season. He played in April of 1989 and he's likely to be our last concert in our last season."
Jansen says "likely" because there are openings for acts for the entire month of May. However, the Bucks could be making a deep playoff run so many of the acts need to agree to two potential days for a concert since it may be occupied by the game. Bon Jovi was the only one who could agree to it.
"It's going to be a great last few months and we're excited to close the building in style and bring down the house with Bon Jovi," Jansen said.
The New Jersey rock group will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just a few days before the concert. They've made their name felt during the last 30 years in Milwaukee. The concert will mark their sixth in the arena, second only to Bruce Springsteen's eight shows.
It will be a perfect way to end three decades of fun.
"The building has been a special place," Jansen said. "We're excited for the future but we also want to celebrate what this building has meant over the last 30 years."
There are also a number of signed collectibles from acts over the years. Those and other items in the arena will go up for auction at some point, including a guitar signed after Bon Jovi's show in 2003.
While Jansen has mixed emotions about the arena closing, he knows Bon Jovi is the best way to shut it down.
"He covers the gamut," Jansen said. "His fans, he has young fans, old fans. He's been around and has a great repertoire of music that's recognizable by everybody and every age."
