Bon Jovi At The Rock

New Jersey-based Bon Jovi will be the first act to rock "The Rock," the state’s newest arena.

Jon Bon Jovi, a Sayreville native, and the band made an appearance on television’s "American Idol" May 2nd. While he didn’t mention the Prudential Center by name, Bon Jovi said the group would do "10 nights at our local arena in New Jersey," the Newark-based Star-Ledger reported.

The Newark dates are expected to open a new tour for the band.

The concerts will start October 26th, said Pat Smith, a spokesman for AEG New York/New Jersey, which is booking concerts and special events for the arena.

He said the number of shows has not been determined.

The $365-million arena, which will be home to the New Jersey Devils of the NHL, is under construction in downtown Newark. It can seat 19,500 for concerts.

The facility gets its name from Prudential Financial Inc., the Newark-based financial services and insurance giant whose symbol is the Rock of Gibraltar.

Tickets for Bon Jovi go on sale in mid-June.

The band may be gunning for a record set by another famed New Jersey act.

In 2003, Bruce Springsteen sold out seven homecoming shows at Giants Stadium in a single day.

Ticket demand for three announced shows on July 15th, 17th and 18th was so extraordinary that two more dates were added for July 21st and 24th. When the press for tickets continued, two more shows – July 26-27 – were immediately added.