Bon Jovi Blasts Online Concert Scalpers

LATEST: Rocker JON BON JOVI is furious tickets for his band's free concert in New York this weekend (12-13Jul08) are being sold for huge profit on the internet.

The 60,000 tickets for the gig in Central Park were handed out to fans at no cost, but thousands have made their way onto online auction sites - selling for up to $1,000 (GBP500).

And the singer is fuming about the city's lack of response, after mayor Michael Bloomberg refused to enforce strict guidelines prohibiting third party sales on Wednesday (09Jul08).

Bon Jovi writes on the band's website: "We have always had the best interest of the fans at heart, and repeatedly... tried to educate (sponsor) MLB (Major League Baseball) and New York City about the fairest and easiest distribution of tickets.

"As I said before, 'No good deed goes unpunished.' There are reports in the media about tickets being scalped for... the free concert. I for one am not surprised, but our organisation is sorely disappointed."

The posting was subsequently removed within hours without explanation.

A spokesperson for Bon Jovi has denounced the ticket-sellers as "lowlifes", adding: "It's a bad enough thing to suck money out of paid concerts. It takes unmitigated chutzpah to scalp free tickets."