THE BON JOVI TRIBUTE BAND THAT WAS FORCED TO CHANGE ITS NAME IS NOW DRAWING EVEN MORE ATTENTION—AS FANS RUSH TO WATCH THE PERFORMANCE THAT SPARKED THE UNEXPECTED LEGAL DISPUTE.

A BON Jovi tribute singer has been forced to change his name from One Jovi after a legal threat from the rockers’ lawyers.

Andy Hearn, 53, trademarked the jokey moniker after other performers tried to copy it.

Andy Hearn, dressed as rockstar "Mr One Jovi", holding a pint of beer, with his wife Sonnette.
Bon Jovi tribute singer, Andy Hearn, 53, pictured with his wife, has been forced to change his One Jovi name after a legal threat from the band’s lawyersCredit: SWNS

 

Bon Jovi performing on stage, playing a guitar.
80s hitmakers Bon Jovi are named after their lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, picturedCredit: Getty – Contributor

But he then got a cease-and-desist letter from the ’80s hitmakers, named after lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, saying the tag was too similar.

Engineering fitter Andy, of Rotherham, South Yorks, has been in the band for six years but was worried about the costs of tackling the Livin’ On A Prayer stars in court.

He said: “I was disappointed a multi-billion-pound company would be bothered about someone doing pubs and clubs for a few pennies.

“I said, ‘If you think I’m a threat, then thank you — it’s a compliment’.”

Andy Hearn of the Bon Jovi tribute band "One Jovi" performs on stage.
The band’s lawyers claimed the One Jovi tag was too similar to the originalCredit: SWNS

 

The tribute act "One Jovi" performing on stage, featuring a lead singer, two guitarists, and a drummer.
Andy insists it has not soured his love for the band, whose music he first discovered as a teenagerCredit: SWNS

Andy said they claimed a tribute band name had to be at least 20 per cent different.

He said the exchange took place around three years ago and was resolved after several emails.

Andy was allowed to keep rocking Bon Jovi classics with his band – and at solo shows – under the ‘One Jovi’ name.

But he now releases his own songs under the tweaked moniker ‘Mr One Jovi’.

Andy insists it has not soured his love for the band, whose music he first discovered as a teenager.

He said: “It didn’t affect the way I feel about them.

“I remember listening to them when I was 14 and just absolutely loving it.”

Andy is now stepping out of Jon Bon Jovi’s shadow and chasing chart success with original music of his own.

Bon Jovi have been contacted for comment.