Jon Bon Jovi laments Sandy destruction of New Jersey shore: 'It's gone' It didn't take long for New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi to get on board with NBC's concert this evening to benefit victims of Sandy. He may have been in London when the call came, but the rocker -- who visited TODAY Friday to talk about his decision -- immediately got on a plane and flew home. After checking out parts of New Jersey where he grew up, Bon Jovi said the changes rocked him. It was hard to see your hometown devastated like this ... my grammar school turned into a shelter, people's homes gone and them saying to me, 'We are homeless, we never intended to be homeless.' These are hard-working, blue-collar people. But he has high hopes that rebuilding will happen thanks to "the collective 'we.'" As Americans, we all come together in these times of need and all feel we're all New Yorkers in these times of need.... People come together in this time. Bon Jovi has shot videos and part of his album artwork in areas that are now devastated, and remains stunned. It's gone. The entire Jersey shore that I knew is gone. Be sure to check out Bon Jovi, who will appear tonight alongside other performers including Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel on the "Hurricane Sandy Coming Together Benefit."