Billy Joel in 1998.

Bruce Springsteen in 2000.

Backstreet Boys in 2000.

And on Saturday night, Bon Jovi will be the newest addition to the list of acts that began their tours at the Bryce Jordan Center.

"We had a very successful track record with tours that started in our building," said Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing for the BJC.

Since Bon Jovi had been in the top 10 requested acts for the BJC off and on for the past three years, Punt said the decision to bring them in was "a no brainer."

The band's crew arrived at the arena on Sunday and has spent all week preparing for the tour's kickoff.

Tickets for the show sold out the week they went on sale.

"I didn't even know tickets were on sale before they sold out," said Patrick Chapman (senior-political science), adding that he "possibly" would have gone otherwise.

Kate Sandmeyer Swails (senior-environmental resource management) saw Bon Jovi at Hershey in the summer of 2001 and said that she did not think this show would sell out.

"They appeal to all different ages and they have some good, classic songs that everyone can sing along to," said Swails. "You know all their songs. Everyone plays them in all the bars. Every band covers their songs."

The band formed in 1983 and released their self-titled debut album the next year. But it wasn't until 1986's Slippery When Wet that the band reached multi-platinum success.

Doug Heverly, head clerk at Mike's Music, 226 W. College Ave., offered a possible reason why so many students are going to the concert.

"It's music they grew up with," said Heverly. "It'd be like our parents going to see Led Zeppelin."

Suzanne McFall (senior-management science and information systems) called her reason for going to the concert, "a childhood thing."

"When I was growing up my sisters and I always used to listen to them," McFall said.

The band is touring to support their newest album, Bounce, which was released in October.

"It did surprisingly well," said Ken Kubala, manager of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave. "Somehow they've managed to maintain an audience."

The album's first single, "Everyday," was nominated for a Grammy Award last month for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

Bounce came on the heels of 2000's Crush, which was Bon Jovi's first album in five years after solo projects from some of the band's members along with several acting roles by frontman Jon Bon Jovi.

According to Punt, only 27 percent of ticket sales were from Centre County.

"Whenever we have a weekend date, people are willing to drive longer distances," said Punt. "The town will be buzzing because we have so many people coming in from out of town. There will be a Bon Jovi buzz."

The show begins at 7:30 Saturday night with opening act the Goo Goo Dolls.