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LL: May I start with an apology to you for saying in print that you play bass guitar, not lead? And let me tell you, I have paid my penance. At least 100 - maybe more - of your fans e-mailed and called me to tell me what an idiot I am.
RS: Really? That's funny.

LL: I spent an hour and a half e-mailing them back, telling them you had agreed to be kind enough to let me interview you. You're so sweet to be a good sport.
RS: Hey, no problem.

LL: So you're working on a new album?
RS: Yeah, a new Bon Jovi album. It's a big thing for us because we haven't made a record since 1996.

LL: It's been that long?
RS: Yeah. We did two back to back and we did a huge tour. Forty-two countries, 72 sold-out stadiums. Between writing, recording and touring, it was two years. And of course Jon and I like to do our solo albums. And Jon's acting a bit now. I took some time out to be with my baby ... to be a dad, which I love. Best thing in the world.

LL: Do you find that now that you're a dad what you want to write about is any different than before?
RS: No. In the band sense, this is gonna be a good-time rock 'n' roll record. That's what we're trying to make it, so people can be entertained and have a good time at a rock 'n' roll show. The reason that we've made it through the ages, I think, is because the basis of our business is good songs, songs that touch people. I think that's very important. We write songs that make people reminisce or mirror the stuff that's happening in their life. I think that's what we do well. Of course, the other thing is putting on a great live show, which is something we've perfected after 17 years.

LL: Who, or what kind of music, do you like to listen to?
RS: I'm the person who tries to find the good in any piece of art that's being put out, whether it's Limp Bizkit or Frank Sinatra. I try to like as much as I can. I listen to all different kinds of music. I'm a blues aficionado and old R&B stuff, anything to do with the Beatles, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.

LL: You were born in New Jersey. Does it feel good that you're back to the East Coast now?
RS: My wife, when she was about to do Spin City, said, "Would you mind moving back to the East Coast?" I think she was very surprised when I said no. My business is a transient one. I can make music anywhere. It's important for me to be by my family and support my wife.

LL: Is this permanent? Or are you bi-coastal?
RS: Frankly, I dig California, too. We're not giving it up. New York is better than it ever was, for me. But my wife's a California girl at heart.

LL: I know she was born and raised there. She looks the part of the California girl, doesn't she?
RS: Totally.

LL: How about your little girl? Does she look like her mom?
RS: Yeah, thank God, she looks like her mom. I don't think there's anything better than experiencing your children growing up. I just love being a dad. I don't think there's anything like it. What else is better? Just look in those eyes and see that smile. It's a very, very special privilege to watch my daughter grow up.

LL: Some people say parents start sounding all sappy about their kids.
RS: We all do. It's one of those things. You can't help it. I mean, you try not to but it doesn't work.

LL: But we do make compromises for and because of our kids. Has the baby had an impact on you and Heather and the choices you've made?
RS: I think the impact is just how full your life gets. You've never known that kind of love before and obviously you have to make room for that in your life. That's the impact it's had on me. You'd have to ask my wife the impact it's had on her, but I think it's the same thing.

LL: You sound like a guy who's very savvy about the business. Do you see yourself always staying in the band?
RS: Certainly, I aspire to be a producer and do solo albums, write songs for other artists and stuff. And Jon and I have both had our own record companies.

LL: But if you look 10 years down the road, is there a picture there? Or is it a little fuzzy?
RS: It's a little fuzzy, but I think I never can get away from music - and being a performer and being a writer and just being involved in the making of music. Besides my wife and my child, it's the biggest joy I have. I'm suited for it. I think that's what I'm put here to do.

LL: When did you know that?
RS: I knew it when I was a kid. I could always play instruments; it came very easy to me. My ear for music was very astute. It was a language I knew at a very early age. I could pick up a little guitar and play it. I could pick up a trumpet from the supermarket and play it.