Bon Jovi Planning New Studio Album, Box Set

Rock veterans Bon Jovi are still touring behind last year's "Crush" (Island) album and the brand new concert set "One Wild Night Live 1985-2001," but frontman Jon Bon Jovi tells Billboard the group is already eyeing its next round of projects.

Following the next studio album, due in 2002, Bon Jovi says, fans can expect a boxed set in 2003, released in conjunction with the band's 20th anniversary.

"We're looking to go into the studio in January. I've already started writing a little bit," he says. "Right now, I don't have anything to say as a solo artist. I know what I want to say as a band voice."

Bon Jovi says the band had long been reticent to release a live album, but came around to the idea after the rush of younger fans they saw responding to "Crush," which has sold 7 million copies worldwide, according to the label. "The hardcore fans have wanted a live album for years, but, also, a new generation of fans who just started with the band with 'Crush' needed an education," he notes. "They needed to know that we had nine other albums."

The group's summer tour in support of "Crush" concludes with sold-out shows July 27-28 in the band's backyard, New Jersey's Giants Stadium. "We could have added a third night, but you gotta leave them wanting more. We sold them out, we proved our point. It's really a wonderful feeling. We're very pleased. That's why the trucks stop in New Jersey. I'm not going any further. I'm close enough to hitch a ride home."