Behind every successful singer or musician is a manager who consistently works to make sure their client’s career continues to grab the spotlight. For Doc McGhee, the 1980s were a time of historic performers. At the time, he represented icons like Motley Crue, Scorpions, Skid Row, and Jon Bon Jovi. While enjoying the success that seemed to follow him, McGhee found himself on the wrong side of the law in 1982. And according to Bon Jovi, he had to perform at the 1989 Moscow Music Peace Festival in order to keep the manager out of jail.
While speaking with Conan O’Brien about the incident, Bon Jovi explained how law enforcement caught McGhee trying to smuggle a great deal of marijuana into the country. With the manager looking at 30 years in prison for his crimes, apparently, he had an idea of keeping himself out of prison. “To keep him out of jail, I had to go to the Soviet Union,” the singer explained. “Somehow his plea bargain was to take the young, cute kid and throw him to the wolves and the judge. And then he says, ‘And I’ve got an idea: We’ll go to the Soviet Union and promote peace and harmony. And please, your honor, don’t put me in prison.’”
Videos by American Songwriter
Doc McGhee Claims Jon Bon Jovi Performed To Help Fight Drugs
Appearing on The Rock Experience with Mike Brunn, McGhee decided to clear the air and offer his side of the story. While denying the claims presented by Bon Jovi, the manager said, “The real truth of the matter is it had nothing to do with it. Period.” Noting that his legal troubles happened years before the Moscow concert, the manager also pointed to how ludicrous the entire story sounded. “What judge in this world would say, ‘OK, I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna let you off, you just have to do the first show in the history of the Soviet Union.’ Nobody’s going to say that.”
While not looking to keep himself out of jail, McGhee suggested the Moscow Peace Music Festival focused on keeping children off drugs and supporting his non-profit Make a Difference foundation. “Before that show, I had Motley Crue, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, we had everybody in rehab. I was very into keeping people, trying to get them to understand where they fit in life without drugs and alcohol. So this was one of the ways, with the Make a Difference foundation, that I could bring doctors from the West to Russia to teach them how to treat drug and alcohol abuse.”
(Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Most Viewed
-
FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 09: Rory Feek(L) and daughter Indiana Feek attend a special screening and reception for "Patsy & Loretta" presented by Lifetime at the Franklin Theatre on October 09, 2019 in Franklin, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Lifetime) -
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden performs at London Stadium on June 28, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Redferns) -
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – MAY 02: Vince Gill of Eagles performs during the 55th Annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on May 02, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage) -
Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic -
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 23: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Morgan Wallen performs onstage during the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio) -
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images -
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic -
JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE! "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" airs every weeknight at 11:35 p.m. ET and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band. The guests for Monday, May 4 included Jelly Roll ("Beautifully Broken Comedy Night: Hosted by Jelly Roll") and Nicole Byer ("Netflix Is a Joke Fest"). (Disney/Randy Holmes)JELLY ROLL, JIMMY KIMMEL (Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney via Getty Images)