FOR Tony Pearce and the rest of the Bon Jovi Experience, it is all about putting on a performance that is as close as possible to the real thing.

The band, who come to King George’s Hall, Blackburn, on Saturday have been bringing the show of the American stadium rockers to life for the past 22 years.

“We have got to do it the best we can every time,” said Tony. “That is our job and we are still learning all the time.”

It helps when you look as much like lead singer Jon Bon Jovi as Tony does, but even that has caused him problems.

“I have been accused of having plastic surgery to look more like him,” he said, “but I can assure you that’s not the case. I’m just fortunate I suppose to look very much like him.”

So striking is Tony’s resemblance to the New Jersey singer that even the most dedicated fans are confused.

“I went to watch Bon Jovi at Old Trafford and nearly caused a riot,” he says matter-of-factly. “A friend of mine urged me on so I had the shades on and started talking in an American accent. Before we knew it there were crowds of people rushing up asking me to sign things and pose for pictures.

“In the end it needed Bon Jovi’s own security staff to rescue us.

“What incidents like that do show you is what these guys have to live with on a daily basis, it was crazy.”

Tony, who is a trained opera singer, started out as a fan of the band.

“I was into Sabbath and Iron Maiden when a girlfriend at the time showed me Bon Jovi’s Runaway video – I was hooked from then on.

Since then the Bon Jovi Experience has played hundreds of shows around the UK and Europe.

“As the years have gone by I’ve changed along with Jon Bon Jovi,” said Tony. “I’ve had the poodle perm and then the shorter, shaggier look.

”Now he’s actually grey but I haven’t gone that far yet. I don’t think many fans want to see the Richard Gere-look yet.”

At the heart of every show are classic songs such as You Give Love a Bad Name and Livin’ on a Prayer.

“There is a lot of material to go at,” said Tony, “but people who come to our shows tend to want the earlier stuff.

“When the band release any new material we tend to wait and see if we start getting asked for it. We have had experiences before when we have learned everything off a new album but it’s not what people want to hear live.”

Some people use the term tribute band in a derogatory manner but it doesn’t worry Tony unduly.

“When we started out there were covers bands,” he said. “We were one of the first to take that whole thing to another level and we’ve worked our tails off to make the shows as authentic as possible.

“I think the problem is that a lot of singers and bands just play in a pub and do the songs of one artist and call themselves a tribute without embracing the whole show.”

To portray one of the most charismatic frontmen in rock would be daunting to even the most accomplished performer.

“People go on about stage presence but it’s not something I think about,” said Tony. "It’s how I am on stage. Off stage I’m still me, I’m a pretty shy person. But I’m not there to do an impression, it’s part of the whole show experience.”

The Bon Jovi Experience. King George’s Hall, Blackburn, Saturday, October 17. Details from 0844 847 1664.