Keanu Reeves recalls one of the most memorable moments of his music career.
The actor and musician recently shared his impressions of performing with his alternative rock band Dogstar as the opening act for Bon Jovi in the mid-1990s. More than three decades later, Reeves admitted he was overwhelmed by the opportunity.
«"When we opened for Bon Jovi at The Forum, it was just incredible," Reeves recalled, as reported by Loudwire .
This incident occurred during Dogstar's rise to fame in the 1990s, when the band was cementing its reputation in the Los Angeles music scene. Although Reeves was already becoming a major Hollywood star after films such as «"Speed"» , he remained true to his role as Dogstar's bassist.
Keanu Reeves attends the Apple TV press day at Barker Hangar on February 3, 2026, in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Axel/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
«"Then I felt like everything was okay. It was fun. It was fun," Reeves added.
Dogstar opened for Bon Jovi on some dates of the tour. These Days 1995, including performances at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. The band included Reeves on bass, Bret Domrose on vocals and guitar, and Robert Mailhouse on drums.
While many 1990s bands were influenced by the burgeoning Seattle grunge movement and the West Coast alternative rock scenes, Dogstar never felt entirely connected to these trends.
«"We had nothing to do with it at all," Reeves said, discussing the Los Angeles music scene of the era.
His bandmates agreed with this assessment.
«"I think we felt it, but as Keanu said, we weren't part of that process," Mailhouse explained.
«"But we felt it, and it was a great time to be alive, and a great time to be in L.A. at that time. It was exciting because it was a whole new nail in the coffin of a certain genre and a rebirth of another. Everything felt exciting.".
For Dogstar, this period was less about fitting into a particular movement than about forging their own identity. The band spent years performing in clubs, bars, and small venues, while simultaneously learning the music business.
These thoughts come as Dogstar enters a new phase in its history.
The trio recently announced the release of their latest studio album. All In Now , which was released on May 29th on their independent label Dillon Street Records. This project is a continuation of the album Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees , released in 2023 as part of the band's reunion and marking their return after more than twenty years of hiatus from recording and touring.
In support of the new album, Dogstar plans to tour North America, Europe and the UK in 2026.
Meanwhile, Bon Jovi continues to perform. The legendary rock band, led by Jon Bon Jovi, continues to perform decades after becoming one of the world's best-selling rock bands. Known for hits like "Livin' on a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," and "Always," the band has sold over 130 million records worldwide.
However, for Reeves, one memory remains particularly vivid. Recalling Dogstar's performance as the opening act for Bon Jovi in front of thousands of fans, his reaction remains as sincere as it was in 1995.
On the topic: Keanu Reeves spoke out about the Netflix fraud case against the director of "47 Ronin" and asked for "leniency and clemency.".
This article was originally published by Parade on May 30, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.