Multi-platinum emo rock stars My Chemical Romance brought their ongoing live celebration of “The Black Parade” to their home state of New Jersey last night, August 09th. The band headlined the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, and were honored onstage during the show by their hometown of Belleville, NJ. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham presenting the band with the keys to that township during their performance of “Welcome To The Black Parade“.
Taking to the stage after ‘interrupting’ the band, Melham addressed the audience as follows [transcribed by theprp.com]:
“I have a very special and long overdue presentation to make… For those of you won’t know Belleville has a very storied musical history, from Connie Francis to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, to a band you may have heard of: My Chemical Romance.
Belleville musicians have entertained millions worldwide. Their sound has shaped generations. Yet even in our storied history in Belleville; Revolutionary War soldiers, purple heart recipients, a Supreme Court Justice, various professional athletes. Never once in the history of Belleville that we ever handed out a key to the city. And that changes right now. It is my distinct honor to present My Chemical Romance with the keys to their hometown, Belleville, New Jersey. It’s long overdue. They deserve it, and Belleville couldn’t be prouder of them. Congratulations gentelmen.”
Keeping things in line with the fictional alternative universe the band have crafted, My Chemical Romance reciprocated in kind, presenting the mayor with gifts of wheat and fish from the land of ‘Draag.’ Fan-filmed footage of that exchange can be seen below.
Meanwhile, the second more informal half of the band’s set saw them pay homage to a fellow New Jerseyite, airing out their cover of Bon Jovi‘s diamond-certified 1986 hit single “Livin’ On A Prayer” for the first time. The group closed out their set with that rendition, which is featured below as well.
