Patrick Carney, the drummer of the popular band The Black Keys, once had the pleasure of meeting and talking to New Jersey rock legend Jon Bon Jovi.
But according to an interview with Carney on Vice News Tonight, the drummer quickly realized Bon Jovi didn't actually want to talk to him. He was simply trying to avoid Gov. Chris Christie while all three were in attendance at Howard Stern's birthday party.
With Christie in the room, Bon Jovi approached Carney and started a conversation "really intensely," said the drummer, apparently referring to a 2014 party celebrating Stern's 60th birthday.
"I was like. 'Why does Jon Bon Jovi want to talk to me? Then I realized it was just because he didn't want to talk to Chris Christie."
Sounds like the ultimate, er, runaway move by the rock star. But not so fast, says Gov. Christie's team. Christie and Bon Jovi did indeed attend the same birthday party for Stern, where Christie introduced a performance by the rocker.
Gov. Chris Christie introducing Jon Bon Jovi #Howard pic.twitter.com/JQn1ikgtff
-- Stern Show (@sternshow) January 31, 2014
But, according to Page Six, a Christie spokesperson says that Christie and Bon Jovi remain "dear, dear friends" and that "the story is completely ridiculous."
Photos of Bon Jovi and Christie appearing together and smiling were widely circulated at the time.
Bon Jovi helped Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton campaign in the Garden State last summer, but he also supported Christie's unsucessful presidential bid by giving $5,400 to support his campaign and gave Christie permission to use his music on the campaign trail.
Bon Jovi's reps have yet to comment on the Vice interview, which can be viewed below.
Joe Atmonavage may be reached at jatmonavage@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @jatmonavageNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook