Jon Bon Jovi, a world-famous rock star, recently revealed his strong admiration for Philadelphia native Benjamin Franklin, writes Lane Florsheim for The Wall Street Journal.

He recently sat down for an interview where he answered several questions, including what he has been reading lately.

“I’m reading a Ben Franklin biography for the second time,” said the musician. “I have some kind of spiritual connection to Ben Franklin. I don’t know how, I don’t know why, but my admiration for him is so deep. Without him, I don’t know if this [American] experiment would be what it is today.”

Bon Jovi has been an admirer of the founding father for a long time. He owns the painting that is featured on the $100 bill and was one of the contributors to refurbishing Franklin’s gravestone.

“I know far too much about this man,” said the singer. “I’ve been to where he lived in England, for God’s sake. I’ve been all through Philadelphia, of course.”

Bon Jovi noted that while he was not the president, Franklin’s influence was huge.

“He just astounds me with everything that he thought of and did and imagined,” he said. “For some reason, I’m crazy about Ben Franklin.”

Read more about Jon Bon Jovi and his life at The Wall Street Journal.

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