Washington, Feb 15 : Rocker Jon Bon Jovi has performed at a cancer charity fundraising concert in New York, as homage to his father who died of the disease last year.

The 45-year-old was joined by Bon Jovi bandmate Richie Sambora at the 'Stand Up For The Cure' event at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Feb 13, aimed specifically at helping those battling lung cancer.

"My father was a huge smoker. He used to suck down Lucky Strike unfiltereds (cigarettes) for years," Contactmusic quoted Jon Bon Jovi, as telling the reporters.

"He was a big greaser in the '50s. Watching him deteriorate was a horrible thing. When you get that call (that a loved one has cancer), you're baffled.

"You think, 'This can't be happening,' but if you walk into any room, nearly every person in there has been touched by cancer in some way," he added.

ANI