Bon Jovi, formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, is a renowned American rock band known for their ability to blend heavy metal, rock, and pop music seamlessly. The band's lineup has seen changes over the years, with its current members being Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Phil X, and Hugh McDonald. Founding members Alec John Such and Richie Sambora departed in 1994 and 2013, respectively.
At the young age of 13, Jon Bon Jovi, then known as John Bongiovi, began his musical journey in 1975, performing live with his band Raze, showcasing his talent on piano and guitar.
In 1980, still in his teens, Jon Bon Jovi formed the band 'The Rest,' and made a name for themselves opening for established New Jersey acts like Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
In 1981, Jon Bon Jovi created an early recording of "Runaway," laying the groundwork for the song's future success.
Before Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Alec John Such played together in a band called Message, whose album, "Lessons," recorded in 1982, was never officially released.
In 1982, Jon Bon Jovi decided to re-record "Runaway," enlisting local studio musicians to enhance the track.
In 1982, Jon Bon Jovi took a job at the Power Station Studios and began making demos. He also landed his first professional recording as a vocalist for the Christmas album, "Christmas in the Stars."
In March of 1983, Jon Bon Jovi, along with David Bryan, Alec John Such and Tico Torres came together, forming the core of the band.
Jon Bon Jovi's demo of "Runaway" found its way to WAPP radio station in 1983 and received airplay, marking a turning point in his career.
The iconic rock band, Bon Jovi, was formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983.
On January 21, 1984, Bon Jovi marked their official entrance into the music industry with the release of their self-titled debut album.
As "Runaway" gained popularity, Bon Jovi appeared on WOR-TV's local music video show "Rock 9 Videos" in 1984, further boosting their exposure.
Bon Jovi released their self-titled debut album in 1984, with the single "Runaway" breaking into the Billboard Hot 100's Top 40.
The year 1984 marked the release of Bon Jovi's debut album, a milestone celebrated two decades later with a commemorative box set.
In May 1985, Bon Jovi headlined venues in Japan and Europe as part of a tour promoting their second album, 7800° Fahrenheit. This tour marked their return to the road and included performances at the Texas Jam, Castle Donington's Monsters of Rock, and the first Farm Aid concert.
"Bounce" marked the first time since their 1985 album, "7800° Fahrenheit," that a Bon Jovi record sold less than six million copies.
In August 1986, following the release of Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi began as the support act for 38 Special. This tour was a prelude to their later headline dates in arenas across America.
On August 16, 1986, Bon Jovi released their third album, Slippery When Wet. The album spent eight weeks atop the Billboard 200, with singles "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer" both hitting number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bon Jovi's third album, "Slippery When Wet," released in 1986, catapulted the band to international fame, selling over 20 million copies and featuring hit singles like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name."
In August 1987, Bon Jovi headlined England's Monsters of Rock festival. During their set, they were joined by Dee Snider, Bruce Dickinson, and Paul Stanley to perform "We're an American Band."
In September 1988, Bon Jovi released their fourth album, New Jersey. The album topped charts in multiple countries and produced five Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including two number-one singles.
Building on their previous success, Bon Jovi released their fourth album, "New Jersey," in 1988, which mirrored the success of "Slippery When Wet" with over 10 million copies sold.
On June 11, 1989, Bon Jovi performed a sold-out homecoming concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey. This event was part of their extensive worldwide tour supporting the album New Jersey.
In August 1989, Bon Jovi performed at the Moscow Music Peace Festival. They were the first band officially sanctioned by the Soviet government to perform in the Soviet Union, marking a significant moment in music history.
Throughout 1990, Bon Jovi continued their massive worldwide tour supporting the album New Jersey, performing over 232 shows in more than 22 countries.
Following a period of intense touring and recording, Jon Bon Jovi launched his solo career with the release of his debut album in 1990.
During a break from Bon Jovi, Jon Bon Jovi recorded and released his debut solo album, "Blaze of Glory." The album served as the soundtrack to the film "Young Guns II" and featured collaborations with notable musicians like Jeff Beck, Elton John, and Little Richard. The title track reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
In October 1991, Bon Jovi went to St. Thomas in the Caribbean to discuss their future. The band resolved their internal issues by allowing each member to speak openly, leading to a renewed commitment to their music.
In 1991, the members of Bon Jovi engaged in individual projects: Richie Sambora released his solo album "Stranger in This Town," David Bryan composed music for the horror film "The Netherworld," and Alec John Such faced a setback due to a motorcycle accident that injured his hand, leading him to adapt his bass-playing technique.
Jon Bon Jovi's song "Blaze of Glory" earned him significant accolades in 1991, including the Favorite Pop/Rock Single award at the American Music Awards, a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award nomination, and a Grammy nomination.
Richie Sambora followed in Jon Bon Jovi's footsteps and released his debut solo album in 1991.
In January 1992, Bon Jovi began recording their fifth album at Vancouver's Little Mountain studios with producer Bob Rock. This marked a new phase in their career following the resolution of internal band issues.
In November 1992, Bon Jovi released their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith. This album marked a shift in the band's sound and image, introducing more mature themes and serious lyrics.
Bon Jovi marked their return to the music scene in 1992 with the release of their double-platinum album, "Keep the Faith."
In 1993, Bon Jovi embarked on the Keep the Faith Tour, performing 177 shows in 37 countries and reaching 2.5 million fans. This tour supported their fifth studio album, Keep the Faith.
In October 1994, Bon Jovi released their greatest hits album, Cross Road. The album featured two new tracks, including "Always," which became their highest selling single.
Bon Jovi released "Always," their biggest-selling and longest-charting single, in 1994.
In 1994, bassist Alec John Such made the difficult decision to depart from Bon Jovi.
In June 1995, Bon Jovi released their sixth studio album, These Days, which debuted at number one in the UK and topped charts in multiple countries. The band also embarked on the These Days Tour, which included three sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium.
Bon Jovi's 1995 album "These Days" found more success in Europe than in the United States, producing four Top Ten singles in the UK.
Jon Bon Jovi ventured into acting, taking on lead roles in several movies in 1997. During breaks in filming, he wrote and released his second solo album, "Destination Anywhere." A short film with the same name, based on the album's songs, was also released, featuring Jon Bon Jovi alongside actors Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, and Whoopi Goldberg.
In 1998, Richie Sambora released his second solo album, "Undiscovered Soul," while Tico Torres dedicated his time to painting and David Bryan focused on composing musicals.
In 1999, Bon Jovi reunited to record the song "Real Life" for the movie EdTV. During this time, David Bryan was recovering from an accident that nearly severed his finger.
In June 2000, Bon Jovi marked their return with their seventh studio album, "Crush," following a four-year break.
Bon Jovi bid farewell to London's Wembley Stadium with two sold-out shows in 2000, the last before its demolition.
The release of "Crush" in 2000, and its lead single "It's My Life," resonated with a younger audience, marking a successful comeback for the band.
The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks had a profound impact on Bon Jovi, influencing their eighth studio album, "Bounce."
On October 21, 2001, Bon Jovi participated in the Concert For New York at Madison Square Garden, a benefit event to support those impacted by the September 11th attacks.
Bon Jovi released their debut live album, "One Wild Night Live 1985–2001," and performed sold-out homecoming shows at New Jersey's Giants Stadium in 2001.
Bon Jovi released their eighth studio album, "Bounce," on October 8, 2002.
Bon Jovi continued their musical journey with the release of "Bounce" in 2002.
August 2003 saw the conclusion of Bon Jovi's Bounce Tour, prompting the band to explore a new project: an acoustic album.
In November 2003, Bon Jovi released "This Left Feels Right," an album featuring reworked and reimagined versions of their classic songs.
In November 2004, Bon Jovi received the Award for Merit at the American Music Awards and released "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong," a box set commemorating their two-decade career.
Bon Jovi was honored with the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004, recognizing their significant contributions to the music industry.
September 2005 marked the release of Bon Jovi's ninth studio album, "Have a Nice Day."
After releasing "Have A Nice Day," the band embarked on their 2005–2006 Have A Nice Day Tour.
Bon Jovi's album "Have a Nice Day," released in 2005, saw the band experiment with country music elements.
Bon Jovi celebrated their induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame alongside James Brown and Led Zeppelin on November 14, 2006.
Bon Jovi achieved a milestone in 2006 when their single "Who Says You Can't Go Home" topped the country charts and earned them a Grammy Award.
Early 2006 saw the release of "Who Says You Can't Go Home," a single from "Have a Nice Day." The song achieved significant success, even topping Billboard's Country Chart with a duet version featuring Jennifer Nettles.
Following the success of the country rendition of their 2006 single "Who Says You Can't Go Home," Bon Jovi incorporated country elements into their album "Lost Highway."
In recognition of their contribution to music, Bon Jovi was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles secured a Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" on February 11, 2007, for their collaboration on "Who Says You Can't Go Home."
Bon Jovi's tenth studio album, "Lost Highway," hit the music scene in June 2007.
Bon Jovi made history on June 24, 2007, as the inaugural act to grace the stage of London's newly unveiled O2 Arena.
In October 2007, Bon Jovi announced their Lost Highway Tour, set to support their latest album.
The Lost Highway Tour commenced on November 14, 2007, marking another chapter in Bon Jovi's touring journey.
Continuing their exploration of country music, Bon Jovi released "Lost Highway" in 2007.
"Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore," a collaboration with LeAnn Rimes from the album "Lost Highway," earned Bon Jovi a CMT Music Award for Collaborative Video of the Year in 2008.
Bon Jovi wrapped up their highly successful "Lost Highway Tour" in 2008.
The Lost Highway Tour concluded in 2008, emerging as the highest-grossing tour of the year.
In April 2009, Phil Griffin's documentary on the band, "When We Were Beautiful", debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film chronicled Bon Jovi's ups and downs over 25 years and followed the band on their latest Lost Highway tour.
In June 2009, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. That month they also recorded a cover of the song "Stand By Me" with Iranian singer Andy Madadian to show solidarity for those affected by political unrest in Iran. Parts of the song were sung in Persian.
On November 10, 2009, Bon Jovi released their eleventh studio album titled "The Circle". The album marked a return to rock n' roll after their Nashville-influenced album "Lost Highway". It debuted at number one in the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan.
Bon Jovi went back to their rock roots with the release of their album "The Circle" in 2009.
Both Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were recognized for their songwriting talents in 2009 when they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On February 19, 2010, Bon Jovi embarked on The Circle Tour to support their album "The Circle". The tour was the highest-grossing concert tour of 2010 and included a historic performance as the first ever show at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In October 2010, Bon Jovi released a Greatest Hits album with four new songs. The album debuted at number one in several countries. At the 2010 MTV Europe Music Awards, Bon Jovi received the Global Icon Award.
At the conclusion of 2011, Bon Jovi's The Circle Tour was ranked second on Billboard's annual 'Top 25 Tour', earning more than $790 million.
In 2011, session guitarist Phil X previously replaced Richie Sambora for several dates during the band's tour.
In January 2012, Jon Bon Jovi announced that the band was working on their twelfth studio album, which would later be released as "What About Now".
David Bryan made a performance at Fantiscritti, Carrara on May 26, 2012.
In a live show in August 2012, Jon Bon Jovi played an acoustic version of a song that was announced to be on the upcoming album "What About Now".
While working on their album "What About Now," the members of Bon Jovi pursued individual ventures. Jon Bon Jovi returned to film composing with two songs for the Al Pacino movie "Stand Up Guys." Richie Sambora released his third solo album, "Aftermath of the Lowdown," and embarked on a world tour. Tico Torres focused on professional golfing, and David Bryan made a brief performance at Fantiscritti, Carrara in May 2012.
On November 27, 2012, Bon Jovi released a new live video album called "Inside Out". The album featured content from shows at the O2 Arena, MetLife Stadium, and Madison Square Garden. It was first shown in movie theaters with a Q&A session streamed live from New York, and then made available for purchase on iTunes.
On March 14, 2013, Bon Jovi appeared on the results show of American Idol and performed the song "Because We Can" from their album "What About Now".
On April 2, 2013, Richie Sambora departed the band's ongoing tour for unspecified "personal reasons". Session guitarist Phil X filled in for the remainder of the tour amidst rumors that Sambora had been fired. Both Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi later denied the claim.
After many successful years with Bon Jovi, guitarist and co-songwriter Richie Sambora left the band in 2013.
Bon Jovi released "Because We Can" in 2013, shortly before Richie Sambora's departure from the band.
In November 2014, Jon Bon Jovi confirmed that Richie Sambora had officially left the band and revealed that he was finishing writing songs for the band's next studio album, their first without Sambora. Touring guitarist Phil X was unofficially replaced by Sambora.
In 2014, to celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, Bon Jovi reissued their album "New Jersey" with an additional CD featuring the Sons of Beaches demos.
On July 17, 2015, "Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning" premiered at the Austrian Radio Ö3 Hitradio.
On July 20, 2015, "We Don't Run" premiered at the Brazilian radio Radio Rock.
On July 31, 2015, Bon Jovi released twin lead singles "We Don't Run" and "Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning" for the compilation album "Burning Bridges".
On August 21, 2015, Bon Jovi released the compilation album "Burning Bridges", which Jon Bon Jovi described as a "fan record" to tie in with an international tour.
On September 30, 2015, Jon Bon Jovi announced during a press conference that the title of their upcoming album would be "This House Is Not for Sale". He emphasized that the record was about the band's integrity.
Bon Jovi released "Burning Bridges" in 2015, marking their first studio album without Richie Sambora.
On August 12, 2016, Bon Jovi released the lead single "This House Is Not for Sale", which also featured the promotion of unofficial members Hugh McDonald and Phil X to full-time band members.
On November 4, 2016, Bon Jovi officially released their 13th studio album "This House Is Not for Sale", which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
In November 2016, Island Records and Universal Music Enterprises released Bon Jovi's studio albums in remastered versions on vinyl, spanning their 32-year career.
On December 16, 2016, Bon Jovi released their third live album "This House Is Not for Sale – Live from the London Palladium".
A Bon Jovi consultant confirmed that a new studio album was planned to be released in 2016 followed by a world tour.
Bon Jovi released "This House Is Not For Sale" in 2016.
On February 10, 2017, a 25-LP box set titled "Bon Jovi: The Albums" was released, featuring all of Bon Jovi's studio albums, two Jon Bon Jovi solo albums, and an exclusive "Extras" album.
On December 13, 2017, Bon Jovi was announced to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, after receiving over 1.1 million votes in the fan ballot. Jon Bon Jovi invited former members Sambora and Such to perform with the band at the ceremony.
Bon Jovi embarked on their world tour in support of their album "This House Is Not For Sale" in 2017.
In February 2018, it was confirmed that former members Sambora and Such would reunite with Bon Jovi for their performance at the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
On April 29, 2018, Bon Jovi played their last ticketed show at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the venue prepared for demolition in the summer of 2018.
Bon Jovi received one of the highest honors in the music industry in 2018 when they were inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On March 9, 2019, Jon Bon Jovi shared on social media that Bon Jovi had started recording their fifteenth studio album, with an expected release in early 2020.
In August 2019, Jon Bon Jovi announced the title of their upcoming album, "2020," and the accompanying tour, "Bon Jovi 2020 Tour."
Bon Jovi concluded their "This House Is Not For Sale" tour in 2019.
On April 20, 2020, the "Bon Jovi 2020 Tour" was officially canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The release of "2020" and the start of the "Bon Jovi 2020 Tour" were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was originally scheduled for May 15, 2020.
In 2020, Bon Jovi released their album "2020," featuring songs inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and protests following George Floyd's death.
On January 7, 2022, Bon Jovi revealed an upcoming tour set for April. This announcement was met with discussion on social media and among critics regarding the quality of Jon Bon Jovi's recent vocal performances, with many expressing disappointment.
On June 5, 2022, Bon Jovi announced the passing of founding member and former bassist Alec John Such. The cause of death was later revealed to be a heart attack.
After a delay due to the pandemic, Bon Jovi finally commenced their tour in support of their album "2020" in 2022.
During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a video went viral showing residents of Odesa, Ukraine, preparing for a potential attack while a drummer played Bon Jovi's hit song "It's My Life." Bon Jovi showed their support by sharing the video and captioning it with a message of solidarity for the Ukrainian people.
In February 2023, former guitarist Richie Sambora revealed he was in talks about a possible return to Bon Jovi. He expressed openness to the idea and acknowledged the band's unique legacy and the desire to perform for their fans again.
Guitarist Phil X revealed in an October 2023 interview that the band was heading to Nashville to record their sixteenth studio album.
On November 17, 2023, Bon Jovi released "Christmas Isn't Christmas," a holiday-themed single. This marked their first new music since their 2020 album and served as a prelude to their upcoming 2024 album.
Bon Jovi released "Legendary" on March 14, 2024, as the lead single from their upcoming sixteenth studio album, "Forever."
Bon Jovi's sixteenth studio album, "Forever," is set for release on June 7, 2024.