History of Jon Bon Jovi in Timeline
Jon Bon Jovi is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor, best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi. Formed in 1983, the band has released 16 studio albums. Bon Jovi has also released two solo albums, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
1930: Birth of John Francis Bongiovi Sr.
In 1930, John Francis Bongiovi Sr., Jon Bon Jovi's father, was born. He worked as a barber and was a former Marine.
1940: Birth of Carol Sharkey
In 1940, Carol Sharkey, Jon Bon Jovi's mother, was born. She was a florist, a former Marine, and a Playboy Bunny.
March 2, 1962: Jon Bon Jovi's Birth
On March 2, 1962, John Francis Bongiovi Jr., known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, was born.
1974: Formation of First Band
In 1974, Jon Bon Jovi formed his first band, Raze, and participated in a talent contest at his school.
1980: Formation of The Rest
By 1980, Jon Bon Jovi had formed his first original band, The Rest, which opened for New Jersey acts.
March 1983: Formation of Bon Jovi Band Members
In March 1983, Bon Jovi called bassist Alec John Such, who then brought in drummer Tico Torres and guitarist Richie Sambora, establishing the founding members of the band Bon Jovi.
1983: Formation of Bon Jovi
In 1983, Jon Bon Jovi founded the rock band Bon Jovi.
1984: Release of Bon Jovi's First Album
In 1984, Bon Jovi released its first album.
1985: Release of Bon Jovi's Second Album
In 1985, Bon Jovi released its second album.
1986: Release of "Slippery When Wet"
In 1986, the band Bon Jovi achieved widespread success with its third album, Slippery When Wet, which sold 28 million copies worldwide.
1990: Uncredited Role in "Young Guns II"
In 1990, Jon Bon Jovi had a brief, uncredited role in the film Young Guns II.
1990: Recording of "Blaze of Glory"
In 1990, Jon Bon Jovi recorded the soundtrack to the movie Young Guns II, known as Blaze of Glory, marking his first solo album.
1991: Award for "Blaze of Glory"
In 1991, "Blaze of Glory" won an award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single at the American Music Awards and a Golden Globe.
1993: Birth of Daughter Stephanie
In 1993, Jon Bon Jovi's daughter, Stephanie, was born.
1997: Release of "Destination Anywhere" Album and Short Film
In 1997, Jon Bon Jovi's second solo album, Destination Anywhere, was released along with a short movie of the same name.
1999: "Next 100 Years" Recording by J-Friends
In 1999, the Japanese version of the song "Next 100 years", with lyrics by B'z's Koshi Inaba, was recorded by Johnny & Associates's special unit called J-Friends for the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake relief.
April 2003: Release of "J-FRIENDS Never Ending Spirit 1997-2003" DVD
In April 2003, the live version of the song "Next 100 years" was included in a DVD, "J-FRIENDS Never Ending Spirit 1997-2003".
2004: Campaigning for John Kerry
During the 2004 presidential campaign, Jon Bon Jovi toured extensively on behalf of presidential candidate John Kerry.
2004: Ownership of Philadelphia Soul
In 2004, Bon Jovi became founder and primary owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League.
2005: Donation to Angel Network Foundation
In 2005, Bon Jovi (the band) donated $1 million to the Angel Network foundation during an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
2006: Induction into UK Music Hall of Fame
In 2006, Bon Jovi was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
2006: Founding of Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation
In 2006, The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation was founded to support community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.
July 2007: Rehabilitation Project Announcement
In July 2007, Jon Bon Jovi announced a project to rehabilitate a block of 15 homes in North Philadelphia.
January 18, 2009: Performance at Obama's Inauguration Concert
On January 18, 2009, Bon Jovi performed a duet at Barack Obama's inauguration concert.
June 4, 2009: Benefit Show for Jon Corzine
On June 4, 2009, Bon Jovi performed an acoustic benefit show for Democratic New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine.
2009: Induction into Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2009, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
December 15, 2010: Appointment to White House Council
On December 15, 2010, Bon Jovi was appointed by then U.S. president Barack Obama to the White House Council for Community Solutions.
January 24, 2011: Casting in "New Year's Eve" Film
On January 24, 2011, it was confirmed that Bon Jovi would be cast in the film New Year's Eve as a successful rock star.
October 19, 2011: Opening of JBJ Soul Kitchen
On October 19, 2011, the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant, opened in Red Bank, New Jersey, allowing patrons to pay what they can afford.
2011: "Slippery When Wet" Sales
As of 2011, the album "Slippery When Wet" had sold 28 million copies worldwide.
December 13, 2012: "Not Running Anymore" Golden Globe Nomination
On December 13, 2012, it was announced that Jon Bon Jovi's song "Not Running Anymore" was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
2012: Billboard's Power 100 Ranking
In 2012, Bon Jovi ranked number 50 on Billboard magazine's "Power 100" list, which recognized the most powerful and influential people in the music business.
2014: Bidding for Buffalo Bills
In 2014, a group of investors including Bon Jovi made it to the final round of bidding to acquire the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.
2018: Induction into U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2018, Bon Jovi was inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
2019: Bon Jovi's Album Releases and Performances
As of 2019, Bon Jovi had released 15 studio albums, five compilations, and three live albums and has performed over 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries.
2019: Honorary Doctorate from University of Pennsylvania
In 2019, Bon Jovi received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
October 24, 2020: Performance at Drive-In Event for Joe Biden
On October 24, 2020, Bon Jovi performed at a drive-in event for Joe Biden at Dallas High School in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
2020: Endorsement of Cory Booker
In the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Bon Jovi endorsed Cory Booker for President of the United States.
November 12, 2021: Recovery from COVID-19
Bon Jovi had recovered from COVID-19 by November 12, 2021.
2021: Honorary Doctorate from Princeton University
In 2021, Bon Jovi received a second honorary doctorate from Princeton University, recognizing his contributions in music and social welfare.
April 2022: Reflection on COVID-19 Experience
In April 2022, Bon Jovi spoke about how his COVID-19 experience had affected him, including in his songwriting, and how it made him realize how fragile life is.
2022: Bon Jovi's Last Tour
In June 2024, Bon Jovi performed live for the first time since the end of the 2022 tour at the opening of JBJ's restaurant.
2023: JBJ Soul Kitchen Expansion
As of 2023, three additional JBJ Soul Kitchen locations have opened.
May 2024: Marriage of Son Jake to Millie Bobby Brown
In May 2024, Jon Bon Jovi's son, Jake, married the British actress Millie Bobby Brown.
June 8, 2024: Opening of JBJ's Restaurant
On June 8, 2024, Jon Bon Jovi opened a rooftop restaurant and bar, JBJ's, in Nashville, Tennessee, with a grand opening performance by Bon Jovi and the band.
September 11, 2024: Prevention of Suicide Attempt
On September 11, 2024, Bon Jovi helped prevent a woman from jumping off the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville.
2024: Death of Carol Sharkey
In 2024, Carol Sharkey, Jon Bon Jovi's mother, passed away.
