Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi live in Stuttgart, 2001

Bon Jovi is an American hard rock and country band from New Jersey. The group ist fronted by lead singer Jon Bon Jovi and was founded in 1983. They are one of the world's most successful rock bands in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s with over 120 million sold albums.

Band history

The first years

Jon Bon Jovi in 2006

The 1982 written and recorded song "Runaway" by Jon Bon Jovi reached the first place in a radio talent contest in 1983. So he became the possibility to sign a recording contract. Consequently, he founded Bon Jovi in 1983 with Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Alec John Such and Tico Torres. The self-titled debut album "Bon Jovi" was released in 1984. The single "Runaway" was the band's first hit and reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.

"Slippery When Wet"

Bon Jovi's second album "7800° Fahrenheit" had only moderate success. In 1986 the third album "Slippery When Wet" was released. It brought the worldwide breakthrough with international hits including "Livin' On A Prayer", "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Wanted Dead Or Alive". Significantly involved in this success was Desmond Child, who wrote many of the songs. "Slippery When Wet" has sold over 26,000,000 copies since its release in late 1986. The following Slippery When Wet Tour let become the band even more famous in Europe and North America.

The 90ies

After the enormous success with "Slippery When Wet" and the following tour, Bon Jovi released their forth album "New Jersey" in 1988. It was also successful and contained the hit "Bad Medicine" and the ballad "I'll Be There for You". Between 1990 and 1992, the band members went their separate ways for a while. Jon Bon Jovi released his first solo album "Blaze of Glory", that served as the soundtrack for the film "Young Guns II". In 1992, "Keep the Faith" was released. The album signyfied a music genre change. Bon Jovi turned away from heavy drums and wild guitar solos, and their new sound was smoother and calmer than in the eighties. The piano had a bigger influence now and the lyrics had a more serious meaning. The song "Keep the Faith" is about social and religious problems. The singles "Bed of Roses", "Keep the Faith" and "In These Arms" reached the Top 40 in the United States.
In 1994, Bon Jovi's first best-of-album was released: "Cross Road". It includes the hits from 1983 till 1992 and two new songs. One of them, "Always", became one of the most successful songs of Bon Jovi. "Always" is a love song and a power ballad completely written by Jon Bon Jovi. The 1995 album These Days was the band's sixth studio album. The sound is calm and the lyric content is very serious. "This Ain't a Love Song" was the lead single of "These Days" who sold over 11 million copies all around the world.

"Crush" and "Bounce"

From 1995 till 2000, Bon Jovi had a longer break. The band members focused on solo projects and family. In 2000 the first album after 5 years was released: "Crush". The album itself wasn't such prosperous than "Slippery When Wet" and "Keep The Faith". But the hit-single "It's my Life" became the most successful song of Bon Jovi. It reached the first place in the charts of many countries. The next disc was "Bounce" in 2002. It's affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks. "Bounce" wasn't very successful.

Members

Richie Sambora in Dublin, May 2006

Current members

• Jon Bon Jovi - lead vocals, rhythm guitars (1983-present)
• Richie Sambora - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (1983-present)
• David Bryan - keyboards, backing vocals (1983-present)
• Tico Torres - drums, percussion (1983-present)
• Hugh McDonald - bass, backing vocals (1994-present)

Touring Members

• Bobby Bandiera - Rhythm guitars, Backing vocals (2003-present)
• Lorenza Ponce - Violin, Fiddle, Backing vocals (2007-present)
• Kurt Johnston - Pedal Steel, Backing vocals (2007 present)

Former members

• Alec John Such - bass, backing vocals (1983-1994)
• Jeff Kazee - Additional keyboards, backing vocals (touring musician 2003-2007)

Other Websites

• Bon Jovi.com
• The Official Bon Jovi Website