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With four decades under their belt, Bon Jovi are still at the top of their game. In support of the 40th anniversary of their debut album, the band of brothers from New Jersey have readied themselves for a big, big year.
First, they released a new single in 2024, the aptly named “Legendary” from their upcoming 16th studio album, Forever. Then there’s the limited edition ruby-colored vinyl LP for the 40th anniversary of the Bon Jovi album, ruby being the traditional gift for such an occasion. And to cap it all off, a four-part docuseries on Hulu, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.
With a sound and look that defined the 80s, Bon Jovi ruled radio and MTV with a remarkable string of hits like “Livin On A Prayer,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive.” They’re internationally known for their songs that bridged the gap between hard rock and pop, epic videos, dynamic live shows, and all that hair. While topping the charts and performing to over 100,000,000 fans, they picked up multiple awards from The Grammys, MTV, CMT, Billboard, and American Music Awards.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to celebrate the 40th anniversary of legendary rock band Bon Jovi, who’ve “seen a million faces, and rocked ‘em all.”
Here’s our chronological list of 21 of Bon Jovi’s most iconic moments. A primer of what it takes to continue to make a mark, four decades on. Aspiring rockers, hair models, and philanthropists take note.
Humble Beginnings
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born in 1962 in Perth Amboy, NJ to John Francis Bongiovi Sr. a barber and a former Marine, and Carol (Sharkey). He has two siblings, brothers Anthony and Matthew.
Musical Inspiration
Growing up not far from Asbury Park, Jon grew up idolizing another Jersey legend, Bruce Springsteen, who he now counts as a close friend.
Musical Prodigy
Jon began his career in music working as a janitor at the famed NYC recording studio, the Power Station, which was owned by his second cousin. It was here that he developed the incredible work ethic that became his mantra, work harder than everyone else.
Name Change
Following the example of another two-worded rock band, Van Halen, Jon changed his name from Bongiovi to Bon Jovi and shared the name with his newly named band.
The Original Lineup
Bon Jovi was founded in 1983 in Sayerville, NJ, and was comprised of Jon Bon Jovi (frontman, lead songwriter, vocals, and guitar), Richie Sambora (songwriter and guitar), Tico Torres (drums), Alec John Such and later Hugh McDonald (bass), and David Bryan (keyboards and cascading curls).
The band soon found unparalleled success by blending hard rock with undeniable pop hooks.
First Album
The band’s debut album, the self-titled Bon Jovi, was released in 1984 and included their first hit, “Runaway”. Legend has it that Jon first got the idea for this monster hit on the bus ride to work at the Power Station.
Early Success
7800 Fahrenheit, the band’s second album, took its name from the melting point of rock (now that’s clever) and introduced the band’s all-caps logo which would be used on subsequent albums. Singles “Only Lonely” and “In And Out Of Love” were both Billboard hits.
Hitting the Big Time
1986’s Slippery When Wet was the album that changed everything. It was an instant and massive success and has sold over 28 million copies to date.
Co-written with Desmond Child and full of hits that you know you know every word to like “You Give Love A Bad Name” (their first number 1), “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Never Say Goodbye,” the album cemented the band’s place in rock history.
Jersey Boys
Hot on the heels of Slippery When Wet, Bon Jovi’s follow-up LP made it clear that they would always be true to their roots by paying homage to their home state with its title, New Jersey.
The album’s first three tracks “Lay Your Hands On Me,” “Bad Medicine,” and “Born To Be My Baby” all went Top 10, along with ballads “Living In Sin” and “I’ll Be There For You,” — a feat matched previously only by 11 artists.
Lasting Love
While enjoying their unparalleled ride atop the charts, Jon decided it was time to marry his longtime girlfriend, high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley. The two eloped in Vegas in 1989, are happily married to this day, and have raised four children, daughter Stephanie, and sons Jesse, Jake, and Romeo.
The Silver Screen
After years of back-to-back recording and touring, the guys took a much-needed hiatus. During this time, Jon kept busy writing the soundtrack to the film Young Guns II which starred Emilio Estevez, Keifer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Christian Slater.
Jon’s power ballad for the film, “Blaze of Glory” remains a staple of the band’s live show, despite being Jon’s first solo release. Not content to rest on his laurels, Richie Sambora also released his debut solo album at this time, Stranger In This Town.
End of an Era
Keep The Faith, the band’s fifth album was the last with their original lineup. It featured hits “Keep The Faith,” “In These Arms”, and “Bed of Roses.”
Model Behavior
In 1994, to support Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Jon recorded a cover of “Please Come Home For Christmas.” The video for the song was directed by Herb Ritts and featured supermodel Cindy Crawford.
Chart Toppers
The band continued releasing chart-topping albums from the late 90s to today – These Days, Crush, Bounce, Have A Nice Day, Lost Highway, The Circle, What About Now, Burning Bridges, This House Is Not For Sale, 2020, and 2024’s Forever.
Acting Bug
Jon Bon Jovi has also earned acclaim as an actor. He’s appeared on the TV shows Sex and the City, Ally McBeal, and The West Wing, and in films such as Moonlight, Valentino and New Year’s Eve.
Other Ventures
After years of selling out stadiums on their concert tours, it made sense that Bon Jovi and Sambora would look to expand upon that footprint and did so by becoming majority and minority owners of AFL team Philadelphia Soul from 2004-2008.
Giving Back
Jon’s philanthropic arm, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, was founded in 2006. According to its site, the organization “worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through developing partnerships, creating programs and providing grant funding to support innovative community benefit organizations.” It also includes JBJ Soul Kitchen, which provides healthy meals for paying and in-need customers.
Hall of Famers
In 2009, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside luminaries such as Crosby, Stills, and Nash.
A Deserved Honor
Inducted by Howard Stern, the boys from small-town New Jersey were admitted to the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 in a class that included The Cars, Nina Simone, The Moody Blues, and Dire Straits.
Making Sacrifices
Years of singing his heart out took a toll on Jon’s voice and, in 2022, he underwent vocal fold medialization surgery. The procedure, along with daily voice exercises, will allow him to continue recording and performing for years to come.
Person of the Year
To celebrate his phenomenal run of 40 years in the business, Jon was named 2024 MusicCares Person of the Year.
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