Bon Jovi

Artist Image: Bon Jovi

Biography

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald. The band's lineup has remained mostly static during their history, the only exception being the departure of Alec John Such in 1994, who was unofficially replaced by Hugh McDonald. The band became known for writing several rock anthems and achieved widespread recognition with their third album, Slippery When Wet, released in 1986. After touring and recording non-stop during the late 1980s, the band went on hiatus after the New Jersey Tour in 1990, during which time Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora both released successful solo albums. In 1992, the band returned with the album Keep the Faith. Their 2000 single "It's My Life", which followed a second hiatus, successfully introduced the band to a younger audience. Bon Jovi has been known to use different styles in their music, which has included country for their 2007 album Lost Highway. Their latest album, The Circle, was released on November 10, 2009 in the United States. Throughout their career, the band have released eleven studio albums, three compilation albums and one live album, and have sold 130 million records worldwide. They have performed more than 2,600 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans, and were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006. The band was also honored with the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. Jon Bon Jovi began playing piano and guitar in 1975, at the age of 13, with his first band 'Raze'. At 16, Bon Jovi met David Bryan and formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway. Still in his teens, Bon Jovi played in the band "John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones," playing local clubs like "The Fast Lane," and opening for known acts in the area. By 1980, he formed another band, "The Rest", and opened up for New Jersey acts such as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. By mid-1982, out of school and working part-time at a women's shoe store, Jon Bon Jovi took a job at the Power Station Studios, a Manhattan recording facility where his cousin Tony Bongiovi was co-owner. Bon Jovi made several demos-including one produced by Billy Squier-and sent them to record companies, though failing to make an impact. His first professional recording was as lead vocals in "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas," which was part of the Christmas in the Stars album which his cousin co-produced. Bon Jovi visited local radio station WAPP 103.5FM "The Apple" in Lake Success, New York. He spoke directly to the promotion director, John Lassman, who accepted the song "Runaway" for inclusion on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. Bon Jovi was initially reluctant, but eventually gave them the song, on which Bon Jovi had used studio musicians to play on the track. The studio musicians who helped record "Runaway"-known as The All Star Review-were guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, and bassist Hugh McDonald.

Details

Item Name Item Details
Year Formed 1983
Number of Albums 53
Record Label Island
Website www.bonjovi.com
Wikipedia Bon Jovi on Wikipedia
Social Networks

Trivia

When was Bonjovi's band formed?

1983

... the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983 . He has released 15 studio albums with his band as well as two solo albu...
How many studio albums has Bonjovic released with his band?

15

...tman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983. He has released 15 studio albums with his band as well as two solo albums. In the 1990s, Bon...
In what decade did Bon Jovic start an acting career?

1990s

...leased 15 studio albums with his band as well as two solo albums. In the 1990s , Bon Jovi started an acting career, starring in the films Moonlight and...
What films did BonJovi star in?

Moonlight and Valentino and U571

..., Bon Jovi started an acting career, starring in the films Moonlight and Valentino and U571 and appearing on television in Sex and the City, Ally McBe...
When was he inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame?

2009

...a songwriter, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 . In 2012, he ranked number 50 on the list of Billboard magazine's Power ...
In what year did Bonjovi rank number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100?

2012

...ter, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012 , he ranked number 50 on the list of Billboard magazine's Power 100, a ra...
Where was John Francis Bongiovi Jr. born?

Perth Amboy, New Jersey

...unded in 2006. Early life John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey , a son of two former Marines, barber John Francis Bongiovi Sr....
Who is Buny a blood relative of?

Frank Sinatra

...iacca, Sicily) and Slovak ancestry and his mother is of German and Russian descent. He has stated that he is a blood relative of singer Frank Sinatra ....
In what films has Jon Bon jovi acted?

The Leading Man

... wellcrafted melodies. Jon Bon Jovi has also acted in such films as The Leading Man and was a recurring character on TV's Ally McBeal. Today he contin...
What TV show was Jovi a recurring character on?

Ally McBeal

...n such films as The Leading Man and was a recurring character on TV's Ally McBeal . Today he continues to perform with his legendary band Bon Jovi. The...
When did Jon start playing in clubs?

16

...ngsteen and the Asbury Jukes, Jon was playing in clubs by the time he was 16 . He met keyboardist David Bryan in high school, and the two formed a tenp...
What band did Jon and David Bryan form?

Atlantic City Expressway

...ol, and the two formed a tenpiece rhythm and blues band called Atlantic City Expressway . Jon also performed with bands called The Rest, The Lechers an...
What other bands did Jon perform with?

The Rest, The Lechers and John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones

...rhythm and blues band called Atlantic City Expressway. Jon also performed with bands called The Rest, The Lechers and John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones ....
Who owned the recording studio?

Tony Bongiovi

...eferring to spend his time in bands with friends and with his cousin Tony Bongiovi who owned the recording studio The Power Station. He started playin...
Who suggested Bongiovi record R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas?

Tony

...echers and John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones. His first recording was when Tony suggested he record R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas when Meco was rec...
Who was recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album?

Meco

...as when Tony suggested he record R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas when Meco was recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album. He ...
What was the name of the local radio station that featured Bon Jovi's song on their compilation album?

WAPP 103.5FM The Apple

... The Star Wars Christmas Album. He persuaded rock radio station WAPP 103.5FM The Apple to include his song on their compilation album of local talent....
What record label did Bonjovi sign with in 1983?

Mercury records

... of local talent. It became a local hit and in 1983, he signed with Mercury records . They called themselves Bon Jovi following band names of the likes...
When did Johnny Electric's selftitled first album come out?

1984

...y to be called Johnny Electric. Their selftitled first album came out in 1984 while their breakthrough moment came with album number two Slippery When...
When did Alec John Such quit the band?

1994

...see Bongiovi (surname). Original bassist Alec John Such quit the band in 1994 , and longtime guitarist and cosongwriter Richie Sambora left in 2013. Th...
When did Richie Sambora leave the band?

2013

... in 1994, and longtime guitarist and cosongwriter Richie Sambora left in 2013 . The band have been credited with bridging the gap between heavy metal a...
What was the name of Jovi's third album?

Slippery When Wet

... widespread success and global recognition with their third album, Slippery When Wet , which sold over 20 million copies and included three Top 10 sing...
Which Jovi single made it to the Top 40?

Runaway

...d 1985, Bon Jovi released their first two albums and their debut single Runaway managed to crack the Top 40. In 1986, the band achieved widespread suc...
In what year did the band return with a new album?

1992

... and Richie Sambora released successful solo albums in 1990 and 1991, respectively. In 1992 , the band returned with the doubleplatinum Keep the Faith....
What was the name of the doubleplatinum album released by the band?

Keep the Faith

... and Richie Sambora released successful solo albums in 1990 and 1991, respectively. In 1992, the band returned with the doubleplatinum Keep the Faith ....
What was the name of the sequel to Slippery When Wet?

New Jersey

...peal wasn't limited to the States. Slippery When Wet, its 1988 sequel New Jersey , and 1992's Keep the Faith all were international smashes, each selli...
What did the group gradually lessen their reliance on?

arena rock guitars

... fit the time. First, the group slowly lessened their reliance on arena rock guitars , emphasizing melody and ballads without rejecting hard rock. They...
What did Bon Jovi incorporate into their songs?

soft rock and country

...llads without rejecting hard rock. They incorporated elements of soft rock and country , moves that helped the band sustain their popularity into the 2...
What was the name of the lead singer?

Jon Bon Jovi

...ity into the 21st century. Bon Jovi took their name from lead singer Jon Bon Jovi (born Jon Bongiovi), who spent his adolescence playing in local Jers...
Who did Jon play with in Jersey bands?

David Bryan

...ngiovi), who spent his adolescence playing in local Jersey bands with David Bryan (born David Rashbaum). One of those demos, Runaway, became a hit on ...
Who was the bassist in the band Bon Jovi?

Alec John Such

... band: Jon and Bryan were supported by guitarist Dave Sabo, bassist Alec John Such , and drummer Tico Torres. Runaway spurred a majorlabel bidding war,...
Richie Sambora was a member of what band?

Message

... working guitarist with a long resumé, including a stint as a member of Message . Bon Jovi released their eponymous debut album in 1984, generating a T...
What year was Alec John Such born?

1951

...ncerts and their albums. After bassist Alec John Such (born November 14, 1951 , Perth Amboy) left the band in 1994, he was replaced by Hugh McDonald (H...
Who replaced Alec Such?

Hugh McDonald

...ber 14, 1951, Perth Amboy) left the band in 1994, he was replaced by Hugh McDonald (Hugh John McDonald; born 1950, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). Based ...
In what city was he born in 1950?

Philadelphia

...94, he was replaced by Hugh McDonald (Hugh John McDonald; born 1950, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania). Based on that success, he formed the band that would...
Which record label did the band sign a record deal with in 1983?

Mercury Records

...s name in 1983, and the band subsequently signed a record deal with Mercury Records . The groups first, selftitled album was released in 1984, with the...
When was the band's second album released?

7800 Fahrenheit

...selftitled album was released in 1984, with their sophomore effort, 7800 Fahrenheit , out the next year. In the meantime, Bon Jovi was touring and achi...
How many records has Bon Jovi sold globally?

90 million

...yalty to fans, and collective good looks, Bon Jovi has sold more than 90 million records globally. We just want kids to have fun, nothing moreand noth...
What year was Jon Bonjovi born?

1962

...n Bon Jovi stated in a 1986 interview in Rolling Stone. Born on March 2, 1962 , in Sayreville, New Jersey, Jon Bon Jovi is the oldest son of ItalianAme...
In what city was Jon Born?

Sayreville

...tated in a 1986 interview in Rolling Stone. Born on March 2, 1962, in Sayreville , New Jersey, Jon Bon Jovi is the oldest son of ItalianAmericans John ...
How old was Jon when she brought home a guitar?

seven

...d the seed of her son's love of music when she brought home a guitar for seven yearold Jon. I was very much the average American kid,'' he told Jill Se...
Who was Jon Bon Jovi's father?

John Francis Bongiovi, Sr

...i, Jr. On March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to parents John Francis Bongiovi, Sr . and Carol Sharkey. She met Bon Jovi's father after she enlis...
In what city is the major market rock station WAPP located?

New York City

...oducer, actor and philanthropist. After being turned down he visited New York City 's major market rock station WAPP, also known as The Apple at 103.5F...
On what radio station is The Apple broadcast?

103.5FM

... York City's major market rock station WAPP, also known as The Apple at 103.5FM . Jon Bon Jovi became David Bryan, Alec John Such, bassist, Tico Torres...
What is WAPP also known as?

The Apple at 103.5FM

...ed New York City's major market rock station WAPP, also known as The Apple at 103.5FM . Jon Bon Jovi became David Bryan, Alec John Such, bassist, Tico ...
Who was Jon Bon Jovi's neighbor?

Dave Sabo

...ryan, Alec John Such, bassist, Tico Torres, drummer, and his neighbor, Dave Sabo at lead guitar. Sabo played only a few local shows before he left to ...
What band did Dave Sabo form?

Skid Row

...r. Sabo played only a few local shows before he left to form the group Skid Row with Rachel Bolan. After Runaway became a worldwide hit, Bon Jovi want...
Who formed the group Skid Row with?

Rachel Bolan

...nly a few local shows before he left to form the group Skid Row with Rachel Bolan . After Runaway became a worldwide hit, Bon Jovi wanted a name for th...