A look back at Bon Jovi’s career

Bon Jovi, who will celebrate their 40th anniversary since their debut in 2024, has released a single called “Legendary” from their 16th studio album “Forever,” which will be released on June 7, 2024. Here it is sung:

I got what I want cause I got what I need
Got a fistful of friends that’ll stand up for me
Right where I am That’s where I wanna be
I got what I wanted because I had what I needed
I have a handful of friends who will stand up with me.
I want to remain as I am now.

This new song is the title of the fourth episode of Bon Jovi: Thank You, Goodnight, a four-part documentary that depicts the twists and turns of Bon Jovi as they became America’s leading rock band. It can be said that it expresses everything they have done.

Ever since they shocked the music scene with their third album, Slippery When Wet, in 1986, they have remained a beloved rock band. What’s more, even 40 years after their debut, their performances are as amazing as ever, and their technique for weaving catchy melodies has reached a state of perfection.

With six albums reaching number one in the U.S. and 13 other albums reaching the top 10, it can be said that they currently reign at the top of the rock world. Dew.

・Bon Jovi’s new album “Forever” will be released in June.The preceding song is the theme song for a new Fuji drama.
・Bon Jovi on their 40th anniversary: ​​Love for Japan from Japanese fans and the band

The album’s total sales to date have exceeded 130 million copies worldwide, and its popularity has not diminished even into the 21st century. However, they have also changed their sound in response to changing times. For example, the intense arena rock style guitars typical of the 1980s gradually faded away over time. Along the way, their names appeared on the adult contemporary charts, and they even ventured into country music. However, they never completely abandoned their hard rock sound.

Their trajectory shows how much they cherished their roots. Bon Jovi became second only to Bruce Springsteen in defining the sound and spirit of New Jersey rock ‘n’ roll.

Until debut

The band name Bon Jovi comes from the name of lead singer Jon Bon Jovi (real name Jon Bongiovi). When he was a teenager, he formed a band with David Bryan in his hometown of New Jersey.

John eventually began spending a lot of time at New York’s famous recording studio, Power Station. After all, his cousin Tony Bongiovi owned the studio. John worked there as an odd man and recorded demos after work. At times, he was assisted by members of the E Street Band and Aldo Nova.

One of the demos produced under such circumstances, “Runaway”, became a hit on local radio in New Jersey. John and Brian formed a band called Bon Jovi with guitarist Dave Sabo, bassist Alec John Thatch, and drummer Tico Torres.

“Runaway” sparked a major label scramble for them, but in 1983 the band signed to Polygram/Mercury. However, before they began recording, they replaced Sabo with Richie Sambora. Sambora was a ready-to-play guitarist with a wealth of experience, including in the group Message.

3rd big success since debut

Bon Jovi released their self-titled debut album, Bon Jovi (Runway at Dawn) in 1984. The original version of “Runaway” from the album was a top 40 hit. Furthermore, “7800° Fahrenheit” released the following year was also certified as a gold disc soon after. Thus, the groundwork was laid for their big break with 1986’s Slippery When Wet.

One day, John and Richie received contact information for professional composer Desmond Child from Paul Stanley of KISS. The album’s two biggest hits were co-written by the trio in Richie’s parents’ basement. They co-wrote a total of 30 songs and played them to young people in New Jersey and New York to see how they reacted. The order of the songs on the album was also decided based on the opinions of young people.

The completed album started to take off with the help of the popularity of “You Give Love A Bad Name”, and “Living On A Prayer” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive” were also released as singles in quick succession. The single also reached the top of the American singles chart. In addition, charming music videos were made for these songs, which were frequently aired on MTV, which added to the momentum of the work.

As a result, all three of the above songs reached the top 10 on the charts, and thanks to this, Slippery When Wet sold 12 million copies in the United States alone. This single album made Bon Jovi a superstar in his home country. And its popularity wasn’t limited to America. The album was also a significant success in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia.

They released their 1986 smash album Slippery When Wet and its hit singles, including “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Wanted Dead Or Alive,” and “Living On A Prayer.” They laid the foundation for the coming golden age of pop metal. But Bon Jovi wasn’t a band that disappeared just because of the 80s, when flashy hairstyles became popular. As mainstream styles and sounds changed over time, they defied the trend and became one of America’s leading rock bands.

Continued success with New Jersey

In 1988, Bon Jovi continued to develop the style established with Slippery When Wet and produced their fourth album, New Jersey. The album quickly reached number one on the charts, and although it fell slightly short of its predecessor’s success, it also sold 7 million copies in the United States alone.

In addition, New Jersey produced two US number one singles, “Bad Medicine” and “I’ll Be There For You,” as well as “Born To Be My Baby” and “Lay Your Hands.” “On Me” and “Living In Sin” also entered the top 10 of the chart.

However, after an 18-month world tour, Bon Jovi went on hiatus. During that time, Jon Bon Jovi composed the soundtrack for the film Young Guns 2, and the songs were released on Jon Bon Jovi’s 1990 solo album Blaze Of Glory.

The album, which was nominated for a Grammy Award and an Academy Award, also produced hit singles such as “Blaze of Glory”, which reached number 1 in the United States, and “Miracle,” which peaked at number 12.

“Keep The Faith” returns to activities

The following year, Bon Jovi resumed their activities. His fifth album, Keep The Faith, was recorded and released in the fall of 1992. Although this album was not as successful as the previous two albums, the single “Bed Of Roses” became a hit. The song was a ballad that could be classified as adult contemporary, and helped the band maintain its popularity.

The group also released their best album “Cross Road” in 1994. The ballad song “Always” from the same album also entered the top 10 of the chart.

However, at the same time, bassist Alec John Such left the band. His replacement was Hugh Macdonald, who had been recording with Bon Jovi since the time of “Runaway”. Although he did not join as an official member, he played a prominent role in the group’s next album.

Released in the fall of 1995, “These Days” once again reached the top 10 on the US album charts and became popular in Europe as well. The following year, in 1996, Jon Bon Jovi appeared as an individual in the film Moonlight & Valentino. The following summer of 1997 saw him release his first official solo album, Destination Anywhere.

Solo career and comeback work

In the late 1990s, the members of Bon Jovi were busy working on their own solo projects. For example, Richie released his second solo album, Undiscovered Soul, in 1998.

However, in 1999, after providing a song for the comedy film “Ed TV”, the group gradually began producing a full album. The result was the album “Crush,” released in 2000.

This album became a kind of “resurrection” for them in the United States, as it contained the single “It’s My Life,” which was a hit on various charts. “Thank You For Loving Me” from “Crush” also became a hit. As a result, “Crush” was certified double platinum in the United States and went on to sell 8 million copies worldwide.

Bon Jovi then released their eighth studio album, Bounce, in the fall of 2002, relatively soon after. They also held a world tour supporting the same work. In 2003, they released This Left Feels Right, a remake of the group’s popular songs with acoustic arrangements. The following year, in 2004, a DVD was also released containing footage of the acoustic live performance that was held to coincide with the release of the same album.

In November of the same year, they released 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong, an ambitious box set packed with outtakes and rare tracks. Next, the members of Bon Jovi released “Have A Nice Day,” which was composed entirely of new songs. John Shanks, who served as the film’s producer, will continue to work on their work.

“Have A Nice Day” reached number one on the album charts in Japan, Australia, Europe, and Canada, but the single “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” played a part in the album’s success. there were. The song, which featured guest vocals from Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, also won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration.

producing a country album

Over the next year, the members of Bon Jovi spent a lot of time in the studio working on their songs. They completed a group of songs that added pop elements to the country sound that was popular in the American Midwest, and released the result as the album “Lost Highway” in the summer of 2007. This album, which featured guest duets from LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich, helped the group gain support from country music fans.

The genre-crossing style of “Lost Highway” captured the hearts of many and marked their third No. 1 spot on the American album charts. But soon the members of Bon Jovi returned to a rock sound. That album is 2009’s The Circle, a melancholy and poignant album.

They also released their best album “Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection” the following year. The compilation included a number of hits as well as two new songs, “No Apologies” and “What Do You Got?”.

Energetic album production and 40th anniversary

John Shanks also served as the producer for their follow-up album, “What About Now.” Shanks was also involved in the work of Take That, a vocal group that took the world by storm at a young age. “What About Now” was released in March 2013 and debuted at number one on the US charts. This is Bon Jovi’s fifth time reaching number one in the United States.

After Richie Sambora left the band, the group released “Burning Bridges”. The album was an excellent work that included previously unreleased/unfinished songs as well as new songs “We Don’t Run” and “Saturday Night Gave Me Sunday Morning.”

2016 was a notable year with the release of This House Is Not For Sale. This album contains many songs with a high degree of perfection, and allows you to enjoy the sound typical of Bon Jovi, which has a proven track record. In 2020, he released his 15th studio album “2020”. Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, sales, where traditional promotions can be carried out well, have been forced to struggle.

In January 2024, the band will celebrate their 40th anniversary and will release a deluxe version of their debut album “Runaway” that includes unreleased material. Additionally, in April, the band’s first four-part documentary, “Bon Jovi: Thank You, Goodnight,” which summarizes the band’s career, will be released (in Japan on Disney Plus). In this work, Jon Bon Jovi became a hot topic when he confessed that he had a vocal cord problem and had undergone surgery.

In June, they released their 16th album, “Forever.” The lead single “Legendary” from the album that was produced after John overcame vocal cord surgery is being distributed.

Written By uDiscover Team

---

Bon Jovi “Forever”
Released on June 7, 2024
CD / iTunes Store / Apple Music / Spotify / Amazon Music

1.Legendary
2. We Made It Look Easy
3. Living Proof
4. Waves
5.Seeds
6. Kiss The Bride
7.The People’s House
8. Walls Of Jericho
9. I Wrote You A Song
10. Living In Paradise
11. My First Guitar
12. Hollow Man

---

---