Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock group from Sayreville, New Jersey, formed in 1983. The band is led by singer Jon Bon Jovi and includes keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Hugh McDonald and guitarist Phil X. Its former members include founding bassist Alec John Such, who leaves in 1994, and longtime guitarist and co-songwriter Richie Sambora, who departs in 2013. Other members listed in the group’s history include Dave “The Snake” Sabo and John Shanks, while percussionist Everett Bradley also appears in the later lineup.

Sound and labels

The group is associated with rock, hard rock and related styles including aor, arena rock, classic rock, glam metal and heartland rock. It releases music through labels including Island, Mercury Records and Vertigo, as well as Bon Jovi Dist Deal, Captain Kidd Corp. and Bon Jovi Dist Deal for new albums.

Career overview

Bon Jovi first draws wide attention with its 1984 self-titled debut album, helped by the Top 40 single “Runaway.” Its third album, Slippery When Wet (1986), becomes a major international success and produces the Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.” The follow-up, New Jersey (1988), continues that commercial run and yields five Top 10 singles, including two further chart-toppers.

During the late 1980s the band tours extensively, with the New Jersey Syndicate Tour running from 1988 to 1990. In 1992, Keep the Faith presents a more mature sound and includes “Bed of Roses.” The 1994 compilation Cross Road features “Always,” the band’s longest-charting single. These Days (1995) continues that development and performs strongly in the UK and Europe.

After a short break, Bon Jovi returns with Crush (2000), led by “It’s My Life,” which introduces the band to a younger audience. Later albums include Bounce (2002), Have a Nice Day (2005), Lost Highway (2007), The Circle (2009), What About Now (2013), Burning Bridges (2015), This House Is Not for Sale (2016), 2020 and Forever. Have a Nice Day and Lost Highway incorporate country influences, while “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” wins a Grammy. The Circle returns the group to a straighter rock sound, and This House Is Not for Sale is its first studio album without Sambora.

Recognition and impact

Bon Jovi is inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 and the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, and receives the Award of Merit at the American Music Awards in 2004. Over its career, the group releases 16 studio albums, five compilations and three live albums, sells more than 130 million records worldwide and performs for more than 34 million fans across 50 countries. Its reputation rests on a blend of heavy metal and pop elements delivered with mainstream rock appeal.