Jon Bon Jovi is one of the most iconic rock bands to have ever walked the earth. With hits such as ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, they have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. They’ve won multiple awards and accolades over the years and have never stopped touring. They have also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and are currently working on their 16th studio album. However, their latest album will be the first one without former lead guitarist Richie Sambora.
As the band continues to write, record and perform for fans across the globe, their personal lives have shifted over time, too. They’ve gone through several lineup changes over the years, with founding member Alec John Such passing away in June 2022 (bassist Hugh McDonald replaced him) and Sambora leaving in 2013 (guitarist Phil X officially took his place). However, it seems that there is still an unbreakable bond between the members of the legendary rock group. This is evident in the Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Story of Bon Jovi, which was filmed with full cooperation from both past and present members of the band.
From sweeping floors to singing for a living, the five New Jersey guys from Bon Jovi have built a multi-billion dollar empire through hard work and persistence. The Hulu series chronicles their journey from childhood to their success today and explores how they’ve managed to stay on top of the music world for three decades and counting.
In the docuseries, Bon Jovi members Jon, singer Tico Torres, drummer David Bryan, bassist Hugh McDonald and guitar player Phil X reflect on their early days together and how they’ve grown to become one of the most successful bands in history. They discuss the many ups and downs of their career, including the tension that grew between them and former lead guitarist Richie Sambora, who left in 2013. While the band has had some turmoil over the years, they are now preparing to release their 16th album, Forever, this June.
The band has also worked with a variety of other famous musicians in the music industry, both as session players and as backing vocalists. Their work includes collaborating with Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Michael Bolton and more. They’ve even been featured in the 2016 documentary Hired Gun, which puts the world of session musicians in the spotlight.
The docuseries will also cover some of the controversies surrounding the band, such as their feud with the Recording Academy over the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song for ‘Livin’ on a prayer’ in 2022 and Jon’s decision to undergo voice surgery in 2022. This involved having his vocal folds medialized to help alleviate loose vocal folds. While he admits that his voice isn’t quite as strong as it was before, he says that he still works with vocal coaches and does regular vocal exercises to keep his pipes in tip-top shape.