Bon jovi is an american rock band that formed in the mid-80s in Sayreville, New Jersey. The group has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and is still a major concert draw. Fronted by charasmatic leader and namesake Jon Bongiovi, the band has been through many ups and downs over the years, but remains one of the most popular modern groups around. The band is currently celebrating their legacy with a Hulu docuseries called Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.
Bon Jovi has had its share of lineup changes over the years, with bassist Hugh McDonald and drummer Tico Torres joining following original bassist Alec John Such’s departure in 1994 and guitarist Richie Sambora stepping out of the band in 2013. Guitarist Phil X officially joined the group in 2016 and brings a slew of prior recording credits to the table, having worked with artists like Avril Lavigne, Rob Zombie, Kelly Clarkson, Alice Cooper, and Pat Benatar over the years.
The members of the band all come from a variety of backgrounds, but all share similar interests. Bon jovi is known for their hard rock sound and has had several hit singles in both the US and UK over the years. They are also well known for their extensive touring schedule, which has taken them all over the world.
The group’s first album was self-titled BON JOVI, released in 1984. After the success of this first effort the band was signed to a management company headed by Daniel ‘Doc’ McGhee. With guidance from their label Polygram they practiced and recorded constantly, and by the time CROSS ROAD came along they were a well-oiled machine.
After releasing CROSS ROAD the band was ecstatic with their success, but sadly their vacation time was short lived. Just days after September 11, 2001 the band filmed Public Service Announcements for the Red Cross and performed at two Monmouth County Alliance of Neighbors concerts to raise money for families near the site of the World Trade Center disaster.
With SLIPPERY WHEN WET continuing to do well on the charts and tour schedules full, the band decided to move right back into the Vancouver studios (again with Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock at the helm) to record their next album. This time the band took a different approach to the production, going back into the studio with a more relaxed attitude and focusing on the music.
The result was ELEVATOR which was a critical and commercial success, delivering the type of hit record that would become their trademark. It also included the Number One hit YOU GIVE LOVE A BAD NAME, which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. ELEVATOR also introduced their trademark sound, which would be the same throughout all of their future releases.