Jon Bon Jovi is one of the biggest-selling bands in music history. With his band’s all-American sound and wholesome image, the New Jersey rocker has built a massive fan base that spans the globe. His brand of uplifting rock is rooted in the blues and country, infused with gospel and a dash of punk, and has become the soundtrack for many families.
In this captivating narrative, readers will discover the story of Bon Jovi’s early years, exploring his family background and the profound musical influences that shaped his passion for rock music. The book traces the formation of his first band, and illustrates the pivotal moments that led to the band’s breakthrough album, Slippery When Wet. It also reveals how the group persevered and achieved global fame.
By the end of the 1980s, the band had sold millions of records and became a household name. The band toured relentlessly, with concerts at some of the world’s biggest arenas and stadiums. Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Hurley, had two children together, and the band made several charitable contributions, including the purchase of the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium.
Bon Jovi has always maintained a strong work ethic. In 1989, the band went on a temporary hiatus, with Jon focusing on his acting career. He appeared in several movies and recorded a soundtrack for the film Young Guns II, known as Blaze of Glory.
With the release of their 1986 album, Slippery When Wet, the band became an MTV mainstay and a global icon. The album broadened the group’s arsenal with twangy power ballads (“Wanted Dead or Alive”) and blue-collar rock anthems in the Springsteen mold (“Livin’ on a Prayer”).
After taking some scheduled time off, the band reunited in 1994 to record the albums Keep the Faith and Crush. These albums and the band’s 2000 LP, This House Is Not for Sale, repositioned the band with a younger audience.
In the 2000s, Bon Jovi expanded his talents with a number of solo projects. The album I’m A Believer featured guest appearances by LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich, and the rocker also took a stab at country with 2007’s Lost Highway.
A committed Catholic, Jon Bon Jovi has been involved in a number of charitable organizations. He has worked on behalf of the Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Project H.O.M.E, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. He also supports the New England Patriots and owns two Super Bowl rings from the team. In 2024, Bon Jovi helped a woman avoid jumping off the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville. He has also received honorary doctorates from both the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University for his contributions to music and social welfare. He has a home in Rumson, New Jersey, and maintains the Sanctuary Sound recording studio in the basement of his home there. He has also been a longtime friend of the New England Patriots’ owner, Robert Kraft.