jon bon jovi is one of the most popular and successful bands of all time. They have sold over 120 million albums worldwide, and had countless top 20 hits. Throughout their career they have shown enormous longevity and range, which is particularly impressive for a hair band. This is largely down to solid songcraft and an arsenal of All-American songs that have found universal acceptance.
After finishing high school, Jon Bon Jovi took a job sweeping floors at the Power Station, a recording studio owned by his cousin Tony. While there he got the chance to rub shoulders with stars like Mick Jagger and David Bowie. He also recorded demo tapes with professional back-up bands during non-peak hours. One of those demos,
The rest, as they say, is history. He was married to his high school sweetheart Dorothea Hurley in 1989, started his own record label and began producing and writing for other artists including Aldo Nova and Billy Falcon. He and Sambora embarked on a cross-country motorcycle trip that would change the direction of their music. Previously apolitical, the pair now saw firsthand some of the social ailments that plagued their country and decided to incorporate awareness-raising messages into their songs.
By the early 2000s Bon Jovi had established themselves as an international superstar. They continued to tour and make new albums, with 2002’s ‘Crush’ becoming their biggest hit yet. During this time they also established themselves as a film act and appeared in movies like ‘Pay It Forward’ and ‘U-571’.
In the same year Bon Jovi released an acoustic album, ‘This Left Feels Right’ and followed this up with a full-length live release, ‘Inside Out’ in 2012. During this time the band members also pursued solo projects, with Sambora issuing his third album, ‘Aftermath of the Lowdown’, in November of that year.
Since then Bon Jovi have remained as an ever-popular force in rock, with new hits and old favourites still finding their way to the charts. They have won many awards and accolades including a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. In addition to his musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is heavily involved with philanthropy and is a founder of the Soul Foundation which helps fight issues that force families into economic despair. He has also been a vocal supporter of progressive causes such as gay rights, animal welfare, and has campaigned for political figures such as John Kerry, Barack Obama, and Al Gore. He is also a co-owner of the Arena Football League team Philadelphia Soul. He has been recognised for his work with numerous prestigious awards. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Monmouth University.