The American rock band Bon Jovi has crafted an extensive discography that spans nearly three decades. Founded in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, the group has become one of the most influential and successful bands in rock music history. Its members include singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi, guitarist Richie Sambora, bassist Alec John Such, and drummer Tico Torres.
The group first gained popularity in the early 1980s with the release of its eponymous debut album, which generated a Top 40 hit with the song Runaway. The following year, the group released 7800deg Fahrenheit, which also became a Top 40 hit. Both albums served as a prelude to their 1986 breakthrough album, Slippery When Wet.
Bon Jovi has continued to produce hits throughout the years. The group has expanded its musical horizons, ranging from hard rock to confessional adult contemporary and reflective country music. Their acoustic studio work has also garnered praise. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi’s voice is a force to be reckoned with, capable of shifting effortlessly from style to style yet still enthralling fans.
The band’s most commercially successful album, Cross Road (1994), produced the hit “Always.” Bon Jovi’s next release, These Days (1995), was a darker album that helped the group gain a wider audience. The band took a hiatus in 2000 and returned with the album Bounce, which included the hit single “It’s My Life.” The band remained active after that, releasing Crush (2004) and Have a Nice Day (2005).
In recent times, Bon Jovi has stepped into the political arena with songs such as “Bounce” and “Have a Nice Day,” both of which saluted New York’s post-Sept. 11 resilience and urged tolerance. The band has also branched out into the film industry, composing two soundtracks for the Emilio Estevez movie Young Guns II.
Jon Bon Jovi is the son of a hairdresser and a former Marine. He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and raised in Sayreville. He has two brothers, Anthony and Matthew. Bon Jovi is of Italian descent, and his grandfather was born in Sciacca, Sicily. He has a love for his home country and often visits there to see family. He has a strong work ethic and is devoted to his family. He and his wife have two children, Stephanie and Danielle. He has also been involved in philanthropic efforts and supports several charities, including the American Red Cross. He is also an advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness and research. He has donated millions to various causes over the years. He is a member of the board of directors for the AIDS Foundation of Eastern New York. He is also a founder of the Global Foundation for Aids Prevention. He has spoken publicly about his personal experiences with AIDS. He has received many awards for his work in this area. He has also made several public service announcements on the subject. He has been honored with the Humanitarian Award by the National Gay and Lesbian Alliance and the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from the City of New York.