There’s no doubt that Bon Jovi is one of the most popular rock bands of the last 40 years. Their anthems are synonymous with the ’80s hair metal era and they’re still going strong today. They’ve sold tens of millions of albums, and their songs are played everywhere from the football stadium to the local bar. But, just like any other band, they’ve had their share of tragedy and hardship as well. In this article we’ll look at some of the darkest moments in the career of this legendary American rock band.
In 1983, Jon Bongiovi, the singer and songwriter of Bon Jovi, was 22, and had already been playing in bands on the New Jersey club circuit for over a decade. He’d recorded a demo called Runaway, and when he took it to then-new rock station WAPP, DJ Chip Hobart thought it was great. He played it on air and, despite being turned down by the record labels he’d approached, the song was an instant hit. Pamela Maher, a friend of the band’s manager at the time, suggested the name Bon Jovi after the Beatles’ two word moniker and the fact that guitarist Richie Sambora had an Italian middle name.
Bon Jovi became the last band standing from the ’80s hair metal era, and they’ve been the biggest rock group of all time. They’ve had a massive worldwide following, sold over tens of millions of albums and been on dozens of tours. Their music has spanned a wide range of genres, from straight up hard rock to more pop-oriented ballads.
But, it’s not just their musical talents that have made them a success, and they’ve done a lot of charity work too. They’ve co-owned an Arena Football League team, launched a foundation that helps the homeless and even started a winery with their son. And, of course, they’ve starred in several movies and TV shows.
While most of their hits are stomping glammy hair metal pop rockers, Bon Jovi have a side that’s all about emotional power ballads. This number, taken from 1992’s Keep the Faith album, is a perfect example. It’s a stunning melding of pounding piano and twanging guitar, with Jon’s voice soaring over it all. It’s a beautiful song that’s been covered more than 500 times in concert and featured on the band’s 1994 Cross Road greatest-hits album and 2010’s Greatest Hits.
The song was inspired by the police brutality scandal in America and the deaths of black men at the hands of white officers. It’s a powerful reminder that no matter how much money and fame you have, you can still be crushed by grief. Jon said the song was the hardest he’s ever written, and he hoped it would spark people to take action against police violence. He also dedicated the song to his late drummer, John Panozzo, who was murdered by a racist in his home in 2003. The video for this song was directed by actor and director Paul Schrader.