Ahead of Bon Jovi’s 40th anniversary, the band looks back on their storied career and how they got here.
The leather-clad rock star, whose real name is John Bongiovi, began his career as a gofer at the N.Y.C. recording studio the Power Station in the ’80s. He moved up the ladder quickly and within a couple of years, released his first eponymous album, Runaway. Bon Jovi and his bandmates—keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarists John Shanks and Phil X, and percussionist Everett Bradley—hit it big with ‘Slippery When Wet’ (1986) and ‘New Jersey’ (1988).
They became known as one of the first bands to bridge the gap between arena-ready hard rock and pop with catchy melodies and slick guitar riffs. The group has sold over 120 million albums worldwide and is one of the best-selling modern bands in history.
Despite his fame and fortune, Bon Jovi has stayed a pretty clean-cut guy for the most part. He’s steered clear of drugs and sex, and the stadium-filling frontman has largely avoided the excess that characterized much of Eighties hair metal. During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, he explained how his early brush with addiction helped him to remain grounded.
Jon Bon Jovi is a spokesman for the American Heart Association and has helped raise millions of dollars for children’s health initiatives. He is also involved with several charity projects aimed at helping the homeless and has supported several military families. He has been honored by numerous music and entertainment industry organizations for his dedication to the arts and charity work, and he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1997.
While his bandmates have left and rejoined the group over the years, he has maintained a tight connection to bassist Hugh McDonald, drummer Tico Torres and guitarists Phil X and Richie Sambora. They have continued to record and tour together, with ‘Lost Highway’ (2007), ‘The Circle’ (2009), ‘Burning Bridges’ (2013), and ‘This House Is Not For Sale’ (2016) marking the most recent releases.
The singer says he and his wife, Dorothea Hurley, have lived in staid Rumson, N.J., but are moving to free-wheeling Malibu, Calif. They will have neighbors like Cagney and Lacey star Sharoni Gless and Sylvester Stallone’s daughter, Sophia.
They have two grown sons and a 6-year-old daughter. The couple also has a golden retriever named Lola. Jon has a strong relationship with his father, whom he credits with giving him the drive to succeed. In addition to his passion for music, he has a love of American history and an obsession with Benjamin Franklin. He has even written a biography of the Founding Father. He says that he thinks the country needs to return to more of an original, family-oriented values in this age of terrorism and political turmoil. The musician also has a deep appreciation for the role of women in his life. He calls his wife “the most solid and genuine person I’ve ever come across.” He once said, “When you find the right woman, you know it.” He has a long-standing relationship with Dorothea, who he describes as his best friend.