Bon Jovi isn’t just a band, it’s a family. And just like any family, there are ups and downs. The band’s latest four-part documentary series on Hulu, Thank You Goodnight, explores the history of the legendary rock group and how it navigated through all of the major events that shaped the members and their music throughout the years.
Jon Bon Jovi, whose full name is John Francis Bongiovi Jr, was born and raised in Sayreville, New Jersey, the son of a barber and florist. He began playing guitar after he picked up the instrument from a neighbor in 1979. Despite skipping college (“there was no plan B”), Jon managed to land a gig working at a Manhattan recording studio and recorded his first single, “Runaway,” after hours. The song quickly caught the attention of local radio stations and the band had its first hit on their hands.
After Jon’s success, he recruited bassist Alec John Such and drummer Tico Torres to join his band. He then scouted local guitarist Richie Sambora, who was recommended to him by Such and Torres. Together they formed a band called Bon Jovi, which officially debuted in 1983. After their debut album, the band’s popularity exploded and they released 15 more albums, including this year’s Forever, which was their 16th overall release.
Over the years, Bon Jovi has experienced many ups and downs with their original lineup, but they are still going strong. In 2018, the band performed together for the first time since Sambora’s departure at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and Jon recently told People that there is no animosity between him and Sambora.
The frontman also addressed how his vocal cords have been impacted by the tour schedule, explaining that he has been diagnosed with loose vocal folds. He underwent a procedure in 2022, which was a vocal fold medialization surgery to alleviate the problem. Luckily, the surgery was a success and Jon has been performing again this year, including at a MusiCares benefit in February.
After Sambora stepped away from the band in 2013, Phil X (short for Phil Xenidis) joined as a temporary replacement for the Because We Can tour and eventually became a permanent member in 2016. Originally from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he started out with an accordion and switched to the guitar at age 12, influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and BB King. Phil has worked with a variety of artists, including Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, and Alice Cooper. He has also been featured in many of the band’s songs over the years, including “I Love the Way You Lie.”