With 130 million albums sold and a legacy that includes a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, it’s safe to say Jon Bon Jovi has seen a thing or two in his four-decade career. But the legendary American rocker isn’t resting on his laurels—and he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. The singer and his bandmates recently released their seventeenth album, Forever, and have a new Hulu docuseries called Thank You, Goodnight: A Bon Jovi Story out now. Directed by Gotham Chopra, who also made documentaries about sports icons Serena Williams, Tom Brady and Kobe Bryant, the four-part series shines a light on a four-decade odyssey of rock megafame.
The show begins with Bon Jovi recalling skipping college (“there was no plan B”) and landing a job as a gofer at Power Station studios in New York City after his cousin helped him get a recording contract. It was there he recorded his first single, Runaway—a reaction to the wide-eyed streetwalkers thronging the Port Authority bus terminal on his way into town. The song’s success got him noticed, and he recruited friends including drummer Tico Torres, bassist Alec John Such and guitarist Richie Sambora to form Bon Jovi.
Known for their soaring power ballads underscored by soaring guitar riffs, the band rocketed to stardom in the ’80s and maintained that popularity into the 21st century. But it was their steadfast sense of family and community that helped them survive through the pitfalls of fame and fortune, and that’s something they still prioritize to this day.
In the docuseries, the band members open up about their families and how they balance touring with their off-duty lives. “I think that’s the reason we’ve lasted as long as we have,” Bon Jovi says. “It’s that core belief that we all need each other and that no one’s alone.”
He also discusses the time he and his bandmates were asked to perform at a wedding, joking that he was willing but not particularly happy about it. But he explains that the experience ended up being a blessing in disguise, as it forced them to dig deep and deliver their best performances ever.
With his heartthrob grin and trademark ‘do intact, Bon Jovi looks good for his age—and seems to have enjoyed most of it. But he’s not afraid to let fans know that the years have taken their toll on his body, and that he’s working hard to keep himself healthy. And he says he’s proud of his bandmates for sticking together through the ups and downs. They all love what they do and never want to slack off.