1983-Jon Bon Jovi (Bongiovi)Vocals1983-
David SaboGuitar1983-1984
David BryanKeyboards1983-
Alec SuchBass1983-1994
Tico TorresDrums1983-
Richie SamboraGuitar1984-2013
The first two Bon Jovi albums (Bon Jovi in 1984, 7800° Fahrenheit in 1985) earned some airplay and got them gigs opening for The Scorpions and Kiss. They honed their skills by playing any live as much as they could, so when they broke through with their third album, Slippery When Wet, they knew what they were doing on stage.
Jon Bon Jovi (real name: John Francis Bongiovi) used to be a janitor at the recording studio his cousin owned. Before forming the band, he used that studio to sing lead on "R2D2 I Wish You A Merry Christmas," a song from a Christmas-themed Star Wars album called Christmas In The Stars released in 1980.
Until he left the group in 2013, Sambora was the main songwriter along with Jon Bon Jovi, but they got considerable help from Desmond Child, who worked on every album from
Slippery When Wet in 1986 through
What About Now in 2013. Child, whose Bon Jovi co-writes include "
You Give Love A Bad Name" and "
Livin' On A Prayer," has also written for Aerosmith, Kiss, and Ricky Martin. Richie Sambora and Tico Torres helped out Child with his 1991 solo album
Discipline, appearing on the title track and "According To The Gospel Of Love."
The band has a unique business relationship. Jon Bon Jovi is the only member signed to the record label, and the other members are considered his employees. This has worked out very well, as Jon makes the business decisions.
Their debut self-titled album was originally going to be called "Tough Talk" but the record company insisted it simply be titled "Bon Jovi." Other working titles for subsequent albums are:
"Wanted Dead Or Alive" - later became "Slippery When Wet."
"Sons Of Beaches" - later became "New Jersey."
"Revenge" - later became "Keep The Faith."
"Not Bad For 5 Guys From New Jersey", "Free Beer", "Elvis Is Dead But We're Not" - joke titles by a mischievous Richie Sambora, the album was eventually titled "Cross Road."
"Open All Night" - became "Sex Sells" - became "Crush" when the song of the same name didn't work out and was dropped from the track list.
They did most of their damage on the charts in the '80s but have consistently released albums since. Thanks to their loyal fanbase, they had four #1 albums in the US well past their glory years: Lost Highway (2007), The Circle (2009), What About Now (2013), and This House Is Not for Sale (2016).
Dave "The Snake" Sabo was the original guitarist for Bon Jovi. He lasted only a few weeks and was replaced by Richie Sambora. Sabo went to form Skid Row a few years later.
Sambora was married to actress Heather Locklear from 1994-2007. He also dated Cher in 1990.
Jon Bon Jovi has appeared in several movies, including Young Guns II, Moonlight And Valentino, Little City, Homegrown, and Pay It Forward. Sambora was in On The Line and Stayin' Alive.
Derek Shulman, an A&R rep at Mercury records, signed the band in 1982. From 1971-1980, Shulman was a member of Gentle Giant, a group that made very complex music that sounded nothing like Bon Jovi. Even though Gentle Giant never crossed over to the pop charts, Derek developed an understanding of popular taste and what makes an artist successful. He
told Songfacts: "I saw the drive and the ambition of Jon Bon Jovi, despite the fact that he could only sing five notes and most of them out of tune. However, I could see the drive that he had in him to make it."
Jon's mother was a playboy bunny.
In 2001, Jon Bon Jovi gave the commencement speech at Monmouth University in New Jersey. He also received an honorary degree.
Jon Bon Jovi is good friends with wrestling superstar Diamond Dallas Page. They are both from New Jersey.
Alec John Such was fired from Bon Jovi in 1994 for poor live performances (although a "tell-all" interview he gave with Dave Ling may have played a part). Session musician Hugh McDonald has toured with Bon Jovi ever since. He had played on Bon Jovi's first single "Runaway" (as "Huey McDonald") and is credited on every album since These Days (1995). According to the Hugh McDonald website, Hugh has actually played on every Bon Jovi album since Slippery When Wet (1986). He is listed in the Thank Yous but not credited as the bassist.
They're very popular in the UK, and on August 19, 2000, became the last band ever to play at the old Wembley Stadium in London. They've never had a #1 UK hit though. In 2004, when VH1 UK viewers voted for the best songs never to reach the top spot, "Livin' On A Prayer" was #6 and "
Always" was at #10.
>>
Suggestion credit:
Julia - London, England
Sambora is colorblind to red, green, and brown.
>>
Suggestion credit:
Kelsey - Des Moines, IA
Jon Bon Jovi was a part owner of the arena football team the Philadelphia Soul when they formed in 2004. The league disbanded in 2009, and when it returned in 2011, the Soul had new owners.
Sambora released three solo albums while he was in the band: Stranger In This Town (1991), Undiscovered Soul (1998) and Aftermath Of The Lowdown (2012).
Jon Bon Jovi has released two solo albums: Blaze of Glory (1990) and Destination Anywhere (1997). David Bryan has released two instrumental solo albums: On a Full Moon (1994) and Lunar Eclipse (2000). He has co-written several musicals including Memphis and The Toxic Avenger.
Tico Torres is also an artist who was held exhibitions for his paintings. He owns a fashion label that designs baby clothes called Rock Star Baby.
>>
Suggestion credit:
Lee-Ann - Perth, Australia
