The band Bon Jovi has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and boasts an impressive roster of classic hits. Their third album, Slippery When Wet, topped the charts in 1986 and is considered one of the most successful rock albums of all time. Jon Bon Jovi has also launched a thriving acting career, starring in a number of films and television shows, including Moonlight and Valentino.
The son of a barber and a former Playboy bunny (his mother’s maiden name was “Baby Doll”), Jersey born Jon Bongiovi began playing music at age 14. He formed his first band, John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, at 14, with fellow musicians, opening up for local acts. By the time he was 19, Jon had recorded his first demo tape using studio musicians, which gained him some attention and led to a gig with a New York club.
He continued to record with other bands throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but it was not until Bon Jovi released their debut album in 1984 that they really started to take off. The self-titled album, along with a couple of follow-ups and a tour, garnered the band enough recognition that they were signed to Mercury Records.
Jon and his band mates began to stray from their heavy metal roots and worked with songwriter extraordinaire Desmond Child to create a more mainstream sound that would appeal to a wider audience. This move helped to make the band a megastar and their subsequent success has made them one of the most iconic groups in the world.
In the early ’90s, Jon Bon Jovi also pursued a burgeoning acting career with guest appearances on Ally McBeal and a couple of independent movies. He’s also acted on Broadway and is the host of a yearly television show, Bon Jovi LIVE!
With a wealth of chart-topping hits, a wildly popular tour schedule and a loyal fan base to boot, it’s not surprising that Jon Bon Jovi is one of the most beloved artists in the world. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 and has received numerous other accolades, including being named a People magazine ’50 Most Beautiful People’ and appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair in 1997.
The current members of Bon Jovi are Jon Bon Jovi, drummer Tico Torres, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Phil X and guitarist Hugh McDonald. The group has toured the globe and released 15 albums to date, with their 16th, Forever, set to hit stores in June 2024.
The band is based in Sayreville, New Jersey and has a dedicated following around the world. In addition to their successful musical career, Bon Jovi has been involved in a number of charitable projects and has raised money for many worthy causes. They have been awarded with the Humanitarian Award from The International Center for Peace and Justice, the Keep A Child Alive Foundation and more. In 2019, the band celebrated their 30th anniversary with a special live show called Bon Jovi 30th Anniversary Tour.