The debut album by Bon Jovi in 1986, Slippery When Wet, ushered in a new era of pop-metal music, with the hit singles “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.” In a short span of time, Bon Jovi had become one of the most successful American rock bands of all time. In the United States alone, the band sold nearly nine million albums. The band also enjoyed success overseas, including Japan, Canada, and Australia.
The band’s success was further reinforced by the induction of Bon Jovi into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and the induction of Richie Sambora into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. In 1996, Bon Jovi was named one of the world’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”
The band continues to tour and has released thirteen studio albums. Since its inception, Bon Jovi has sold over 100 million albums and played over two thousand concerts in over 50 countries. They also have more than 34 million fans worldwide. They continue to tour with their current lineup. Their latest album, “This House Is Not For Sale,” was released in September 2015.
Bon Jovi was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and graduated from Sayreville High School. Their first single, Runaway, gained popularity on local radio stations. The song’s success spurred the group to sign with the major label, Polygram/Mercury. Bon Jovi later replaced Sabo with Richie Sambora, a guitarist who had played in the band Message.
Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album was released on January 21, 1984. The album became a hit and went gold. In 1985, Bon Jovi released 7800deg Fahrenheit, which was a platinum selling album. It served as a precursor to their breakthrough album, Slippery When Wet, in 1986. While critics criticized the band’s formulaic style, the album became a major hit, and the band has continued to tour ever since.
The band released ten studio albums, nine of which went platinum. The band has also released 19 singles, including four that reached #1. Their albums have also garnered numerous awards, including three Grammy nominations and a Grammy for Favorite Pop/Rock Single. This has made Bon Jovi a top-selling group for over twenty years.
Following the release of the fourth album, “Runaway”, the band reunited to record a fifth album, Keep the Faith. This album was not a blockbuster, but it did contain the hit song “Bed of Roses.” The album went on to sell more than 100 million copies worldwide and reached the top spot on the Billboard 200. Bon Jovi was honoured with an Award for Merit at the 2004 American Music Awards for their work.