The five members of Bon Jovi, a band that rose to the top of the hair-metal scene in the 1980s and stayed there for decades, have a story. It’s a story of how they changed their image, largely for the better, and it’s one that paved the way for their success in the 21st century.
Jon Bon Jovi was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, on March 2, 1962. He grew up on the New Jersey club circuit and began playing in bands as soon as he was 13 years old. He teamed up with keyboard player David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres and bassist Alec John Such to form the first version of Bon Jovi in 1983.
After releasing their first album, they were quickly recognized as a powerhouse act. They toured with a range of artists, including.38 Special, Ted Nugent and Eddie Money, and their reputation was established. They won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1984 and their second album, 1978 Fahrenheit, also reached the top of the charts.
When they released their third album, Slippery When Wet, Jon Bon Jovi felt like he had been taken advantage of and decided to take back control. He wrote the songs, and the record sold well. It contained such hits as You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive and Livin’ on a Prayer.
In 1990, the band took a break. They reunited in 1992 and released a greatest-hits album called Cross Road, which included such hit singles as “Always” and “These Days.”
Richie Sambora left the band in 2013 and was replaced by Hugh McDonald, who had been touring with the group since the early 1990s. In 2016, the two were confirmed as the official members of the band, bringing the number of members up to four for the first time in almost 20 years.
The rest of the band remained static throughout their career, with the exception of bassist Alec John Such, who left in 1994 and guitarist Phil X, who joined the group in 2016. However, Sambora was not on tour this year with Bon Jovi, as he has since 2014.
As of 2018, the band’s remaining members are Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, Alec John Such and Phil X. The band is currently working on a new album and hopes to release it later this year.
How Bon Jovi Stayed So Popular
The rock band from New Jersey soared to fame in the early 1980s, but it was not easy to remain successful in the industry for so long. During their first decade in the business, they faced legal challenges from cousin Tony Bongiovi, who claimed that he had helped advance their music career. Fortunately, the suit was settled in 1986.
During the 1990s, the band became increasingly involved in the political scene. They filmed public service announcements for the Red Cross and performed as part of the telethon for the NFL after the September 11 terrorist attacks.