The iconic American rock band bon jovi members is known around the world for its solid songcraft and an arsenal of All-American songs that have found acceptance on a global stage. The group’s first major hit came in the form of “Runaway” back in 1982, and since then the band has released 12 studio albums, 13 live albums, and a number of singles. It has sold more than 120 million records worldwide and is one of the most successful bands in history. The band consists of singer Jon Bon Jovi, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Alec John Such, drummer Tico Torres and guitarist Richie Sambora. The members of the band have remained constant over the years, and with the exception of drummer Tico Torres and lead guitar player Dave Sabo (who left to form Skid Row) Bon Jovi has been intact for 23 years.
The band reached major success in the mid to late 1980s with hits like You Give Love a Bad Name and Wanted Dead or Alive, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. It is estimated that the band has sold more than 130 million albums worldwide.
In the 1990s, Bon Jovi expanded its horizons and ventured into film composing, releasing soundtracks for Moonlight and Valentino, among others. Jon Bon Jovi also dipped his toes in acting, appearing on the television series Ally McBeal as well as several independent films.
Bon Jovi’s third album, Slippery When Wet, was a definite departure from heavy metal and saw the band embracing storytelling rather than simply banging out rock. This was the key to its massive commercial success, with songs such as You Give Love a Bad Name, Wanted Dead or Alive and Livin’ on a Prayer becoming the unmistakable soundtrack of the mid-to-late 1980s.
After the release of Slippery When Wet, bassist Alec John Such was fired from the band, supposedly due to poor live performances (although his “tell-all” interview with Dave Ling may have played a part). He was replaced by session musician Hugh McDonald, who has been a member of the band ever since and is credited on every album since the release of These Days.
In 2015, Bon Jovi released Burning Bridges, a record that saw the band rewriting, re-recording and reinventing some of their biggest hits in a new light. The following year, Bon Jovi issued an acoustic compilation called This Left Feels Right. It was followed in 2017 by the full-length Bon Jovi 2020, an album that was direct and politically charged — qualities that crystallized on the singles American Reckoning and Do What You Can. Throughout the year, the band has continued touring, playing to fans everywhere and remaining a household name. Despite some turmoil, the band has managed to stay together through it all.