Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band formed in Sayreville, New Jersey in 1983. Bon Jovi is one of the world's best-selling bands of all time, having sold over 130 million records.

History

 Formation and Bon Jovi (1980–1984) 


The song Runaway which was written by Jon Bon Jovi and George Karak reached the first place in a radio talent contest in 1983. So Jon became the possibility to sign a recording contract. Coincidentally he founded Bon Jovi in 1983 with Richie Sambora, Alec John Such, Tico Torres, and David Bryan. The self-titled debut album "Bon Jovi" was released in 1984. The single Runaway was the band's first hit and reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.

 Fahrenheit and Slippery When Wet (1985–1987) 

Bon Jovi's second album 7800° Fahrenheit (1985) had also only moderate success. In fact, every member of the band had lost their girlfriend at the time, they were all heartbroken; those feelings were showing in the songs. Some members, especially Richie, were afraid because they had not put out a hit song since "Runaway".Bon Jovi: Vh1:Behind the music, season 3 episode 35, original airdate 2000/06/11, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyRfMRVUeq4 Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Vzn_soHj70 
Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lU9u2j9gD_8 ,Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAqXRlDPVrs. 

The band then went to Vancouver to record another album. They lived together while they were recording.Inside The Actors Studio - Bon Jovi, season 16, episode 2, original airdate 2009-11-16, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSej55T_M28V. In 1986, Bon Jovi's third album Slippery When Wet was released. It brought them some of the band's most successful songs, including You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer, and Wanted Dead or Alive.

Also involved was Desmond Child, Bruce Fairbairn, and Bob Rock, and Desmond co-wrote some of the songs on the album. "Slippery When Wet" has sold over 28 million copies worldwide. The Slippery When Wet Tour let the band become even more famous in Europe and North America.

 New Jersey, Keep the Faith and These Days (1988–1995) 

After the enormous success with Slippery When Wet and the following tour, Bon Jovi released their fourth album 1988's New Jersey. It was also successful and contained the hit Bad Medicine and the ballad I'll Be There for You. 

Between 1990 and 1992, the band members went their separate ways for a while. Jon Bon Jovi released his first solo album "Blaze of Glory", that served as the soundtrack for the movie Young Guns II. In 1992, Keep the Faith was released. The album signified a music genre change. Bon Jovi turned away from heavy drums and wild guitar solos, and their new sound was lighter and calmer than in the eighties. The piano had a bigger influence now and the lyrics had a different meaning. The song Keep the Faith is about social and religious problems.

The singles Bed of Roses, Keep the Faith and "In These Arms" reached the Top 40 in the United States. In 1994, Bon Jovi's first greatest hits album was released: The Best of  Bon Jovi, Cross Road. It includes the hits from 1983 to 1992 and two new songs. 

One of them, Always, became one of the most successful songs of Bon Jovi. "Always" is a love song and a power ballad written by Jon Bon Jovi alone. The 1995 album "These Days" was the band's sixth studio album. "This Ain't a Love Song" was the lead single of "These Days" who sold over 11 million copies all around the world.

 Crush and Bounce (1996–2002) 

From 1995, till, 2000, Bon Jovi had a longer break. The band members focused on solo projects and family. In 2000 the first album after 5 years was released: Crush. The album itself was not as prosperous as Slippery When Wet and Keep The Faith. 

However, the hit-single It's my Life became the most successful song of Bon Jovi. It reached the first place in the charts of many countries. The next album was Bounce in 2002. It's was influenced by the September 11 attacks.

The Circle

The Circle was released in 2009. They were on tour in 2010 in places like New Jersey. It consists of songs like We Weren't Born To Follow, Thorn In My Side, and Bullet.

What About Now

What About Now was released in 2013.

Members


Current members

 Jon Bon Jovi - lead vocals, rhythm guitars (1983‒present)
 Tico Torres - drums, percussion (1983‒present)
 David Bryan - keyboards, backing vocals (1983‒present)
 Hugh McDonald - bass guitar, backing vocals (1994‒present)
 Phil X - lead guitar, backing vocals (2011‒present)

Touring members

 Bobby Bandiera - rhythm guitars, backing vocals (2003‒present)
 Lorenza Ponce - violin, fiddle, backing vocals (2007‒present)
 Kurt Johnston - pedal steel, backing vocals (2007‒present)

Former members

 Richie Sambora - lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (1983‒2013)
 Alec John Such - bass guitar, backing vocals (1983‒1994; died 2022)
 Jeff Kazee - Additional keyboards, backing vocals (touring musician 2003‒2007)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales CertificationsUSAUSBon Jovi - Australian Chart History:
Top 100 (Kent Music Report) peaks to June 12, 1988:  N.B. there is a printing error in this book for "You Give Love a Bad Name" - its peak should be 32, not 23.  The Kent Music Report chart was licensed by ARIA between mid-1983 and June 12, 1988.
"You Give Love a Bad Name" (Kent Music Report) peak: 
Top 50 (ARIA) peaks from June 13, 1988: 
Top 100 (ARIA) peaks from January 1990 to December 2010: 
"Because We Can" (ARIA) peak: 
"This House Is Not for Sale" (ARIA) peak: AUTCANFINBon Jovi - Finnish Chart History:
1984–1995: 
1995–2012: GERNLSWESWIUKBon Jovi UK chart history:
Official Charts Company - Bon Jovi 
*Chart Log UK 
"This House Is Not for Sale":  Bon JoviReleased: January 21, 1984
Label: Mercury 43 39 — — 18 — — — — 71US: Platinum 
CAN: Gold
SWI: Gold
UK: Silver   Released: March 27, 1985
Label: Mercury 37 30 — — 6 40 — 10 11 28US: Platinum
CAN: Platinum
UK: Silver Slippery When Wet Released: August 18, 1986
Label: Mercury 1 1 2 1 1 11 5 3 1 6AUS: 6× Platinum

FIN: Platinum
GER: Platinum
NLD: Platinum
SPA: Platinum 
SWI: 2× Platinum
UK: 3× Platinum New JerseyReleased: September 19, 1988
Label: Mercury 1 1 5 3 2 4 13 1 1 1US: 7× Platinum
AUS: 2× Platinum
AUT: Platinum
CAN: 5× Platinum
FIN: Platinum
GER: Platinum
SWI: Platinum
UK: 2× Platinum Keep the FaithReleased: November 3, 1992
Label: Mercury 5 1 2 8 1 2 3 3 3 1 US: 1,591,000
 AUS: 165,000
 FIN: 51,126US: 2× Platinum
AUS: 3× Platinum
AUT: 2× Platinum
CAN: 5× Platinum
FIN: Gold
GER: Platinum
NLD: Platinum

UK: Platinum These Days Released: June 27, 1995
Label: Mercury 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 FIN: 10,203US: Platinum
AUS: Platinum
AUT: Platinum
CAN: 2× Platinum
FIN: Platinum
GER: Gold
NLD: Platinum
SWI: Platinum
UK: 2× Platinum CrushReleased: June 13, 2000
Label: Island 9 1 1 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 US: 2,071,000US: 2× Platinum
AUS: Platinum
AUT: Platinum
CAN: 2× Platinum
FIN: Platinum
GER: 2× Platinum
NLD: Platinum
SWI: 3× Platinum
UK: Platinum Bounce Released: October 8, 2002
Label: Island 2 5 3 3 2 2 2 4 2 2US: Gold
AUS: Gold
AUT: Gold
CAN: Platinum
GER: Platinum
NLD: Gold
SWI: Platinum
UK: Gold Have a Nice DayReleased: September 20, 2005
Label: Island 2 1 1 1 4 1 1 3 1 2 US: 1,552,000US: Platinum
AUS: Platinum
AUT: Platinum
CAN: Platinum
SWI: Platinum
UK: Gold Lost HighwayReleased: June 19, 2007
Label: Island 1 2 1 1 3 1 1 4 1 2US: Platinum
AUS: Gold
AUT: 2× Platinum
CAN: 3× Platinum
GER: Platinum
SWI: Platinum
UK: Gold The CircleReleased: November 10, 2009
Label: Island 1 4 2 1 6 1 4 9 1 2 US: 566,000US: Gold
AUS: Gold
CAN: Platinum
GER: Gold
SWI: Gold
UK: Gold What About NowRelease: March 8, 2013
Label: Island 1 1 1 1 3 2 2 1 3 2AUS: Gold
AUT: Platinum
CAN: Gold
GER: Gold
UK: Silver Burning BridgesReleased: August 21, 2015
Label: Mercury 13 3 1 4 9 1 2 25 2 3AUT: Gold This House Is Not for SaleReleased: November 4, 2016
Label: Island 1 1 1 3 10 3 8 10 2 5 US: 174,000AUS: Gold
AUT: Gold
UK: Silver 2020Released: October 2, 2020
Label: Island 19 3 2 19 24 3 20 3 3 5 ForeverReleased: June 7, 2024 
Label: Island 5 4 2 36 29 2 7 — 1 3   "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not released.

Live albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales CertificationsUSAUSAUTCANFINGERNLSWESWIUK One Wild Night Live 1985–2001 Released: May 22, 2001
 Label: Island 20 6 2 4 4 3 2 7 1 2AUT: Gold
CAN: Gold
EU: Platinum
GER: Gold
SPA: Platinum

UK: Platinum Inside Out  Released: November 27, 2012
 Label: Island 196 — — — — — — — — — This House Is Not for Sale – Live from the London Palladium  Released: December 16, 2016
 Label: Island — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not released.

Compilation albums

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales CertificationsUSAUSAUTCANFINGERNLSWESWIUK Hard & HotReleased: December 2, 1991
Label: PolyGram
Australian release only — — — — — — — —  — —  Cross RoadReleased: October 10, 1994
Label: Mercury 8 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 US: 5,000,000US: 7× Platinum

AUT: 3× Platinum

EU: 8× Platinum
FIN: 2× Platinum
GER: 2× Platinum
NLD: 2× Platinum
SWI: 3× Platinum
UK: 6× Platinum Tokyo Road: Best of Bon JoviReleased: March 28, 2001
Label: Universal
Japan release only — — — — — — — — — —  
JPN: 400,000 This Left Feels RightReleased: November 4, 2003
Label: Island 14 11 2 5 18 3 6 23 3 4US: Gold
AUT: Gold
CAN: Gold
GER: Platinum
SWI: Gold
UK: Platinum Greatest HitsReleased: November 29, 2010
Label: Island 5  1 2 1 6 2 3 1 3 2US: Platinum
AUS: 8× Platinum
EU: Platinum
FIN: Gold
GER: Platinum
SWI: Gold
UK: 5× Platinum

Box sets

+ List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications Title Album details Peak chart positions CertificationsUSAUTCANGERJPNNLUK 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be WrongReleased: November 16, 2004
Label: Island 53 50 48 37 13 40 90

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1988Bon JoviFavorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/GroupSlippery When WetFavorite Pop/Rock Album"Livin' on a Prayer"Favorite Pop/Rock Single1990Bon JoviFavorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group"I'll Be There for You"Favorite Pop/Rock Single2004Bon JoviAward of Merit

Billboard Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2008Bon JoviTop Touring Artist2011Bon JoviTop Touring Artist2012Bon JoviTop Touring Artist2014Bon JoviTop Touring Artist

Billboard Touring Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2008Philadelphia Soul Charitable FoundationHumanitarian Award2011Bon Jovi LiveEventful Fans' Choice Award2013Because We Can: The TourTop Tour AwardTop Draw AwardEventful Fans' Choice Award2016Bon JoviLegend of Live

Brit Awards

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CMT Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2006Who Says You Can't Go Home with Jennifer NettlesCollaborative Video of the Year2008Till We Ain't Strangers Anymore with LeAnn RimesCollaborative Video of the Year(You Want To) Make a MemoryGroup Video of the Year

Echo Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1996Bon JoviInternational Group of the Year2001CrushInternational Album of the Year by a GroupIt's My LifeInternational Rock-Pop Single of the Year2002One Wild Night Live 1985–2001International Album of the Year by a Group2003BounceInternational Album of the Year by a Group2006Have a Nice DayInternational Album of the Year by a Group2008Lost HighwayInternational Album of the Year by a Group2011Greatest HitsInternational Album of the Year by a Group

Grammy Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1997Live From LondonBest Music Video, Long Form2001It's My LifeBest Rock Performance by a Duo or GroupCrushBest Rock Album2003EverydayBest Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group2004MisunderstoodBest Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group2007Who Says You Can't Go Home with Jennifer NettlesBest Country Collaboration with Vocals2008Lost HighwayBest Pop Album(You Want To) Make a MemoryBest Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group2010We Weren't Born to FollowBest Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group

Helpmann Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2008Lost Highway TourBest International Contemporary Concert

Japan Gold Disc Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult 1989Bon JoviTHE GRAND PRIX ARTIST OF THE YEAR New JerseyTHE GRAND PRIX ALBUM OF THE YEARALBUM OF THE YEAR - Rock/Folk (Group) Division

Juno Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1987Slippery When WetInternational Album of the Year1994Keep the FaithBest Selling Album2008Lost HighwayInternational Album of the Year

Premios Oye!

YearNominated workAwardResult2002Bon JoviMejor Artista Internacional con Trayectoria en México

MTV Europe Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1995Bon JoviBest GroupBest RockBest Live Act2000CrushBest AlbumBon JoviBest GroupBest Rock2002Bon JoviBest Rock2010Bon JoviBest Live ActGlobal Icon

MTV Video Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1987Livin' on a PrayerBest Stage Performance in a VideoYou Give Love a Bad NameBest Stage Performance in a VideoWanted Dead or AliveBest Editing in a Video1991Bon JoviMichael Jackson Video Vanguard Award

My VH1 Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2001Bon JoviHottest Live ShowBon JoviMy Favorite Group

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult2013Bon JoviFavorite Music Group

World Music Awards

YearNominated workAwardResult1995Bon JoviBest Selling Rock Artist/Group2005Bon JoviDiamond Award2007Bon JoviBest Selling Rock Artist/Group2013Bon JoviBest GroupBest Live ActBest Album

Related pages

 Nirvana
 Pink Floyd
 Linkin Park
 The Beatles
 Led Zeppelin

References


Category:Glam metal bands
Category:American hard rock bands
Category:Musical groups from New Jersey
Category:Musical groups established in 1983
Category:1980s establishments in New Jersey
Category:1983 establishments in the United States