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". 

The band then went to Vancouver to record another album. They lived together while they were recording. 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
, May 2006.]]

### 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
### Live albums
### Compilation albums
### Box sets
## Awards and nominations
### American Music Awards
### Billboard Music Awards
### Billboard Touring Awards
### Brit Awards
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### CMT Music Awards
### Echo Awards
### Grammy Awards
### Helpmann Awards
### Japan Gold Disc Awards
### Juno Awards
### Premios Oye!
### MTV Europe Music Awards
### MTV Video Music Awards
### My VH1 Music Awards
### Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
### World Music Awards
## Related pages
* Nirvana
* Pink Floyd
* Linkin Park
* The Beatles
* Led Zeppelin

## References