Bon Jovi, the legendary rock band from New Jersey, is celebrating their 40th anniversary in style. With four decades of success, they continue to dominate the music scene. In honor of this milestone, the band of brothers has prepared for an incredible year ahead.
Bon Jovi, the legendary rock band, is celebrating their 40th anniversary with a series of exciting releases and projects. First, they dropped a new single called “Legendary” from their upcoming album, Forever. They also released a limited edition ruby-colored vinyl LP to commemorate the anniversary of their iconic Bon Jovi album. And to top it all off, they have a four-part docuseries on Hulu called Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.
Bon Jovi rose to fame in the 80s with their distinctive sound and look. Hits like “Livin On A Prayer,” “You Give Love A Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive” dominated the radio and MTV. They became known for their ability to blend hard rock and pop, their epic music videos, and their energetic live performances. With over 100,000,000 fans and numerous awards from The Grammys, MTV, CMT, Billboard, and American Music Awards, Bon Jovi became international superstars.
Now, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit 21 of Bon Jovi’s most iconic moments throughout their four-decade-long career. From their humble beginnings in New Jersey to their massive success with albums like Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, Bon Jovi has left an indelible mark on the rock music scene. Their dedication to their craft, their unique style, and their philanthropic efforts serve as inspiration for aspiring musicians, models, and do-gooders alike.
Jon Bon Jovi, born John Francis Bongiovi Jr., grew up idolizing another New Jersey legend, Bruce Springsteen. He began his music career as a janitor at a recording studio in New York City, where he learned the value of hard work and determination. Eventually, he formed the band Bon Jovi, which included Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, Alec John Such, and David Bryan. Together, they achieved unparalleled success by blending hard rock with catchy pop hooks.
Their self-titled debut album, Bon Jovi, was released in 1984 and featured their first hit, “Runaway.” The album set the stage for their future success. Their second album, 7800 Fahrenheit, continued their rise to stardom with hits like “Only Lonely” and “In And Out Of Love.” However, it was their third album, Slippery When Wet, that catapulted them to superstardom. Songs like “You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Livin’ On A Prayer,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive” solidified their place in rock history.
Bon Jovi’s follow-up album, New Jersey, paid tribute to their home state and continued their streak of hits. Tracks like “Lay Your Hands On Me,” “Bad Medicine,” and “Born To Be My Baby” all became Top 10 hits. In the midst of their chart-topping success, Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, and they have remained happily married to this day.
During a hiatus from recording and touring, Jon Bon Jovi wrote the soundtrack for the film Young Guns II, while Richie Sambora released his solo album, Stranger In This Town. The band’s fifth album, Keep The Faith, marked the end of their original lineup but still produced hits like the title track, “In These Arms,” and “Bed of Roses.”
Throughout the late 90s to today, Bon Jovi continued to release chart-topping albums, including These Days, Crush, Bounce, Have A Nice Day, Lost Highway, The Circle, What About Now, Burning Bridges, This House Is Not For Sale, and their most recent album, 2024’s Forever.
In addition to their musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi has also found success as an actor, appearing in TV shows and films. Furthermore, both Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora became owners of the AFL team Philadelphia Soul from 2004-2008, expanding their footprint beyond the music industry.
Jon Bon Jovi’s philanthropic efforts are also noteworthy. He founded the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation in 2006, aiming to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through partnerships and programs. The foundation includes JBJ Soul Kitchen, which provides meals for both paying and in-need customers.
In recognition of their songwriting talents, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. And in 2018, they were admitted to the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
After years of singing his heart out, Jon Bon Jovi underwent vocal fold medialization surgery in 2022 to preserve his voice. With the procedure’s success and his dedication to daily voice exercises, he will continue recording and performing for years to come.
To honor his incredible 40-year career, Jon Bon Jovi was named the 2024 MusicCares Person of the Year. This achievement is a testament to his enduring impact on the music industry and his unwavering dedication to his craft.
