
02/07/2025
Formed in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, Bon Jovi broke into the mainstream with their brand of radio-friendly rock anthems and charismatic performances. Fronted by Jon Bon Jovi, alongside guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such, the band’s third album, Slippery When Wet (1986), became a monster hit. Featuring classics like “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive,” the album sold over 28 million copies and defined the hair-metal era.
Their success continued with 1988’s New Jersey, which solidified their stadium-status with hits like “Bad Medicine” and “I’ll Be There for You.” Bon Jovi's music often balanced themes of love, struggle, and working-class values, resonating with global audiences. In the 1990s, they evolved musically, experimenting with more acoustic and pop influences in albums like Keep the Faith and These Days. Richie Sambora’s guitar work and Jon Bon Jovi’s lyrical sincerity remained central to their sound, helping them transition into the adult-contemporary sphere.
Bon Jovi has sold over 130 million records globally and is one of the most enduring rock bands of all time. Even after Sambora’s departure in 2013, the band continued to tour and release new material. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 and continue to be ambassadors for American rock, admired for their philanthropic endeavors and longevity in an ever-evolving industry.