Bon Jovi

After ushering in the era of pop-metal with their 1986 blockbuster Slippery When Wet and its hit singles “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” and “Living on a Prayer,” Bon Jovi wound up transcending the big-haired ‘80s, withstanding changes in style and sound to become one of the biggest American rock bands of their time, selling over 120 million albums worldwide, and sustaining their popularity well into the new millennium.

As the times changed, so did the band’s sound.

They slowly peeled away the arena rock guitars of the ‘80s, occasionally scoring on the adult contemporary charts and sometimes singing country music without ever rejecting hard rock, a move that illustrated how they never abandoned their roots and became second only to Bruce Springsteen in defining the sound and spirit of New Jersey rock & roll. Bon Jovi took their name from lead singer Jon Bon Jovi (born Jon Bongiovi), who spent his adolescence playing in local Jersey bands with David Bryan (born David Rashbaum).

Jon’s cousin, Tony Bongiovi, owned the celebrated New York recording studio the Power Station and Jon spent many hours there, working as a janitor and recording demos after hours, sometimes supported by members of the E Street Band or Aldo Nova.

One of those demos, "Runaway," became a hit on local New Jersey radio and lead to the formation of Bon Jovi the band, as Jon and Bryan were supported by guitarist Dave Sabo, bassist Alec John Such, and drummer Tico Torres.

“Runaway” spurred a major-label bidding war leading to a contract with Polygram/Mercury in 1983.

Before the group entered the studio, though, Bon Jovi replaced Sabo with Richie Sambora, a working guitarist with a long résumé including a stint as a member of Message. Bon Jovi released their eponymous debut album in 1984, generating a Top 40 hit with the original version of "Runaway." The following year, 7800° Fahrenheit was released and went gold, all serving as a prelude to the band's 1986 breakthrough, Slippery When Wet.

Paul Stanley had given Jon and Richie the phone number of professional songwriter Desmond Child, and together they wrote two of the album's biggest hits in Richie's parents' basement.

The trio composed 30 songs in total and auditioned them for local New Jersey and New York teenagers, basing the album's running order on their opinions.

Supported by several appealing, straightforward videos that received heavy rotation on MTV, the record took off on the strength of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” followed quickly by “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Those three Top Ten Hits helped propel Slippery When Wet to sales of nine million in the U.S.

alone, establishing Bon Jovi as superstars in their home country.

Their fame was not limited to the U.S., though, as the album also turned into a significant hit in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia. Bon Jovi built upon Slippery When Wet's formula with 1988's New Jersey, which shot to number one upon its release.

New Jersey was only slightly less successful than its predecessor, selling five million copies and generating two number one singles, "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You," as well as the Top Ten hits "Born to Be My Baby," "Lay Your Hands on Me," and "Living in Sin." Following the completion of an 18-month international tour, the band went on hiatus.

During the time off, Jon Bon Jovi wrote the soundtrack for Young Guns II, which was released in 1990 as the Blaze of Glory album.

The record produced two hit singles -- the number one title track and the number 12 "Miracle" -- and earned several Grammy and Oscar nominations.

The following year, Bon Jovi reunited to record their fifth album, Keep the Faith, which was released in the fall of 1992.

While the album didn't match the blockbuster status of its predecessors, it did produce a hit with "Bed of Roses," an adult contemporary-styled ballad that helped sustain the band’s popularity.

A greatest-hits album called Cross Road appeared in 1994 and yielded another Top Ten ballad, "Always." Around the same time, bassist Alec John Such left the band; Hugh McDonald, who appeared on Bon Jovi recordings stretching back as far as “Runaway,” became his unofficial replacement and featured prominently on the band’s next album.

Released in the fall of 1995, These Days turned into another U.S.

Top Ten, as well as a popular European hit.

After appearing in the 1996 film Moonlight and Valentino, Jon Bon Jovi released his first official solo album, Destination Anywhere, in the summer of 1997.

During the tail end of the '90s, the members of Bon Jovi engaged in different projects -- Sambora released a sophomore solo set called Undiscovered Soul in 1998 -- before easing back into work in 1999 via a song for EdTV, then beginning work on a full-length record.

The resulting album, Crush, appeared in 2000 and constituted something of a comeback in America thanks to the smash single “It’s My Life,” a cross-platform hit single with long legs.

“Thank You for Loving Me” also turned into a hit, helping Crush go double platinum in the U.S.

and selling eight million copies worldwide.

Bon Jovi quickly followed Crush with their eighth studio effort, Bounce, which appeared in fall 2002, and supported the record with another international tour.

In 2003, the band re-recorded many of its most well-known songs for the acoustic-based release This Left Feels Right, which also saw an accompanying DVD in 2004.

The ambitious outtakes and rarities box set 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong arrived later that November, followed by the all-new Have a Nice Day -- the first of several albums produced by John Shanks.

That album's success was aided in part by the single “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” featuring guest vocals from Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles, which eventually won the Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals -- as well as topping the charts in Japan, Australia, Europe, and Canada.

The band spent the following year in the studio, putting the finishing touches on a collection of pop-infused heartland country anthems.

The resulting Lost Highway, which featured duets with LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich, arrived in the summer of 2007 and grabbed the band a healthy new country music fan base in the process.

Lost Highway's cross-genre formula proved to be quite potent, securing the band its third number one album in the U.S.

Bon Jovi returned to rock shortly thereafter, though, with the release of the somber, searching The Circle in 2009.

One year later, Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection offered plenty of hits along with two new tracks, “No Apologies” and “What Do You Got?” ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Bon Jovi have been are the first headliner to be confirmed for Hard Rock Calling festival in London next summer, as well as announcing two other UK dates.

(BANG) -

Bon Jovi will play three dates in the UK next year, including headlining Hard Rock Calling 2011.

The 'It's My Life' rockers are to play three dates in the UK next summer - at in Edinburgh and Manchester, as well as headlining one of the nights of the festival, held in Hyde Park, London.

Hamish Dodds, CEO of Hard Rock International said: "2011 marks Hard Rock's 40th anniversary and there is no better way to celebrate than with Bon Jovi at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park

"Bon Jovi have been one of the world's most successful and beloved bands, but they have also been a friend of the Hard Rock brand for many years."

The group - who have sold over 120 million records in their 30 year career - sold out a 12-night residency at the O2 in London earlier this year, and guitarist Richie Sambora revealed the band still get a kick out of playing to large crowds

he said: "It feels great! We're still selling out stadiums for god's sakes! You know what? To actually remain contemporary after all these years is cool man - there's not many bands doing it and this thing is not stopping.

"We're having so much fun."

The band are to pick up a special Global Icon award at this year's MTV European Music Awards (EMAs) in Madrid on November 7, and are also expected to announce further dates across Europe next summer.

Tickets for all shows so far announced will go on sale on Monday (01.11.10).

Other headline acts and bands to play at Hard Rock Calling are yet to be confirmed.

Bon Jovi will be the inaugural recipients of the Global Icon award at this year's MTV European Music Awards (EMAs).

(BANG) -

Bon Jovi will receive the Global Icon award at this year's MTV European Music Awards (EMAs).

The American 'Livin' On A Prayer' rockers will collect the newly introduced trophy when the music channel's annual European ceremony takes place in Madrid, Spain, on November 7.

MTV executive Bruce Gillmer said: "There's no question that Bon Jovi has achieved iconic status across the globe and are widely recognised as one of the most beloved and influential rock bands of all time."

The band - who have sold over 125 million albums and scored number one hits in countries across the globe with tracks including 'Always', 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' - will also perform at the event.

Bon Jovi have also been inducted to the UK Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame during their career, and this summer completed a 12 night residency at London's O2 Arena.

Leading the nominations for this year's EMA awards are Lady Gaga and Katy Perry who are both in the running to win five categories, and go head to head with each other and 'Russian Roulette' singer Rihanna in three of them: Best Pop, Best Female and Best Song - some of the night's biggest awards.

Plan B, Shakira, Kid Rock, Kings Of Leon and Linkin Park are also set to perform at the awards.

Rockers Bon Jovi change their set list every night to keep their performances fresh and compared their London tour to working in a bakers.

(BANG) -

Jon Bon Jovi feels like a "baker".

The singer's group Bon Jovi are currently mid-way through a 12-date residency at London's O2 Arena and have been changing their set list every night.

Explaining their decision, the frontman said: "Would you buy yesterday's bread from a baker? These set lists are all made fresh. Delivered every night at 7:30. the delivery men wait outside my door, patiently for its arrival."

The group have already performed over 50 tracks from their 11 studio albums, but have vowed to bring in more tracks.

Speaking on stage last night (22.06.10) - the ninth show - Jon told the crowd: "I think we've done around 55 songs and I want to try and get it to 70."

He then went on to introduce `Garageland', the first time it had been aired during the residency, admitting it was likely only "diehard" fans would know the track.

The group interspersed classic favourites such as `Always', `Livin' On A Prayer', `You Give Love A Bad Name' and `Dead or Alive' with rarities and b-sides, yet the reception for every track was equally rapturous.

Though they are onto the last few dates of their residency, the group's energy was fresh as the first night and they appeared capable of sustaining the shows even longer if they were able to.