Bon Jovi: Everything to know about the 'Livin' On A Prayer' legends
Find out more about the iconic rock band
Bon Jovi are the American rock band who have produced some of the most iconic songs of all time - including 'Livin' on a Prayer', 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Always', which has now surpassed one billion views on YouTube. They've sold over 100 million record worldwide, which unsurprisingly makes them one of the most successful rock bands of all time.
With four decades under their belt and 15 studio albums, Bon Jovi show no signs of slowing down - so it comes as no surprise that they now have their very own documentary. To celebrate their impressive career, we've answered the biggest questions about the band right here, including their songs, albums, members, how to watch their documentary and when they'll tour next.
Who is in the band?
Bon Jovi have had several members over the years since they formed in 1983. The band currently consists of Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, Tico Torres, Hugh McDonald and Phil X.
Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan and Tico Torres all joined the band in 1983, with Jon providing lead vocals and playing the acoustic and rhythm guitar - plus the all-important maracas. David Bryan plays the keyboard and piano, providing backing and occasional lead vocals. Tico Torres plays the drums, percussion, as well as offering backing and occasional lead vocals.
Joining the band in 1994, Hugh McDonald plays bass guitar and provides backing vocals, while Phil X plays rhythm and acoustic guitar, talk box and backing vocals, occasionally providing lead vocals too.
Past members include Richie Sambora and Alec John Such, who sadly passed away in June 2022 of a heart attack. The band shared a statement upon hearing the news, saying they were "heartbroken" and that he'd been "integral" to the formation of the band.
Will Richie Sambora reunite with Bon Jovi?
After being a founding member since 1983, Richie stepped down as lead guitarist in 2013 to spend more time with his family. He reunited with the group in 2018 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and told Absolute Radio in February 2023 that he was "open" to a full reunion.
"We're talking about it," he confirmed. "I don't think there's any reason not to at this point. I don't know when Jon’s going to get his voice together and (when the Bon Jovi reunion is) going to happen, but we have to get out there and do it for the fans really. I feel a second obligation."
How old is Jon Bon Jovi?
Jon Bon Jovi was born on 2nd March 1962 which makes him currently 62-years-old. He is the founder and frontman of the Grammy Award-winning band, but has also released two solo albums.
In September 2024, Jon Bon Jovi was praised for talking down a woman from a ledge on Nashville bridge. The singer was filming a Bon Jovi music video in the vicinity when the woman climbed over the railings and stood on the ledge.
After talking to the woman, Jon helped convince her to return to the walkway before he hugged her.
How many albums have Bon Jovi released?
Bon Jovi have released 15 studio albums to date. The band first released their debut album in 1984 under the title 'Bon Jovi', before going onto release their second in 1985 called '7800° Fahrenheit.' Since then, they have released an album nearly ever two years, with their latest released in 2020, titled, 'Bon Jovi: 2020.'
In January 2024, Bon Jovi announced 40th anniversary 'Bon Jovi' reissue with unreleased studio recordings. In March 2024, they also announced they would be releasing a new album in June 2024, called 'Forever'.
Are Bon Jovi still together?
Yes! The band have stuck together through the ups and down and regularly release new singles and albums for their fans.
The band also still perform together, touring the world for two years between 2017-2019 with their smash hit tour 'This House Is Not for Sale.' The band were also set to tour their new album in 2020, but the '2020 Tour' was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They later performed on the 'Bon Jovi 2022 Tour' in 2022.
Are they touring?
Bon Jovi are not currently on tour, with Jon vowing not to do so with the band until he sounds "great", following medical treatment for an atrophied vocal cord.
The news came about following the singer being questioned about his 'struggling' vocals during the band's 2022 tour. In February 2024, Jon Bon Jovi appeared at the Pollstar Live! conference in Los Angeles and when asked about his vocal issues, said: "I've had major reconstructive surgery in my vocal cords, and I never had anything like this ever."
He then revealed that one of his vocal chords had been replaced with a plastic implant, adding: "My health has been the first and foremost topic of discussion, but I'm well on the road to recovery there. If I can't be great, I'm out."
Bon Jovi's documentary
After an incredible career, showing no signs of stopping soon, the first-ever official documentary series about Bon Jovi’s history is now officially here! The documentary - titled Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story - was released on Disney+ in the UK on Friday 26th April 2024.
Marking the 40th anniversary of Bon Jovi’s recording career, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story was made with the full cooperation of past and present members of the band. In an interview with our sister station Absolute Radio, the band even revealed that during the making of the documentary, they unearthed ‘a treasure trove' of unreleased songs.
When asked if the band would ever release the unreleased tracks, Bon Jovi said: “Yeah, there's probably 30 songs that we found because we've always known that on so many of our albums, we'll write 30 to get 10.
“So there's a treasure trove of material but there's some really good songs that in retrospect I go, 'How did that not make the record?'”
What’s Jon Bon Jovi’s real name?
Jon Bon Jovi's real name is John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.
Where is Bon Jovi’s restaurant?
JBJ Soul Kitchen is in Red Bank, New Jersey. It is a community, non-for-profit restaurant that asks customers to pay a donation for their food, rather than putting a price on their menu.
How did Bon Jovi get famous?
1983: Where it all started
After gaining recognition for some of his early work, Jon Bon Jovi decided to tour his single 'Runaway' in 1983, asking David Bryan, who in turn called Alec John Such and Tico Torres to help them.
1984: Gaining a record deal
Once the foursome played showcases and started to open tours for local artists, word spread about the upcoming band which led to Bon Jovi being signed to Mercury Records by record executive Derek Shulman.
In January 1984, Bon Jovi released their debut album, Bon Jovi, which included the singles 'Runaway' and 'Roulette.' 'Runaway' peaked at Number 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100, with the album reaching Number 43 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
The band went on to open for the Scorpions and Kiss in the same year.
1985: First worldwide headline tour
With their partial success of their debut and second album, Bon Jovi then headlined a tour in Japan and Europe, which caught the attention of the mainstream press, and gained them a legion of fans across the globe.
They then toured the US for six months, supporting Ratt, while also making various festival appearances alongside the tour.
1986: The band's first Number 1
It was in 1986 when Bon Jovi hit the jackpot. Releasing their third album 'Slippery When Wet', the album went straight to Number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, spending eight weeks at the top.
The band released 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer' as singles, with both peaking at Number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The same year, 'Livin' On A Prayer' won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance, the band won an award for Favourite Pop/Rock Band at the American Music Awards and an award for Favourite Rock Group at the People's Choice Awards.
It's estimated the band ended up making an impressive $28,400,000 in 1986.
1988: MTV ban Bon Jovi's music video
In 1987, Bon Jovi released their fourth album 'New Jersey', which reached Number 1 in the UK, US, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The singles from this album included 'Bad Medicine' and 'I'll Be There for You', both Number 1 records.
Another five of the singles reached the top 10, giving Bon Jovi the record for the most Top 10 singles produced by a hard rock album. The music video for 'Living In Sin' ended up being banned from MTV for sexual content, which again, pushed the band to the forefront of the media. It was soon re-edited and allowed back on TV screens.
1992: A four year hiatus
Following a four year hiatus, Bon Jovi reunited in 1992, releasing their fifth studio album 'Keep the Faith.' The album produced the Top 10 hit 'Bed of Roses' and 'Keep the Faith', which reached Number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.
The band went on to tour the album, performing in 37 countries, playing to 2.5 million fans across the globe.
1994: A shock firing
After another successful two years, Alec John Such was fired from the band, with bassist Hugh McDonald replacing him. However, one year later, in 1995, Bon Jovi decided to take a sabbatical.
1999/2000: Comeback
Announcing their comeback in 1999, Bon Jovi released their seventh album 'Crush', which featured the single 'It's My Life.' The single introduced the band to a much younger audience than ever before, with the band receiving two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album 'Crush' and Best Rock Performance by Duo/Group for 'It's My Life'.
The video for 'It's My Life' also won the My VH1 Music Awards for 'My Favorite Video.'
2010: Making history
After recording and releasing another four albums between 2000 and 2009, Bon Jovi announced a 12 night run at the 02 Arena in London in 2010, which grossed them a huge $18,178,036.
The Circle Tour was the highest-grossing concert tour of the year, with Pollstar reporting the tour made Bon Jovi $201.1 million in total after playing 80 venues worldwide. The band ranked as Billboard's and Pollstar's Top Touring Act of the Year and they also came second on Forbes magazine's list of the world's highest paid musicians, earning an approximate $125 million income that year.
2013/2014: A new band member
In 2013, Richie Sambora quit the band and was replaced by Phil X.
2018: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Bon Jovi were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 after over 1.1 million votes were cast in a fan ballot to indite them.
2020: The band release a new album
Bon Jovi released their 15th studio album, 'Bon Jovi: 2020' in 2020. However, their accompanying tour for the album was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: Bon Jovi join YouTube's Billion View Club
In July 2021, 'It's My Life' became the band's first song to reach one billion views on YouTube. The track was released in May 2000.
2021: Ivor Novello Award
Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were honoured with special Ivor Novello Award in September 2021. The two former band members received the Special International Award for their three-decade songwriting partnership with Bon Jovi.
2023: MusiCares Person of the Year award
Jon Bon Jovi 'humbled' to receive prestigious honour for his music and charity work. Jon was awarded with the MusiCares Person of the Year award for his musical contributions and philanthropic efforts.
2023: Richie Sambora reveals he wants to reunite with Bon Jovi
In November 2023, Richie Sambora revealed that he thinks that Bon Jovi's 40th anniversary in 2024 would be a great time for a reunion tour. Richie had previously said he was 'ready' to reunite with the band.
2023: Bon Jovi releases 'Christmas Isn't Christmas'
Bon Jovi released a new Christmas song in November 2023, which was the band's first new track in over three years. The song was accompanied by a music video, filmed at Santa's Pub in Nashville, Tennessee.
2024: Jon Bon Jovi gives touring update
In February 2024, Jon Bon Jovi gave an update on his health, which saw him vow not to return to touring with the band unless he sounds 'great'. The singer explainer that one of his vocal chords had completely worn away, and he now has a plastic implant in its place. He explained: "I've had major reconstructive surgery in my vocal cords, and I never had anything like this ever," containing: "They put a plastic implant in it for the last almost two years now. I've been in this rehab, getting it back together, but I'm getting very close."
He then explained that he won't return to full-time touring until his voice is ready, saying: "My health has been the first and foremost topic of discussion, but I'm well on the road to recovery there. If I can't be great, I'm out".
2024: Bon Jovi announce new album 'Forever'
Following the release of Bon Jovi's single called 'Legendary' in March 2024, the New Jersey band announced a new album, featuring the new song. The band's 16th studio album will be released on 7th June, and features 12 tracks.
2024: Bon Jovi documentary and unreleased tracks
On 26th April 2024, Bon Jovi's first ever official documentary series landed on Disney+ in the UK. Titled Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, the series details Bon Jovi's history, and marking the 40th anniversary of their recording career it was made with the full cooperation of past and present members of the band.
Talking about the making of the documentary to Absolute Radio, Jon Bon Jovi even revealed that it aided them in discovering 'a treasure trove' of unreleased songs, with the singer keen to release them all one day.
You can hear Bon Jovi on the Absolute Radio playlist.
Now read:
Bon Jovi through the years: How the rock band have changed
A third Bon Jovi video has hit one billion views on YouTube
Jon Bon Jovi addresses vocal issues and vows not to tour unless he sounds 'great'