The story of the band Bon Jovi with its main 'drawcard' Jon Bon Jovi (real name John Francis Bongiovi: Perth Amboy, 2 March 1962) can be classified as 'from paperboy to millionaire'. Bon Jovi (New Jersey, USA) started in 1982 as a cleaner in the Power Station studio in New York (owned by his cousin, producer Tony Bongiovi). But it didn’t stop at cleaning because during quiet hours – when the studio was unoccupied – he was allowed to record some tracks. He was lucky; some good musicians happened to pass by (including Bruce Springsteen’s keyboardist Roy Bittan) and his first successful song 'Runaway' was born. It became a local hit in 1984 due to frequent airplay on local New Jersey radio stations. When Mercury Records sensed a successful opportunity, the band was formed around singer Bon Jovi with keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Alec John Such, drummer Tico Torres and guitarist Richie Sambora. The debut album Bon Jovi was released in 1984. Interestingly, Bon Jovi was also working as a budding actor at that time. He turned down a role in the dance film Footloose to focus on music.
The second album 7800°Fahrenheit (1985) made it clear that the catchy rock was gradually conquering the USA and the rest of the world. The third album Slippery When Wet (1987) was the best-selling rock album of that year in the USA with sing-alongs like ‘Wanted Dead Or Alive’, ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ and ‘Livin' On A Prayer’. The latter single reached number 2 in the Dutch charts at the end of December 1986. Afterwards, the albums New Jersey (1988) and Keep The Faith (1992) followed. The hits ‘Bad Medicine’, ‘I’ll Be There For You’ and ‘Bed Of Roses’ were also sung along to in full in the Netherlands. It’s no coincidence that Bon Jovi performed two sold-out shows in Rotterdam’s Ahoy in April 1993.
New boost
In 2000, Bon Jovi’s success received a new boost with the album Crush. This was entirely thanks to the number 1 hit 'It's My Life'. Bounce was released in 2002. The first single from this album was 'Everyday'. In 2005, Bon Jovi performed at Live8. The band remained in the spotlight as the single 'Have A Nice Day' and the album of the same name were released in September 2005. Bon Jovi gave a concert in the Heineken Music Hall in September. That same month he received a diamond award at the World Music Awards for selling 100 million albums. Afterwards, the singles 'Who Says You Can't Go Home' and 'Welcome to Wherever You Are' followed.
They have no less than 9 songs in the Top 2000 of 2020, with the song Bed of Roses being the highest ranked (164). Over 140 million albums have been sold in the past 37 years.
Sunday Morning Classic: Keep the Faith
On 23 May 2021, the men of Bon Jovi were our guests as Sunday Morning Classic with the album "Keep the Faith" which includes the fantastic song "Bed of Roses".
Keep The Faith was a big step in Bon Jovi’s career. They reinvented themselves sonically and stylistically for their first album of the nineties. Gone are the days of fiery party anthems and flashy hairspray. Desolate images and a sense of restrained hope between isolation and despair are themes that flourish on this album. It also seems as if the concept of ageing appears, perhaps reflecting the band members’ own ageing.
For anyone who considers Bon Jovi a pussy band, listen to their expansive epic Dry County. This is ten minutes of emotional musical excellence. The story of a simple man who left his home to get his share in the oil business and loses everything he has is Bon Jovi’s magnum opus. Perfectly arranged so the listener can see the barren wasteland of the protagonist’s life, you are drawn in and held captive by the attention. However, the climax of the song begins around the five-minute mark. A dramatic build-up that sharply contrasts with the previously established slow tempo turns into a ripping guitar solo that Dave Murray would be proud of. I never doubted Richie Sambora’s guitar skills, but this is where he really shows his capabilities.
Another album highlight is the sensual, pulsating In These Arms. Mainly built around Alec John Such’s thumping bassline that provides the steady backbeat, imagine a more aggressive version of Where The Streets Have No Name. The tender Bed Of Roses was the hit of the album when it was released. Some great lyrics were written by Jon. A much better affair than earlier ballads like I'd Die For You. If I Was Your Mother is a hefty slab of solid, blues-based rock n' roll. Loudly shouted choruses and slippery verses combine to make a Bon Jovi song I can headbang to.
The nineties were turbulent times for the big names of the previous decade. Bon Jovi, however, is one of the few bands I can say truly evolved into their current sound and Keep The Faith is where it all began. Instead of shouting at us, they went back to the blues. Instead of breaking out just a few chords per song and neglecting the almighty solo, Richie impresses more than ever. Mature rock ‘n roll at its best.
source: Jan Liebregts and NPO photo: Rosana Prada
