Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is a hard rock band that first formed in New Jersey in the early 1980s. Lead vocalist Jon Bon Jovi recorded a song, "Runaway", in 1982, then signed to Mercury Records. The original band consisted of David Bryan on keyboards, Alec Such on bass, Tico Torres on drums, and Richie Sambora on guitar. "Runaway" became the first single from their debut album, Bon Jovi (1984), and it charted as the band's first hit. The followup album, 7800 Fahrenheit (1985), featured the hit "In And Out Of Love".success came with their third album, Slippery When Wet , released in 1986. Hits included "Livin' On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name". In 1988, New Jersey was released, and featured the hits "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There For You". This would be the last album from the band for a few years.Bon Jovi split up in 1990, with Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora releasing solo albums in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The band's fifth album, Keep The Faith (1992), though successful, was met with some criticism.A greatest hits compilation, Croos Road, came out in 1994, and featured three new songs, including the hit "Always". It would be the last album to feature bassist Alec Such. Such was interviewed in a magazine article, stating that Jon Bon Jovi's criticism of his playing was getting to him. Shortly after, Such was fired from the band, though the band denies that it had anything to do with his magazine interview.Bon Jovi released their sixth album, These Days, in 1995. It featured such hits as "This Ain't A Love Song", but overall, the mood on the album was very melancholy.Jon Bon Jovi released his second solo album in 1998, and guitarist Richie Sambora followed up with his second solo album in 1999. Besides his music career, Jon Bon Jovi started an acting career, starring in action movies like "U-547".In 2000, Bon Jovi released their seventh album, Cruch. The band recaptured some of their past glory, in songs like "It's My Life". By this time, Alec Such's vacant spot in the band was filled by bassist Hugh McDonald, but McDonald was never listed as an official member of Bon Jovi, since he never appeared in newer band photos. Nonetheless, this album helped give new life to Bon Jovi, and was their first album in eight years to receive both significant radio and video airplay. The band was elated that they had somehow sailed past the 'alternative craze' of the 1990s, without losing most of their loyal fanbase. Later that year, keyboardist David Bryan released his first solo album, composed of instrumental piano tracks.As a reward to their loyal fans, Bon Jovi released their first live album, One Wild Night : Live 1985-2001, in 2001, which captured the band during some of their best live shows around the world. A year later, Bounce (2002), reached #2 on the Billboard charts, while the single, "Everyday", charted in the top 40.For their next album, Bon Jovi decided to rerecord their greatest hits as acoustic-tinged ballads. The resulting album, This Left Feels Right (2003), sold well, though some fans and critics considered it an awkward album.. The single, "Who Says You Can't Go Home", was redone with country singer Jennifer Nettles, and turned Bon Jovi into the first rock band to have a hit on country music charts. This milestone would also be the inspiration for the band's next album.The album, Lost Highway (2007), was the first Bon Jovi album to be released exclusively in the country music market. Bon Jovi seemed to leave their glory days in the 80's far behind with this release. They are currently on tour to support the album. Though Bon Jovi has grown and matured in the past 25 years, they continue to be one of the most successful rock bands in the world.