Jon Bon Jovi - Music Career

Music Career

In June 1982, Jon Bon Jovi recorded a song called Runaway. The studio musicians who helped record "Runaway" – known as The All Star Review – were guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, and bassist Hugh McDonald. He went to several record companies, including Atlantic Records and Mercury (PolyGram), but they all turned him down. Jon Bon Jovi visited major rock station WAPP 103.5FM "The Apple" in New York City. He spoke directly to the promotion director John Lassman, who accepted the song "Runaway" for inclusion on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. Runaway became a local hit. Along the way, Mercury Records gave Jon Bon Jovi a recording contract in 1983, and to promote Runaway, Jon Bon Jovi called up David Bryan who in turn called bassist Alec John Such, drummer Tico Torres. Tapped to play lead guitar was Jon Bon Jovi's neighbor, Dave Sabo who later formed the group Skid Row. Sabo was eventually replaced by Richie Sambora. After Jon Bon Jovi claimed he wanted a group name, a friend of Richard Fischer and an employee of Doc McGhee, suggested they call themselves Bon Jovi, following the example of the other famous last name bands such as Van Halen and Dokken. This name was chosen instead of the original idea of Johnny Electric. The band released their eponymous first album on January 21, 1984. The band became an international act in the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Slippery When Wet. Their fourth album New Jersey, which was released in 1988, became just as successful as its predecessor.

Following the group’s success, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were asked to assist in producing Cher’s self-titled album in 1987. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora co-wrote and sang backing vocals on Cher’s single "We All Sleep Alone" and also produced several other tracks on the album, later going on to co-produce Cher’s multi-platinum album Heart of Stone in 1989 and co-wrote the song Does Anybody Really Fall In Love Anymore?. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora also produced and co-wrote the song called Hell Is Living Without You on Alice Cooper's album Trash in 1989.

During the Slippery When Wet Tour in 1987, Jon Bon Jovi's attempt to give it his all during live shows and the tour's exhausting schedule greatly strained his vocal cords, and he began receiving steroid shots to help him sing. With the help of a vocal coach, he was able to continue doing the tour. Despite the band achieving massive success with Slippery When Wet and New Jersey, living on the road almost destroyed the strong bond between the band members. The band members were exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. Jon Bon Jovi note that, each band member went their separate way, even departing in separate jets after the New Jersey Tour ended in early 1990 which exceeded 232 shows on 5 continents.

In 1990, Jon Bon Jovi recorded a soundtrack to the movie Young Guns II more commonly known as Blaze of Glory. Having been originally approached by his friend Emilio Estevez to lend "Wanted Dead Or Alive" as the theme song for his upcoming Billy The Kid sequel, Jon Bon Jovi ended up composing an all new theme song for the film's soundtrack and delivering his first solo album. The album featured high profile guests such as Elton John, Little Richard and Jeff Beck. The title track, "Blaze of Glory" peaked at number one the Billboard Hot 100. In 1991 "Blaze of Glory" won an award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single at the American Music Awards and awarded a Golden Globe, as well. The song also earned Jon Bon Jovi an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy nomination.

In 1991 Jon Bon Jovi started his own label, Jambco Records, and produced Aldo Nova's album Blood on the Bricks and Billy Falcon's album Pretty Blue World. Disillusioned with the music business, despite all his success, and unhappy with the status quo, in summer of 1991 he set off on a two-week cross-country motorcycle trip that would significantly affect his creative juices.

In September 1991, he fired the band's long time manager Doc McGhee, business advisers, agents and created Bon Jovi Management. After that he put the band together. Upon resolving their issues, they returned with the album Keep The Faith, released in late 1992. Jon Bon Jovi cut his trademark hair and the band turned away from the 80's hair metal to simply rock n roll and introduce a more mature sound. The media focused considerable attention on Jon Bon Jovi's hair. When Jon Bon Jovi cut his hair he made headlines on CNN. Despite the rise of the grunge and alternative rock, adult contemporary-styled ballad hits include "Bed of Roses" and "Always" helped sustain the band’s popularity in the 90's.

Jon Bon Jovi, wrote what would become his second solo album, 1997's Destination Anywhere. A short movie of the same name was recorded right around the record's release, based entirely on the songs from the record and starring Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon and Whoopi Goldberg. The film debuted on both MTV and VH1 in 1997. After five years since their last studio album, the band returned in 2000 and released their seventh studio album, Crush. The lead single, "It's My Life" helped introduce the band to a new, younger fan base.