1. Bon Jovi: The Formation of a Rock Icon
2. Early Collaborations and a Debut Album
3. A Series of Successful Albums
4. Slippery When Wet: A Breakthrough Success
5. A Brief Hiatus and a Solo Career
6. Reunion and Critical Acclaim
7. Ups and Downs and Continued Success

Bon Jovi: The Formation of a Rock Icon

Formed in New Jersey, USA, Bon Jovi was founded by Italian-American singer Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi on March 2, 1962). Joining him were former "Message" guitarist Richie Sambora (born July 11, 1959), keyboardist David Bryan (born David Rashbaum on February 7, 1962), former "Franke And The Knockouts" drummer Tico Torres (born October 7, 1953), and ex-"Message" bassist Alec John Such (born November 14, 1956).

Early Collaborations and a Debut Album

Bon Jovi met Rashbaum, who shared his passion for rock music, at Sayreville High School. They joined the rhythm and blues band "Atlantic City Expressway." When Rashbaum moved to New York to attend music school, Bon Jovi followed suit. He frequently visited "Power Station" recording studio, owned by his cousin Tony. Two years later, producer Billy Squier agreed to work on his demo tape. One track, "Runaway," gained local radio airplay and was included on a compilation album featuring local rock bands. It was then that Bon Jovi recruited Rashbaum, Sambora, Such, and Torres to form a band.

A Series of Successful Albums

In July 1983, they signed with "PolyGram Records" and opened for ZZ Top at "Madison Square Garden." The band gained attention, and Jon was offered the lead role in the musical film "Footloose," which he declined to focus on his music. Following the release of their debut album, "Bon Jovi," they toured with "Scorpions," "Whitesnake," and "Kiss." Their second album, "7800 Degrees Fahrenheit," was met with cynicism from critics who were already hostile towards the band's glam image and commercialized hard rock.

Slippery When Wet: A Breakthrough Success

The band responded with "Slippery When Wet," the best-selling rock album of 1987, despite its August 1986 release. Co-written with songwriter Desmond Child, three tracks from the album – "Wanted Dead Or Alive," "You Give Love A Bad Name," and "Livin' On A Prayer" – became hits on both sides of the Atlantic. Headlining Europe's "Monsters of Rock" festival, Bon Jovi joined Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley ("Kiss"), Dee Snider ("Twisted Sister"), and Bruce Dickinson ("Iron Maiden") for an encore performance of "We're An American Band." It demonstrated the speed at which Bon Jovi had ascended to rock stardom. Their 18-month tour concluded with dates in Australia, selling millions of copies of the album.

A Brief Hiatus and a Solo Career

1988's "New Jersey" included the track "Living In Sin," hinting at Jon's future solo pursuits. Much of 1989 was spent on various tours before the band temporarily disbanded. As Jon commented, "It was time to go off on my bicycle, into the mountains, and learn how to do and create something other than what is the recording of Bon Jovi." He subsequently focused on a solo career, married karate champion Dorothea Hurley, starred in his first film "Young Guns II," and released that film's soundtrack in 1990.

Reunion and Critical Acclaim

However, commercial pressure encouraged the revival of Bon Jovi. "Keep the Faith" proved to be a successful album, satisfying both critics and fans who had patiently waited nearly four years for new material. The success of the melodic ballad, "Always," topping the charts, proved the band had not lost their creative touch. A compilation of the band's songs, "Cross Road," took the number one spot in the UK charts in 1994. Rumors of bassist Such being replaced by Hugh McDonald emerged at this time. Meanwhile, Bryan released his solo debut on "Phonogram" in Japan, and Sambora married Hollywood actress Heather Locklear.

Ups and Downs and Continued Success

"These Days" (1995) was a successful blend of ballads and rock and featured the hit single "This Ain't A Love Song." Public opinion on the band at this time was sharply divided. In the annual readers' poll of leading UK metal magazine "Kerrang!," Bon Jovi topped seven categories, including best band, best album ("These Days"), worst band, and worst album ("These Days")! Jon continued acting, appearing in "Moonlight And Valentino" and "The Leading Man," and released the solo album "Destination Anywhere" in 1997. Two years later, the band reunited to record "Crush." They have continued to balance hard rock and AOR effortlessly and remain relevant to the present day.

Rock