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Music · 1980s

Bon Jovi

Still with us 1962–present
Slippery When Wet, top seller of 1987breakthrough_album
Over 130 million records worldwiderecords_sold
Multiple Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppersus_number_one_singles
Inducted 2018rock_hall
Sayreville, New Jersey rootshome_base
The Turning Point

After two modest albums, Jon Bon Jovi and his New Jersey band exploded in 1986 with Slippery When Wet, fusing arena rock with pop hooks. Back-to-back No. 1 singles 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer' made it the best-selling album of 1987 and turned the band into global superstars.

Jersey Beginnings

Born John Francis Bongiovi Jr. in 1962, he idolized hometown heroes like Bruce Springsteen. He was gigging in clubs as a teenager and formed his namesake band in 1983.

Arena-Rock Domination

The 1986 album Slippery When Wet launched 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer' to No. 1. The record topped the charts for eight weeks and became the best-selling album of 1987.

Lasting Power

Bon Jovi reinvented the band repeatedly, scoring a 2000 comeback with 'It's My Life.' The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Career Timeline

  1. 1962John Francis Bongiovi Jr. born in Perth Amboy, NJ
  2. 1983Forms the band Bon Jovi in New Jersey
  3. 1984Self-titled debut album released on Mercury
  4. 1986Slippery When Wet becomes a worldwide blockbuster
  5. 1987'Livin' on a Prayer' tops Billboard Hot 100
  6. 1988New Jersey album yields five Top 10 hits
  7. 1990Solo soundtrack Blaze of Glory wins a Golden Globe
  8. 1992Band reinvents itself with Keep the Faith
  9. 2000'It's My Life' sparks a major commercial comeback
  10. 2018Bon Jovi inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Biggest Hits

1986
Livin' on a PrayerSignature anthem and US No. 1 single
1986
You Give Love a Bad NameFirst US No. 1 from Slippery When Wet
1987
Wanted Dead or AliveCowboy-themed Top 10 rock staple
1988
Bad MedicineNo. 1 lead single off New Jersey
1989
I'll Be There for YouPower ballad that hit No. 1
2000
It's My LifeComeback hit reaching a new generation
Did You Know
  • Record executive Derek Shulman anglicized John Bongiovi's surname to 'Bon Jovi' when the band signed in 1983.
  • Slippery When Wet was the first glam-metal album to land three Top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.

Portrait: David Shankbone · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

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