Bon Jovi is an American hard rock band from New Jersey. The current members of the band are the lead singer and namesake ‘Jon Bon Jovi’, guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres and bassist Hugh McDonald.
Hugh McDonald replaced Alec John Such in 1994. This band is known for writing several rock anthems. They acheived their worldwide recognition after the release of their third album “Slippery When Wet” in 1996.
The formation of this band was the result of its lead singer Jon Bon Jovi who approached the local radio station WAPP 103.5FM “The Apple” in Lake Success, New York, to include his song “Runaway” in the station’s compilation album of local talents. Rest was history with the band members changing and finally settling with the current members. Once they began playing they were noticed by record executive Derek Shulman who signed them with Mercury Records.
They recorded their first album “Bon Jovi” in 1984, which also featured their first single “Runaway”. A year after its release it was certified Gold by RIAA. But it was their third album “Slippery When Wet” that gave them their break. “You Give Love a Bad Name” their first single became their number one single on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles charts. The third single of that album, “Wanted Dead or Alive” remains to be a hit till this day and is considered as the Bon Jovi “National Anthem”. “Slippery When Wet” had made them the superstars worldwide.
They went on to win many awards like the MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance, Favorite Pop/Rock Band at the American Music Awards and the award for Favorite Rock Group at the People’s Choice Awards.
Their next commerical hit came with their fourth album “New Jersey” released in 1988. It set the record for having five singles charting on the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in United States and still holds that record.
By 1990 the band had completed 16 months of concerts and were drained out physically, mentally and emotionally and decided to part ways. They got back together again in 1992 and came up with the album “Keep the Faith”, but was considered no longer to hold the same charm as before their split. They managed to get the attention of the younger generation with their 2000 single “It’s My Life”.
Bon Jovi has released 11 studio albums, 3 compilation albums and one live album throughout their career. In 2006 they were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame and Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora are inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.
Are you planning to attend a country music festival this year? How did Country polarize the rhythm-saturated masses of music lovers? It burst through the speakers unapologetically. The music is played with no pretense. Lately the genre has been mixing it up and pleasing more and more fans by adding a little more rock and roll (rockabilly) or a little more dance (techno-country). Every year groups of musicians band together to tour the states. After the success of the CMA Country Music Festival in 2009, the summer of 2010 burst open with more energy and even more diverse acts.