Bon Jovi defined the sound of the 1980s with big hair and even bigger choruses. You likely know the lyrics to "Livin' on a Prayer," but the band's history involves much more than just rock anthems. Jon Bon Jovi started his career singing about R2-D2. Furthermore, he worked as a janitor to get studio time. He even owns a restaurant where you pay with volunteer work. Let’s explore the life of the Jersey boy.
Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi landed his first professional recording gig on a Star WarsChristmas album. His cousin, Tony Bongiovi, ran the studio where they recorded the album Christmas in the Stars. Consequently, a young Jon sang lead vocals on the song “R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas” long before he became a rock god.
The band almost called themselves Johnny Electric. Jon wanted a name that sounded like a solo act with a backup band, but a friend suggested they follow the example of Van Halen. They eventually settled on Bon Jovi to sound like a cohesive family unit.
Jon worked as a janitor at The Power Station recording studio in New York City. He swept floors and fetched coffee for legends like The Rolling Stones and Queen while they recorded their hits. This menial job allowed him to record his own demos during the studio’s off-hours.
Their acoustic performance at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards directly inspired the MTV Unplugged series. Jon and Richie Sambora played “Wanted Dead or Alive” with just two acoustic guitars, which stunned the audience. The network executives loved the raw sound so much that they created an entire show based on the concept.
Jon Bon Jovi opened two community restaurants called JBJ Soul Kitchen where prices do not exist. Customers pay whatever they can afford, or they volunteer in the kitchen to cover the cost of their meal. This model ensures that families in need can enjoy a high-quality dinner with dignity.
A local radio station contest launched their career with the song “Runaway.” Jon recorded the track with a group of studio musicians rather than his actual bandmates. The station WAPP included the song on a compilation of local talent, and it became a surprise hit in the New York area.
He secretly married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, during a tour stop in 1989. They slipped away to Las Vegas without telling the band, the management, or their families. They remain one of the few rock and roll couples who have stayed together for decades.
Jon Bon Jovi built a successful acting career alongside his music. He appeared in movies like U-571 and Pay It Forward, and even played a boyfriend of Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. He proved he could memorize lines just as well as he could write lyrics.
Furthermore, he founded and owned a professional arena football team. He launched the Philadelphia Soul in 2004 and helped them win a championship just four years later. His involvement brought massive media attention to the Arena Football League before he eventually sold his majority stake.
Conversely, Jon originally hated “Livin’ on a Prayer” and wanted to leave it off the album. He felt the song sounded too ordinary until Richie Sambora added the famous talk-box guitar effect. That unique sound convinced him to keep the track, which became their signature anthem.
Interestingly, he often jokes about a rumor that claims he is related to Frank Sinatra. While he loves the idea of sharing DNA with the Chairman of the Board, no actual blood relation exists between the two singers. He simply admires Sinatra’s legacy as another famous New Jersey crooner.
Additionally, he wrote the hit song “Blaze of Glory” for the movie Young Guns II because Emilio Estevez asked for permission to use “Wanted Dead or Alive.” Jon felt the lyrics about a cowboy on a steel horse did not fit the period film, so he wrote a brand new cowboy anthem instead.
Meanwhile, guitarist Richie Sambora famously dated the pop icon Cher in the late 1980s. Their relationship bridged the gap between hair metal and pop royalty, drawing constant attention from the tabloids. This high-profile romance raised the band’s celebrity status even higher.
Subsequently, the band had to change the cover of their album Slippery When Wet at the last minute. The original photo featured a busty woman in a wet t-shirt, which Japanese censors and American retailers rejected. They quickly swapped it for a simple image of a wet black garbage bag with the title written in water.
Finally, Jon Bon Jovi received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Monmouth University in 2001. He delivered the commencement address and told the students to map out their own futures. Thus, the rock star technically holds the title of Dr. Bon Jovi.
