After two moderately successful albums, the group changed its approach and hired professional songwriter Desmond Child as a collaborator. Bruce Fairbairn was chosen to produce and, in early 1986, Bon Jovi moved to Vancouver, Canada to spend six months recording a third album. They named it Slippery When Wet after…
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In 1985, Bon Jovi’s second album, 7800° Fahrenheit , was released. The band released three singles: ” Only Lonely “, ” In and Out of Love ” and the ballad ” Silent Night “. The album peaked at number thirty-seven on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by RIAA…
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With the help of their new manager Doc McGhee they recorded the band’s debut album, Bon Jovi , which was released on January 21, 1984. The album included the band’s first hit single, ” Runaway “, reaching the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100 . The album peaked at…
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In March 1983, Bon Jovi called David Bryan, who in turn called bassist Alec John Such and an experienced drummer named Tico Torres , both formerly of the band Phantom’s Opera. Tapped to play lead guitar for a short tour supporting “Runaway” was Bon Jovi’s friend and neighbor, Dave Sabo…
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In 1983, Jon visited a local radio station WAPP 103.5FM “The Apple” in Lake Success, New York , to write and sing the jingles for the station. He spoke with DJ Chip Hobart and to the promotion director, John Lassman, who suggested Jon let WAPP include the song ” Runaway…
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By mid-1982, out of school and working part-time at a women’s shoe store, Jon Bon Jovi took a job at the Power Station Studios , a Manhattan recording facility where his cousin Tony Bongiovi was co-owner. Jon made several demos – including one produced by Billy Squier – and sent…
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Tico Torres was also an experienced musician, having recorded and played live with Phantom’s Opera, The Marvelettes , and Chuck Berry . He appeared on 26 records and had recently recorded with Franke and the Knockouts , a Jersey band with hit singles during the early 1980s.
Jon Bon Jovi began performing music live in 1975, at the age of 13, playing piano and guitar in New Jersey with his first band, Raze. At 16, Jon met David Bryan and formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway. Still in his teens, Bon Jovi played in the band…
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