John Francis Bongiovi, Jr, known popularly as Jon Bon Jovi is a famous American singer, lyricist, music producer, actor and philanthropist, best known for his role as the founder of the rock band titled ‘Bon Jovi’, formed in 1983. In a career spanning more than 4 decades, Bon Jovi has produced numerous albums and sold more than 130 million music albums globally and is regarded as one of the Best-selling music artists in the world.
Known internationally for his music and his song-writing, Bon Jovi, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in the year 2009. He also ranked Number 50 in 2012’s list of “Power 100” by Billboard Magazine, which ranks the most influential and powerful people in music.
Jon Bon Jovi also featured on the “100 Sexiest Artists” list by VH1 and was awarded the title of “Sexiest Rock Star” by People Magazine. Hit Parader Magazine named Bon Jovi at number 31 on their list of “Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists”. He is also known for his philanthropic work.
Early Life and Education
Bon Jovi was born on 2 March 1962 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey to John Francis Bongiovi, Sr, a former marine and barber and Carol Sharkey, an ex Playboy Bunny who became a florist later. Bon Jovi was raised a Catholic along with his brothers Matthew and Anthony. He is of Italian and Slovak ancestry on his father’s side and Russian and German ancestry on his mother’s side.
Bon Jovi went to St. Joseph High School, in Metuchen, New Jersey and later attended Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, New Jersey, but was never academically inclined. He preferred to spend his time doing musical activities and often played in his cousin Tony Bongiovi’s band, which resulted in his getting poor grades. He started playing in clubs at the age of 16 and later started his own band ‘John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones’, later renamed ‘Bon Jovi’.
Career Rise
‘Bon Jovi’ struck gold with the 1986 album ‘Slippery When Wet’, that featured songs written by Desmond Child and the band became an overnight international sensation, selling 9 million copies in USA alone. Seeing how his musical collaborations proved successful, Bon Jovi collaborated with Cher on her self-titled album in 1987, for which he gave back vocals and co-wrote the song ‘We all Sleep Alone’.
By 1988, Bon Jovi entered the acting scene, making an appearance in the film ‘The Return of Bruno’. He also co-produced another album with Cher titled ‘Heart of Stone’. From mid 1988 to 1990, the band went on an 18-month world tour post the success of their album ‘New Jersey’ which became a nationwide rage and topped almost all American musical charts.
Bon Jovi started his own record label titled ‘Jambco Records’ in 1994, gave one of the biggest hit albums of his career ‘Cross Road’, which became a huge success in Europe and UK. He continued his acting career and in 1996, appeared in the lead role in the film ‘The Leading Man’. In 1997, Bon Jovi released, ‘Destination Anywhere’, his first solo album, also a massive hit.
Bon Jovi reached the highest peak of his career with the album ‘Crush’ that included the world-wide hit single ‘It’s My Life’, in 2000 which won him his first and only Grammy Award. Post 2002, Bon Jovi continued a movie and music career and even appeared on the TV series ‘The West Wing’. He was appointed to the White House Council, by President Obama towards community services in 2010.
Best Songs
The top 5 best songs of Bon Jovi is as under
5. Bed of Roses
4. Runaway
3. You give love a bad name
2. It’s my life
1. Always
Jon Bon Jovi – Wife
While he was on the New Jersey Syndicate Tour, Bon Jovi took a detour to Las Vegas, where he married Dorothea Hurley, his high school sweetheart on 29 April 1989 at Vegas’ Graceland Wedding Chapel. Together, they have four children; a daughter named Stephanie Rose, and sons Jesse James Louis, Jacob Hurley and Romeo Jon.
Jon Bon Jovi –Net Worth
Bon Jovi has an estimated net worth of approximately $410 Million. He is the owner of the Arena Football League team called the Philadelphia Soul and the founder of The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation.