Bon Jovi

One of the best-selling bands of all time, Bon Jovi enjoyed massive success during the 1980s, thanks to a marketable sound that bridged the gap between arena rock and polished pop. Unlike many of their peers, the New Jersey natives sustained that popularity through the 1990s and well into the 21st century, maintaining their spot in the mainstream by embracing other genres—including adult contemporary and modern country—without abandoning their rock 'n' roll roots. Frontman Jon Bon Jovi was raised in Sayreville, New Jersey, where he formed the band in 1983. Joined by keyboardist David Bryan, guitarist Richie Sambora, drummer Tico Torres, and bassist Alec John Such, Bon Jovi released a self-titled debut album in 1984 and scored a Top 40 hit with "Runaway." 7800° Fahrenheit followed in 1985, but it was the 1986 album Slippery When Wet that truly brought Bon Jovi into the big leagues, selling over seven million copies in the US alone and producing hit singles like "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' On a Prayer." The follow-up album New Jersey was similarly successful, topping the album charts and producing five Top 10 hits, including the number one singles "Bad Medicine" and "I'll Be There for You." Exhausted after 16 months of touring, the band took a break before reconvening in 1992 for their fifth album, Keep the Faith. Another break followed their sixth release, These Days. The band returned to the charts with 2000's Crush, a multi-platinum album whose lead single, "It's My Life," topped the charts in 10 different countries. Bounce and Have a Nice Day followed in the early 2000s, and a duet version of "Who Says You Can't Go Home" with country singer Jennifer Nettles earned them a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration, as well as their first Number 1 hit on the Billboard country charts. Influenced by their time in Nashville with Nettles, the group cooked up a country-rock sound for 2007's Lost Highway, then returned to their hard-rock roots with The Circle in 2009. Richie Sambora left the band in 2013, one month after the release of What About Now, and was replaced by guitarist Phil X. This new version of the band released 2015's Burning Bridges, 2016's This House Is Not for Sale, 2020's 2020, and 2024's Forever, earning Top 20 hits on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart with songs like "Limitless," "Do What You Can," and "Legendary." Forever was released in the same year as the documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, which marked 40 years of the band.