Bon Jovi has released 12 studio albums with his band; to date, the band has sold over 130 million albums worldwide. Bon Jovi has also released two solo albums. In the 1990s, Bon Jovi started an acting career, starring in the films Moonlight and Valentino and U-571 and appearing on television in Sex and the City and Ally McBeal.
As a songwriter, Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, Bon Jovi ranked #50 on the list of Billboard Magazine's "Power 100", a ranking of "The Most Powerful and Influential People In The Music Business". In 1996, People Magazine named him one of the "50 Most Beautiful People In The World". In 2000, People awarded him the title "Sexiest Rock Star", and he was placed at #13 on VH1's list of "100 Sexiest Artists".
Bon Jovi was a founder and majority owner of the Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul. He is the founder of The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, founded in 2006.
Early life:
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a son of two former Marines, barber John Francis Bongiovi Sr. and Playboy Bunny turned florist Carol (Sharkey). He has two brothers, Anthony and Matthew. His father was of Italian (from Sciacca, Sicily) and Slovak ancestry and his mother is of German and Russian descent. He has stated that he is a blood relative of singer Frank Sinatra. Bon Jovi was raised Catholic. He spent summers in Erie, Pennsylvania, with his grandparents, and sold newspapers. As a child, John attended St. Joseph High School, in Metuchen, New Jersey, during his freshman and sophomore years. He later transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, New Jersey.
Music career - Beginnings
Jon Bon Jovi began playing music in 1975, at the age of 13, playing piano and guitar with his first band, Raze. At 16, he met David Bryan and formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway. Still in his teens, Bon Jovi played in the band John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, playing clubs such as the Fast Lane and opening for local acts. By 1980, he had formed another band, the Rest, and opened up for New Jersey acts such as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
When he was seventeen, Bon Jovi was sweeping floors at his cousin Tony Bongiovi's recording studio, Power Station. In 1980, when Meco was there recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album, Tony Bongiovi recommended John for the song "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas", which became his first professional recording (credited as John Bongiovi).
In 1983, Bon Jovi 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" on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. Jon was reluctant, but eventually gave them the song, which he had rerecorded in 1982 (following a rough early recording in 1981) with local studio musicians whom he designated The All Star Review: Guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, and bassist Hugh McDonald.
Bon Jovi
In March 1983, Jon Bon Jovi called David Bryan, who in turn called bassist Alec John Such and an experienced drummer named Tico Torres. Guitarist Richie Sambora later joined the band; Bon Jovi, Sambora, Such, Bryan, and Torres became the founding members of Bon Jovi. In 1984 and 1985, Bon Jovi released their first two albums and their debut single "Runaway" managed to crack the Top 40. In 1986, the band achieved widespread success and global recognition with their third album, Slippery When Wet, which had sold 28 million copies worldwide as of 2011. Slippery When Wet included three Top 10 singles, two of which reached No. 1 ("You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer").
As of 2019, Bon Jovi has released 14 studio albums, five compilations and three live albums. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the bestselling American rock bands. Bon Jovi has performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 34 million fans. Bon Jovi was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 2018.
Solo career:
In 1990, Jon Bon Jovi recorded a soundtrack to the movie Young Guns II more commonly known as Blaze of Glory. Having been originally approached by his friend Emilio Estevez to lend "Wanted Dead Or Alive" as the theme song for his upcoming Billy the Kid sequel, Bon Jovi ended up composing an all-new theme song for the film's soundtrack and delivering his first solo album. The album featured guests such as Elton John, Little Richard and Jeff Beck. The title track, "Blaze of Glory", peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1991, "Blaze of Glory" won an award for Favorite Pop/Rock Single at the American Music Awards and awarded a Golden Globe, as well. The song also earned him an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy Award nomination.
Lost Highway Tour:
In 1991, Jon Bon Jovi started his own label, Jambco Records, and produced Aldo Nova's album Blood on the Bricks and Billy Falcon's album Pretty Blue World.
Bon Jovi's second solo album was 1997's Destination Anywhere. A short movie of the same name was recorded right around the record's release, based entirely on the songs from the record and starring Jon Bon Jovi, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon and Whoopi Goldberg. The film debuted on both MTV and VH1 in 1997.
In 2012, Jon Bon Jovi recorded a soundtrack to the movie Stand Up Guys more commonly known as Not Running Anymore. On December 13, 2012, it was announced that "Not Running Anymore" would be nominated for a Golden Globe Award.
Acting career:
Jon Bon Jovi is a credited actor in the movies Moonlight and Valentino, The Leading Man, Destination Anywhere, Homegrown, Little City, No Looking Back, Row Your Boat, Vampires Los Muertos, U-571, Cry Wolf, National Lampoon's Pucked, and New Year's Eve.[citation needed] He also had a supporting role in the movie Pay It Forward, where he played Helen Hunt's abusive ex-husband.[citation needed] His TV series appearances include Sex and the City, 30 Rock, Las Vegas, The West Wing, and an extended stint on Ally McBeal as a plumber who was Ally's boyfriend for a short period of time. He also had a brief, uncredited role in the 1990 film Young Guns II. On January 24, 2011, it was confirmed that Bon Jovi would be cast in the film New Year's Eve, released later that year, as a successful rock star who is connected with Katherine Heigl's character.
Sports franchises
In 2004, Bon Jovi became founder and primary owner of the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He appeared in several television commercials for the league, typically with John Elway, Hall of Fame quarterback for the Denver Broncos (and co-owner of the AFL's Colorado Crush). Bon Jovi is no longer part owner of the Soul. In 2011, Bon Jovi expressed interest in purchasing 15% of the Atlanta Falcons for $150 million.
In 2014, a group of investors including Bon Jovi made it to the final round of bidding to acquire the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League, but the team was sold to Terry Pegula, the owner of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.
Philanthropy:
Jon Bon Jovi has worked on behalf of the Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Covenant House, Project H.O.M.E., The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation), and other groups.
He has been named the first founding ambassador of the Habitat for Humanity Ambassador program as part of the international nonprofit organization's new advocacy outreach initiative. Jon Bon Jovi has been raising awareness with Habitat for Humanity since 2005 when he provided the funds to build six homes in Philadelphia and built the homes alongside the homeowner families, as well as with members of his Philadelphia Soul Arena football team. The construction site also served as the video shoot location for his band's single "Who Says You Can't Go Home". In 2006, he made a $1 million donation to build 28 Habitat homes in Louisiana in partnership with low-income families on the hurricane-stricken coast. In July 2007, Bon Jovi announced a project that will rehabilitate a block of 15 homes in north Philadelphia. During an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2005, the band donated $1 million to the Angel Network foundation.
The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) was founded in 2006 and exists to combat issues that force families and individuals into economic despair. Through the funding and creation of programs and partnerships, they support innovative community efforts to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. On October 19, 2011, they opened the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a community restaurant where patrons pay what they can afford for their meals, either with money or by volunteering work. On January 21, 2019, the restaurant provided free meals to government workers and family members who had been affected by the federal government shutdown.
He is one of 21 artists singing on "Everybody Hurts", a charity single organized by Simon Cowell aiding victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Political activism:
Although Bon Jovi's voter registration indicates that he is unaffiliated, he has supported and toured with many Democratic politicians. He toured extensively on behalf of presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004, appearing at and playing acoustic sets (with Richie Sambora) at rallies for the Kerry-Edwards ticket throughout the United States. Bon Jovi also played as a part of the Live Earth concert at the Meadowlands in 2007, and was introduced by former Vice President Al Gore. In 2008, Jon Bon Jovi supported Barack Obama for president, holding an exclusive private dinner at his home, as a fundraiser for his campaign. He also played at a 2009 Manhattan fundraiser for former Secretary of State and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to lessen some of her $6.3 million 2008 campaign debt. On Sunday, January 18, 2009, Bon Jovi performed a duet at the Obama Inauguration Concert of the Sam Cooke classic "A Change is Gonna Come" with Bettye LaVette. On June 4, 2009, Bon Jovi performed an acoustic benefit show for Democratic Governor Jon Corzine at the NJPAC in Newark, New Jersey.
On June 24, 2009, Bon Jovi, Sambora and Andy Madadian recorded a musical message of worldwide solidarity with the people of Iran. The handwritten Persian sign in the video translates to "we are one". On December 15, 2010, Bon Jovi was appointed by Barack Obama to the White House Council for Community Solutions. In 2017, Bon Jovi raised money for Jim Renacci, conservative Republican representative from Ohio's 16th congressional district and then a candidate for Ohio governor.
Personal life:
Graceland Wedding Chapel, where Jon Bon Jovi married Dorothea Hurley. The chapel has used it as a claim to fame ever since. During a stop in Los Angeles on The New Jersey Syndicate Tour in 1989, Bon Jovi secretly took a trip to Las Vegas, and married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley (born September 29, 1962), on April 29 at the Graceland Wedding Chapel. The couple has four children: a daughter, Stephanie Rose (born May 31, 1993), and three sons, Jesse James Louis (born February 19, 1995), Jacob Hurley (born May 7, 2002) and Romeo Jon (born March 29, 2004).
A former resident of Rumson, New Jersey, he established his Sanctuary Sound recording studio in the basement of his home there. Bon Jovi describes himself as a recovering Catholic. Bon Jovi is a close friend of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick. He owns two Super Bowl rings from the Patriots, and Bon Jovi was the first musical act to hold a concert at the Patriots' home field, Gillette Stadium.
Never Say Goodbye
Jon Bon Jovi Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And younger than the boys (that's right)
We were as still as the wind
That blows on a hot august night
And you were lonesome
As a jukebox
But deadly just the same
Then spit into the eye of a hurricane
And we knew how to laugh
And we knew how to cry
Yeah, we sure knew how to live
But we don't ever
Never say die
Never say die
I guess you'd say we had a pact
These words we knew so well (that's right)
Still they remained unspoken
And we'd take them to the fiery
Gates of hell
Once i was afraid of love
But when it's your brother
Those things change
'cause love is just another word
For trust
So hear me when i say
Never say die
Never say no
You got to look them in the eye
And don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die
Solo
Yeah, and we could run like lightning
Through the pouring rain
And we'll be standing like a soldier
Who comes marching home again
They ask what it is that i want written
On the gravestone where I'll lie
Tell them it's just my bones
That died there
So save the tears they'll cry
My spirit is still riding somewhere
Somewhere in this night
When it's these three words that come to me
As i kiss this world goodbye
Never say die
Never say no
You got to look them in the eye
And don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die
The song Never Say Die by Jon Bon Jovi is a powerful ballad about the bond between two men who have been through everything together. The singer portrays being somewhere between youth and old age, somewhere between a boy and a man. He describes his friendship with someone who is lonely and deadly all at the same time. The two friends share a deep understanding of each other, expressed through words unsaid. They have a pact, an unspoken bond of trust that they will take to the fiery gates of hell.
The song touches on themes of love, brotherhood, and survival. The singer emphasizes the importance of family, especially one's own blood, and the lengths one would go to protect and care for them. The message of the song is clear, 'never say die', meaning that one should never give up, always keep fighting and never let go of what you believe in. The lyrics paint a picture of men who have lived a full life, experienced immense joy and sorrow, but refuse to let go of their fighting spirit.
In conclusion, Never Say Die by Jon Bon Jovi is a song about brotherhood, trust, and resilience, telling a story of two friends who have been through everything together and always refuse to give up. The song carries an inspiring message that resonates with people around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
As we stood there older than men
Despite being older and more experienced, we still possess a youthful outlook on life
And younger than the boys (that's right)
We have an ageless spirit that keeps us feeling young at heart
We were as still as the wind
Despite the chaos around us, we remained calm and collected
That blows on a hot august night
Our tranquil demeanor was like a gentle breeze on a warm summer evening
And you were lonesome
You were feeling isolated and alone
As a jukebox
Your loneliness was palpable, like the silence between songs on a jukebox
But deadly just the same
Although you were feeling down, your inner strength and resilience remained intact
I could be as gentle as a newborn
I have the capacity to show tenderness and care to those I love
Then spit into the eye of a hurricane
But I am also capable of great courage and defiance in the face of adversity
And we knew how to laugh
We had a deep appreciation for humor and the ability to find joy in life
And we knew how to cry
We were not afraid to show vulnerability and express our emotions
Yeah, we sure knew how to live
Our experiences had taught us how to truly savor and appreciate life
But we don't ever
Despite our knowledge and life experience, there are some things that we will never do
Never say die
We will never give up or lose hope, no matter how difficult things may get
I guess you'd say we had a pact
We had an unwritten agreement to always be there for each other
These words we knew so well (that's right)
We had an unspoken understanding of what it meant to be true friends
Still they remained unspoken
Even though we had shared experiences and deep connections, there were some things that did not need to be articulated
And we'd take them to the fiery
These unspoken bonds were sacred to us, and we would be willing to defend them no matter what
Gates of hell
We were willing to face any challenge or obstacle, no matter how difficult it may seem
Once i was afraid of love
I used to be scared of opening up to others and showing vulnerability
But when it's your brother
But when you have a deep, unbreakable bond with someone, those fears are replaced by a feeling of safety and security
Those things change
The power of love and friendship can reshape how you see the world and others
'cause love is just another word
Love, and the bond it creates, cannot be fully expressed in words
For trust
But at the core of love lies trust and faith in one another
So hear me when i say
I want to make sure that my words are heard and understood
Never say no
We must always have an open mind and be willing to try new things
You got to look them in the eye
We must be confident in our convictions and stand up for what we believe in
And don't let go
We must be persistent and tenacious in our pursuit of our goals and dreams
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
There are some things in life that are worth fighting for, no matter the cost
And your own tears you'll cry
Making tough decisions and fighting for what you believe in can be painful and emotionally draining
When you're brought up to believe
Our upbringing and life experiences shape who we are and how we approach the world
That it's the strong who survive
We have been taught that survival is for the fittest and strongest, but we know that strength comes in many forms
Solo
Instrumental moment
Yeah, and we could run like lightning
We had a sense of invincibility and freedom that allowed us to move quickly and confidently through life
Through the pouring rain
Even in the face of adversity and challenge, we were able to find moments of joy and beauty
And we'll be standing like a soldier
Our courage and resilience were unshakeable, like that of a soldier returning from war
Who comes marching home again
We returned home victorious and proud of what we had accomplished
They ask what it is that i want written
People will inevitably ask what should be written on our gravestone
On the gravestone where I'll lie
The spot where we will be laid to rest
Tell them it's just my bones
All that will be left of us are our physical remains
That died there
Our physical existence will come to an end, but our spirit will live on
So save the tears they'll cry
There is no need for people to grieve for us, as we will live on through the memories of those who knew and loved us
My spirit is still riding somewhere
Our essence and energy will still be present in the world, long after we are gone
Somewhere in this night
Our spirit will continue to guide and inspire others, even in the darkness of the night
When it's these three words that come to me
There are three words that encapsulate our approach to life
As i kiss this world goodbye
As we depart from this physical world, these three words will remain with us
Never say no
We must always be open to new experiences and opportunities
You got to look them in the eye
We must face our fears and challenges head-on, without wavering
And don't let go
We must stay committed to our goals and dreams, even when the going gets tough
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
We must be willing to make sacrifices and fight for what we believe in
And your own tears you'll cry
The journey will not be easy, and we will experience pain and heartache along the way
When you're brought up to believe
Our upbringing and experiences have a profound impact on our outlook on life
That it's the strong who survive
We have been taught that only the strong and resilient will make it through life, but we know that strength comes in many forms
Never say die
Above all else, we must remain hopeful and resilient in the face of adversity
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JON BON JOVI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@haraaprilia9200
As I sit in this smokey room
The night about to end
I pass my time with strangers
But this bottle's my only friend
Rememberin' when we used to park
On Butler Street, out in the dark
Remember when we lost the keys and
You lost more than that in my backseat, baby
Remember how we used to talk
About busting out, we'd break their hearts
Together, forever
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Holdin' on, we've gotta try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye
Remember days of skipping school
Racing cars and being cool
With a six pack and the radio
We didn't need no place to go
Remember at the prom that night
You and me, we had a fight
But the band they played our favorite song
And I held you in my arms so strong
We danced so close
We danced so slow
And I swore I'd never let you go
Together, forever
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Holdin' on we've gotta try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye
Oh, and I guess you'd say
We used to talk about busting out
We'd break their hearts
Together, forever
Never say goodbye
Never say goodbye
You and me and my old friends
Hoping it would never end
Say goodbye
Never say goodbye
Holdin' on, we gotta try
Holdin' on to never say goodbye, yeah yeah
@user-tj3hp4pv1i
2024 Anyone????
@ranygo4350
here from korea!!
@cyberlegion9058
Me
@leeshepherdtrading
Yep. Cruising through the past in March 2024.
@LarissaSouza-et8ec
Sim !!! Em 20/03
@lucassoaressaback6374
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
@arquitectura1919
2024. Let's still enjoy these beautiful songs. Thank you "Bon Jovi".
@-BaladasRomanticas8090
Bon Jovi making history again. Who's here listening to this masterpiece in 2024?
@jennyramsey1000
This song was an icon!
@neliorosa6357
Eu 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷