1983 to 1984

Arguably the biggest Hard Rock band to have emerged from America in the 80s, (the only other act vying for the title being GUNS N' ROSES). BON JOVI have stormed their way onwards and upwards, making the transition from commercially inclined New Jersey-ites with Metal pretensions, to multi platinum selling mainstream crossover appeal.

BON JOVI was originally the brain child utilised by a music addicted kid from Sayreville, New Jersey by the name of John Bongiovi to emulate his heroes BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and before any real ideas of superstardom entered his head. In fact, so desperate was he to see BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN at Madison Square Gardens in 1978, he got arrested for selling bootleg posters outside the venue in order to make enough money for a ticket.

The first record Jon ever bought was BOB DYLAN's 'Blood On The Tracks', although he soon developed a taste for heavier artists, like yet, never musically blinkered, quickly exposed himself to a whole plethora of other artists from a multitude of genres. Learning to play the guitar at 14, mainly to impress girls initially, its claimed that his guitar tutor once threatened him with a beating if Jon hadn't learnt 'House Of The Rising Sun' by THE ANIMALS within a week.

Opening his account in school bands, one musical encounter led to an entry into a talent contest at Sayreville Memorial High School in which Jon and his buddies performed KISS' 'Strutter', 'Takin' Care Of Business' by BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE and CHUCK BERRY's 'Johnny B. Goode'. For such sterling work Jon & Co were placed last!

A partner in most of Bongiovi's school bands was his buddy David Bryan Rashbaum, a promising keyboard player who attended a neighbouring school. Such early bands included JOHNNY AND THE LEECHES and RAZE. The pair quickly progressed to the fully-fledged club band ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY in 1978, an ambitious ten piece R&B outfit modelled on Bongiovi's other heroes, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY AND THE ASBURY JUKES.

A.C.E. not only played school dances and local bar mitzvahs, but built up something of a reputation for themselves on the South Jersey club scene (which included the almost legendary Stone Pony venue). The band supported the likes of PAT BENATAR, IAN HUNTER, ELVIS COSTELLO, EDGAR WINTER, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, with sets brimming with Motown and SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY covers.

Bongiovi was quick to recognise the benefits of networking with a great many of the individuals involved and formed solid friendships with SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and Little Steven Van Zandt from BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's E-STREET BAND in particular that remain to this day.

Nearing the dawn of the 80's, Bongiovi could be found pursuing a more Hard Rock oriented direction fronting THE REST, a local quintet that included one Jack Ponti on guitar. THE REST gave Jon the experience of collaborating on and playing original band material, as opposed to the cover material favoured by his previous groups. One song co-written by Jon and Jack Ponti for THE REST, 'Shot Through The Heart', would achieve greater notoriety for the pair in years to come. Demos would be produced by none other than BILLY SQUIER.

By far THE REST's biggest claim to fame was opening for HALL & OATES at the Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, playing to an estimated crowd of around 20'000 people. However, frustrated at the lack of label interest, Ponti decided to break the band up, leaving Jon out of a gig.

Still, now aged a mere 17, Bongiovi took up an offer from his second cousin Tony Bongiovi to work as a gofer at his Power Station recording studios in Manhattan for around $58 a week. The job enabled him to come into contact with a diverse selection of musicians from the famous to the not so famous. Indeed, it was whilst working at Power Station that Jon first met ALDO NOVA, the Canadian guitarist in town to record his debut album for Portrait Records.

Briefly flirting with his own bands on the New York club circuit, a dalliance with a group called THE LECHERS led to the formation of THE WILD ONES with his old school pal David Rashbaum. David had been studying at the famous Julliard School Of Music in New York in the interim, but would eventually give up his studies in order to join his long-time buddy on a permanent basis.

Working at Power Station had enabled Bongiovi to work on his own music in his leisure time and thus he enthusiastically cut a number of demos, made free of charge at Power Station during 'down time', including one with BILLY SQUIER and another with SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY.

having been impressed by Bongiovi's demos, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY invited THE WILD ONES to open some local shows (including a reportedly disastrous showcase gig for labels at The Ritz in Manhattan). None other than BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN himself was impressed enough by one of the songs to encourage GARY 'US' BONDS to record 'Don't Leave Me Tonight', but the major labels, as is their way, weren't even acknowledging the receipt of the tapes Jon would send them. Still, he did make a bit of cash singing lead on 'R2D2 I Wish You A Merry Christmas' on 'The Star Wars Christmas Album', a record produced by Tony Bongiovi and re-issued on CD some ten odd years later!

Undeterred, Jon assembled a, what would, in later years, be regarded as an All Star cast, to record a four song demo that featured the E-STREET BAND's Roy Bittan on keyboards and session men Tim Pierce on lead guitar, Hugh McDonald on bass guitar and Frankie LaRocka on drums.

Although the demo predictably failed to singe the ears of the record labels, Jon found a more positive response when playing it to Chip Hobart, the programme director at the New York radio station W.A.P.P.-FM. The station, the new kids on the block in the area, quickly began to give one of the four tracks, 'Runaway', air-time and the station went so far as to feature the song on the 1982 edition of their promotion album featuring local talent entitled 'Home Grown'. This was a common practice with many major North American stations and the track not only began getting airplay from syndicated stations outside New York, but the major labels ears finally pricked up into the bargain.

Both Atlantic and PolyGram were the leaders in the hunt for Jon's talents and it was the latter who emerged victorious. Jon signed, as a solo artist, to PolyGram's Mercury imprint on 1 July 1983, having first ensured that A&R man, Glasgow born Derek Shulman (a former musician himself, having fronted Progressive Rock legends GENTLE GIANT), would better Atlantic's final offer.

Jon's task now was to assemble a band. Although Mercury had been a little concerned about the use of his "too Italian" surname, at one stage JOHNNY LIGHTNING or VICTORY were suggested, Bongiovi decided to merely adapt his surname to suit, thus BON JOVI was born. And the band was assembled by going back to the clubs and headhunting first David Rashbaum then bassist Alec John Such, drummer Hector "Tico" Samuel Torres and, lastly, guitarist RICHIE SAMBORA.

Such was something of a New Jersey club veteran. At the time he was tapped for BON JOVI he was still playing covers in PHANTOM'S OPERA, a band he had originally joined in the late 60's, although he had recorded and been playing with MESSAGE at the time he got the call from Jon.

It was Such who introduced Jon to Tico Torres, who had a fairly lengthy career history already, having played in countless R&B groups, including COLD SWEAT, who had once appeared on the TV show 'Hullabaloo', PHANTOM'S OPERA and Motown stars the MARVELETTES. Tico had also played with PAT BENATAR back in her cabaret days, but had, more recently, been a full-time member of the MCA signed FRANKE AND THE KNOCKOUTS.

Jon had met guitarist RICHIE SAMBORA whilst on a promotion tour plugging the 'Home Grown' album for WAPP back in 1982. Sambora felt that he should be playing with Johnny B (at the time old school friend Dave 'Snake' Sabo was helping him out on guitar). Talking to Sambora some time later, Jon felt that Richie was indeed the suitable candidate for the job.

Sambora had been playing in the New York club band MERCY at the age of 19. MERCY went so far as to earn themselves a recording contract with LED ZEPPELIN's Swan Song label, Richie later playing with DUKE WILLIAMS AND THE EXTREMES, SHARK FRENZY and then finding himself in MESSAGE with Alec John Such, with whom he had also toured with in JOE COCKER's band. The Dean Fasano fronted MESSAGE recorded a hugely collectable mini album that now commands a three-figure sum if ever offered on the collector's market. During 1981 Sambora had also attended auditions for KISS upon the personal invitation of GENE SIMMONS.

Having agreed a management deal with McGhee Entertainment, headed by MÖTLEY CRÜE managers Doc McGhee and Doug Thaler, BON JOVI set to work on their debut album, originally titled 'Tough Talk', but released as simply 'Bon Jovi'.

The record itself was rather a hot potch. Seven of the album's tracks were brand new recordings, produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, but the others were considerably older. A decision had been taken to include the original version of 'Runaway', whilst 'She Don't Know Me' is of 1981 vintage and includes Hugh McDonald on bass, ALDO NOVA on keyboards and Chuck Burgi of BALANCE on drums.

This latter track is interesting as the original version of the song appears on the Cleveland, Ohio band FAIR WARNING's self-titled debut of 1981, was covered by PETER EMMETT on his 'The Peter Emmett Story'. More bizarrely it appears to have been plagiarised by FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS on their delayed third album 'Makin' The Point' released in 1984 (at the same time as BON JOVI's debut), which features Tico Torres on drums, titled 'You Don't Want Me (Like I Want You)'.

One of the more popular songs on 'Bon Jovi', 'Shot Through The Heart', was co-written by Jon and Jack Ponti back in the days of THE REST. Indeed, when Ponti's latest band SURGIN were signed by Capitol in 1985 their 'When Midnight Comes' album featured a Ponti fuelled rendition (Jon actually contributing backing vocals to for good measure).

The 'Bon Jovi' album was released in the spring of 1984 and, having played a number of club shows together before recording the album (including a date opening for SCANDAL), made more of an impact pre-album release by opening for ZZ TOP at Madison Square Garden in January. After which BON JOVI continued to open shows before the album came out, albeit for EDDIE MONEY in the Southern states.

It's interesting to note that when the album was first released in America and import copies filtered through into Britain prior to the album's release in Britain, the record attracted buyers on the strength of ALDO NOVA's aforementioned cameo appearance on keyboards. Nova had become something of a cult artist in Britain, thanks to his self-titled Portrait debut from 1982 and a tour opening for BLUE OYSTER CULT.

British rock fans were quick to pick up on the band in a big way later in the year when BON JOVI ventured over to Britain as special guests to KISS on the New York legends' 'Animalize' tour. BON JOVI had spent the summer in America touring with the SCORPIONS (a date at Madison Square Garden which was marred by the arrest of Alec John Such by the NYPD for wearing a gun on stage. The bassist was subsequently fined and released).

BON JOVI thus made their British live debut at the Brighton Centre on the Sussex coast on 30 September 1984 and, KISS tour completed, flew to Japan, a country that had embraced the debut album thus far more than most. All of this activity set the scene for BON JOVI to plan their second album in December, for release early in 1985.

1985

Having severed all ties with Tony Bongiovi in a row over publishing, a deal in which Doc McGhee had successfully enabled Jon to be released from, BON JOVI now entered the studio solely in the care of Lance Quinn to record '7800 Fahrenheit'. The record was so titled as this temperature is that at which rock supposedly melts, an album where David Rashbaum officially opted to leave his surname at the door and adopted his middle name of Bryan in its place.

With the album released in March 1985, April found BON JOVI opening their latest tour account back in Japan. Included was an ambitious date at the legendary Budokan Theatre in Tokyo, where they sold 9'000 seats in a 12'000 capacity venue - before setting out on a mammoth American trek opening for RATT. The group also found the time for dates in Europe, including Britain for a show at the Dominion Theatre in central London.

In August 1985 BON JOVI made their first appearance at the prestigious 'Monsters Of Rock' festival at Donington, third on the bill below ZZ TOP and MARILLION.

In September, BON JOVI also chose to appear at the inaugural 'Farm Aid' show in Champaign, Illinois, performing 'Runaway' and a brand new song especially written for the event, 'Heart Of America', that exposed their music to their widest audience yet. The band decided to record the new song at Sound Summit Studios in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and TED NUGENT's studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan with the intention of using it as a possible B-side to a single.

The record label's hopes for platinum sales for '7800 Fahrenheit' were dashed however, the record ultimately making it to gold status in the States in November 1985, although the band's market value had increased in other territories.

There was a distinct possibility that if BON JOVI's third album was not a hit record then the band was in danger of losing their deal with Mercury, support from Derek Shulman not withstanding.

 

Aware that Lance Quinn's production had not particularly done '7800 Fahrenheit' any favours, Jon Bon Jovi chanced upon the work of Canadian producer Bruce Fairbairn through playing BLACK N' BLUE's 'Without Love' album on the road.

1986 to 1987

Having earnt his reputation mainly through his work producing Canadian Melodic Hard Rock troupe LOVERBOY, Fairbairn agreed to produce BON JOVI's third album, with Bob Rock dealing with mixing duties. Recording would take place at Fairbairn's Little Mountain Studios in Vancouver, Canada.

Whilst Fairbairn and Rock's handling of the production certainly gave BON JOVI a massive lift up the ladder, one of the crucial elements in the making of the new album centred upon the collaboration on material with songwriter Desmond Child. The songwriter had briefly had a stab at stardom in his own right with the hugely underrated DESMOND CHILD AND ROUGE in the late 70s. However, aside from co-penning a couple of hits for KISS (1979's Disco crossover 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' and 1984's 'Heaven's On Fire') Child had enjoyed little in the way of success elsewhere. Indeed, he had been donating most of the royalties earnt from songwriting to the religious cult, The Akwensa Community, that he had joined during his fall into obscurity in the early 80's.

Introduced to BON JOVI by KISS' PAUL STANLEY, Desmond Child quickly developed a rapport with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora and, by the time they were finished, had concocted three songs together, including most notably 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Livin' On A Prayer'.

Previously to be titled 'Wanted Dead Or Alive' the record finally emerged as 'Slippery When Wet' preceded by the first single 'You Give Love A Bad Name'. The change of album title was inspired by many a visit to the strip joints on Vancouver's Orange Street, where one of the most popular attractions are the shower cubicles where the girls strip and soap up right before the punters naked steaming eyes.

The album's original artwork (a girl in a bright yellow 'Slippery When Wet' T-shirt fashioned after the caution signs on American highways) was vetoed by PolyGram in favour of a much duller design, although the Japanese market got the original sleeve.

The album would eventually hit the Number 1 spot in America, to emulate the success of 'You Give Love A Bad Name' in Billboard's singles chart. The second single, 'Livin' On A Prayer', would also go to the top of the charts Stateside.

The astounding success of the BON JOVI / Fairbairn / Child triumvirate prompted AEROSMITH to use both producer Fairbairn and song doctor Child to create 1987's 'Permanent Vacation' album, which enabled the Boston based group to re-establish themselves at the forefront of American Rock music.

The 'Slippery When Wet' tour ran for a good year and began modestly opening up for .38 SPECIAL (although the band had played some Canadian shows with JUDAS PRIEST before the album was released). The quintet came over to Europe in November 1986, opening their account at the Ipswich Gaumont with FM supporting (QUEENSRYCHE replaced them for shows at London's infamous Hammersmith Odeon and in Bradford).

The headlining trek in America started in earnest during December, the opening band being new Mercury signings CINDERELLA, who had released their debut album "Night Songs' earlier in 1986. CINDERELLA had been discovered by Jon Bon Jovi playing a club show in their native Philadelphia the previous year and Jon had quickly persuaded Derek Shulman that they were a band worth signing. Shulman promptly did so, albeit it meant that the band's original guitarist and drummer had to be dispensed with.

As a result of their exposure on the BON JOVI tour (and a stint with DAVID LEE ROTH in 1986) CINDERELLA's album followed 'Slippery When Wet' into the upper echelons of the American album charts, peaking at Number 3.

In August 1987 BON JOVI were back in Britain and returning to Donington, this time in a headlining capacity. The show climaxed with all star renditions of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD's 'We're An American Band' and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL's 'Travelin' Band' with guests PAUL STANLEY, IRON MAIDEN's vocalist BRUCE DICKINSON and TWISTED SISTER's Dee Snider.

 

'Slippery ...' tour finally ended in Hawaii in October 1987, by which time the album had sold around 13 million copies world-wide. The job in hand now was to attempt to emulate the success of 'Slippery When Wet'.

1988 to 1989

In May 1988 the band went back to Little Mountain with Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock to piece album number four together, four of the songs having been co-written with Desmond Child. In fact, BON JOVI recorded enough material to release a double package, but PolyGram balked at the idea of releasing such a set. The album, simply titled 'New Jersey", in honour of their roots, was released two years to the month since 'Slippery When Wet'. It sold around 6 million copies, with the first single 'Bad Medicine' following in the footsteps of 'You Give Love A Bad Name' and 'Livin' On A Prayer' by gracing the Number 1 spot in America.

Hitting the road again, opening the 'New Jersey' tour in Dublin during December '88, LITA FORD was booked to open the first portion of the tour in Europe. Once back in America the band took out their New Jersey based compatriots SKID ROW, who featured Jon's old school buddy Dave 'Snake' Sabo amongst their line-up. Jon and Richie had given SKID ROW a great deal of assistance in both financial and musical areas, paying for the recording of a professional sounding demo, participating in the songwriting and pre-production, bringing Doc McGhee in as manager and even, its alleged, securing the services of frontman Sebastian Bach by paying his ex manager $200'000 to free the singer from an existing contract.

Whilst Bon Jovi and Sambora received no mention in the songwriting credits on the SKID ROW album, the pair had been busy publicly collaborating elsewhere. The duo worked with ALICE COOPER, Bruce Fairbairn's pals LOVERBOY, BILLY SQUIER, JENNIFER RUSH and even TED NUGENT - whilst, back in 1987, Jon and Richie had made their first real moves into songwriting for other artists by working with Riche's new girlfriend, CHER.

The former beau of GREGG ALLMAN and KISS bassist GENE SIMMONS, CHER had signed a new recording deal with Geffen Records. It was a move designed to re-establish herself as a singer, in addition to her new found success as an in demand actress. Jon and Richie, in harness with Desmond Child, had not only written and produced the monumental 'We All Sleep Alone', a track destined to reach the Top 15 in America, but had also re-arranged her 1966 hit 'Bang Bang', which was performed by the entire BON JOVI line-up as backing musicians.

SKID ROW's self-titled debut album was released by Atlantic in early 1989 and the band first opened for BON JOVI in Dallas, Texas. The exposure of being on the BON JOVI tour naturally appeared to have reaped the same kind of massive dividends for SKID ROW as it had for CINDERELLA.

1990 to 2000

In January 1990 BON JOVI returned to Europe, this time supported by Mercury label mates and renowned Funk Rockers DAN REED NETWORK. JON BON JOVI's much anticipated solo album 'Blaze Of Glory', a tie in with the movie of the same name, found the singer exploring his cowboy fixation even further and spawned a number one American single. The album soon went multi-platinum. The singer would even get in a brief but timely acting debut in the movie.

BON JOVI returned to a Rock scene in the full roaring gale of a Grunge explosion. Many acts of BON JOVI's ilk had withered and died in the interim and the band's harder edged 'Keep The Faith' comeback at first found it heavy going. However, misconceptions as to the music purveyed on the record began to melt away and the band's most gruelling international tour schedule took the album into multi platinum territory much to the consternation of their detractors.

Although the band had been put on ice whilst Jon and Richie pursued solo projects, Tico devoted more time to his painting and David worked on further film scores. BON JOVI briefly reunited at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, New Jersey on January 31, 1998 to play a benefit show for the family of murdered police officer Sgt. Patrick King who had been killed on duty in November 1997.

BON JOVI were joined by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, LITTLE STEVEN, SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and former E STREET BAND men Clarence Clemons and Max Weinberg (the latter employed these days as the drumming band leader on Conan O'Brien's late night TV chat show). The event reportedly raised in the region of $110, 000 for Sgt. King's wife and sons.

After a lengthy lay off BON JOVI bounced back with 2000's 'Crush'. Lead single 'It's My Life' shifted over 1.7 million copies in its own right and the top ten album soon outstripped its predecessor, gaining double platinum status in America with tour dates selling out in record time. Quite incredibly 'Crush' was stamped Platinum status in over 25 countries. As with 'Faith' BON JOVI had seemingly defied the critics and bounced back into the major league for a third time. The bands status would be recognised when Bon Jovi and Sambora put in an expensive benefit gig for presidential candidate Al Gore with tickets going for $1'500 plus. The band broke their own record at London's Wembley Arena in August of 2000 with two consecutive sell out gigs. By the time BON JOVI had wound up their 'Crush' world tour their combined album sales had surpassed the 85 million mark. DAVID BYRAN prepared his debut solo album 'Lunar Eclipse' for a late 2000 release.

2001 to 2007

In early 2001 a BON JOVI tribute album was issued that included many familiar faces from the mid 80's era of BON JOVI's rise to stardom. The main musicians comprised of WARRANT members guitarists Erik Turner and Jerry Dixon with keyboard player Danny Wagner. Contributing vocalists were WARRANT's Jani Lane ('Lay Your Hands On Me'), L.A. GUNS Phil Lewis ('Wanted Dead Or Alive'), RATT's Jizzy Pearl ('Bad Medicine'), BULLETBOYS Marq Torien (Livin' On A Prayer'), TUFF's Steevi Rachelle (“In And Out Of Love'), HURRICANE's Kelly Hansen ('You Give Love A Bad Name') and UNION's John Corabi ('Born To Be My Baby').

The bands live album 'One Wild Night' predictably scored well on the international charts fired by the studio title track's hit status. The album would also include a nod to some inspiring forces too with covers of NEIL YOUNG's 'Rockin' In The Free World' and an unexpected treatment of the BOOMTOWN RATS 'I Don't Like Mondays'. Between dates in the UK promoting the live record Jon Bon Jovi would take time out for a more cerebral challenge on June 15th addressing the Oxford Union debating Society at Oxford University.

BON JOVI's 2001 American summer dates witnessed a brief onstage reunion with original bassist Alec Jon Such during a gig in Philadelphia.

Later that year plans emerged for a new studio album with the rumoured title of 'Bounce'. The band also announced their inclusion as part of the 'Twenty Years With AIDS' benefit festival appearing alongside such luminaries as ELTON JOHN, STING and MATCHBOX TWENTY. Although BON JOVI the band was publicly inactive throughout early 2002 JON BON JOVI maintained his high profile starring in the popular TV series 'Ally McBeal'.

The highly anticipated 'Bounce' album, produced by Bon Jovi, Sambora and Luke Ebbin and preceded by a single 'Everyday', would be confirmed for a September release. 'Everyday' was to host demos for three tracks that would eventually not make the final running order of the album. Japanese editions of 'Bounce' featured the traditional extra tracks in the form of 'No Regrets' and 'Postcards From The Wasteland'. Promotion included the novelty of a an appearance in New York's Times Square on the 5th of September to mark the start of the NFL season upfront of a live set performed during half time at the Giants Stadium at the New York Giants vs. San Francisco 49'ers game.

BON JOVI cut a new album 'This Left Feels Right' for November 2003 issue, this release comprising familiar favourites performed acoustically with radical re-worked arrangements. The album was something of a last minute decision as the original intention had been to issue a live album based on acoustic sets recorded in Japan on the 'Bounce' tour. Produced by Pat Leonard, the record included a mellowed out version of 'Livin' On A Prayer' seeing JON BON JOVI duetting with actress Olivia D'Abo. Although previously announced, the brand new tracks 'Thief Of Hearts' and 'Last Man Standing' did not make the final running order.

Bringing 'This Left Feels Right' to the live stage, BON JOVI performed two mid-November at The Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Filmed for subsequent DVD issue the band was joined by additional musicians guitarist Bobby Bandiera and keyboard player Jeff Kazee from SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY DUKES along with percussionist Everett Bradley. Oddly the support act for these shows would be a stand up comedian. BON JOVI performed the 'This Left Feels Right' material as well as a rendition of DR. HOOK's 'Sylvia's Mother' and the new originals 'Last Man Standing' and 'Thief Of Hearts'.

In mid 2004 the band announced plans for a mammoth box set, featuring band members on the cover dressed in gold Elvis suits, entitled '100 Million Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong', set to include no less than five discs comprising three CDs of unreleased material, one CD of fan favourites and rarities plus a DVD. To coincide, the band put on a special show at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. With 3,000 fans in attendance, the show would be broadcast live onto the screen in New York's Times Square.

BON JOVI debuted a brand new song, 'Have A Nice Day', at the American Music Awards show in November, this track being the lead single for a new, John Shanks produced album. The first half of 2005 would prove quiet for the band but anticipation toward a new album was satisfied in June when word arrived the opus was scheduled for September release. BON JOVI, sharing the stage with LINKIN PARK and DEF LEPPARD, would also be chosen as one of the leading US Rock acts to appear as part of Bob Geldof's global poverty awareness concerts, entitled 'Live 8', on in Philadelphia. That same month the Recording Industry Association of America revealed BON JOVI had sold over 49 million albums in the USA.

The new BON JOVI album, the much delayed 'Have A Nice Day', would finally be scheduled for September issue. Since having apparently wrapped up the original album sessions in September of 2004 the band returned to the studio craft further tracks in 'Wildflowers', 'One Last Cigerette', 'Novocaine', 'Story Of My Life' and 'Dirty Little Secret'. Also included would be the track 'Who Says You Can't Go Home?', recorded in two versions with Jennifer Nettles of SUGARLAND duetting on a "Country" take. This union would transfer to television, with a CMT 'Crossroads' special featuring both BON JOVI and SUGARLAND performing together. Australian variants of the album added a second disc of five live video tracks recorded in Borgata during 2004.

Internationally the album surprised many media watchers as 'Have A Nice Day' scored no less than 8 no. 1 positions including Japan, Germany, Australia, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Mexico and Canada. In the USA it was to debut at no. 2, being held off the top spot by the new DISTURBED album.

The promotion for 'Have A Nice Day' would be put to one side when BON JOVI donated $1 million to the Oprah Winfrey 'Angel Network' to benefit those in need following the devestation caused by Hurricane Katrina. European gigs in May saw NICKELBACK as support. The band scored another major coup in April when 'Who Says You Can't Go Home' hit number 1 on the US Country charts, the first time a Rock band had achieved this honour.

In September Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora ensconced themselves in Nashville for writing sessions with BILLY FALCON. The first hints of a Country flavoured album came in January 2007 as two tracks, 'I Love This Town' and 'Make A Memory', were provided online.

BON JOVI maked a return in 2009 with 'The Circle'.