Bon Jovi Born: Arena Rock's Enduring Hitmaker

Jon Bon Jovi grew up in Sayreville, New Jersey, worked at his cousin Tony Bongiovi's recording studio as a teenager, and talked his way into recording "Runaway" after the studio closed at night. The song got airplay on a local radio station and attracted interest from Mercury Records, which signed him. Born John Francis Bongiovi Jr. on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he formed the band in 1983, naming it after himself. "Slippery When Wet" in 1986 sold 28 million copies worldwide and produced three of the decade's defining rock anthems: "Livin' on a Prayer," "You Give Love a Bad Name," and "Wanted Dead or Alive." The album's success was driven by the emerging power of MTV, which put the band's videos into heavy rotation. The songwriting partnership between Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora, with significant input from professional songwriter Desmond Child, produced hook-driven arena rock designed for maximum impact. The band has sold over 130 million records worldwide and performed over 2,700 concerts in more than 50 countries. Beyond music, Bon Jovi has been involved in philanthropy and community development. His JBJ Soul Foundation operates the JBJ Soul Kitchen, a chain of community restaurants in New Jersey where customers pay what they can afford. Diners who cannot pay can volunteer an hour of service instead. The restaurants have never charged a fixed price. He has donated over $100 million to community causes. He was appointed to the White House Council for Community Solutions by President Obama. His acting career included roles in several films, though none achieved the cultural impact of his music.