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, and talked his way into recording 'Runaway' on his own after the studio closed at night. The song got airplay. Mercury Records signed him. Born March 2, 1962. Slippery When Wet in 1986 sold 28 million copies. 'Livin' on a Prayer,' 'You Give Love a Bad Name,' 'Wanted Dead or Alive' — arena rock at its most deliberate and effective. He named the band after himself, which was either honest or egotistical, depending on your view. He's donated over $100 million to his community restaurant chain that lets people pay what they can. The restaurants have never charged a fixed price. He calls it 'pay it forward.'
March 2, 1962
64 years ago
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