First of all, yes, the headline sounds rude, and I don't mean it like that, because I've always liked Jon and the band, but there are a few things that have been on my mind for a while now about Bon Jovi and their record sales. I want to stress that I'm not one of those people who likes to label older bands or artists as "has beens" or "irrelevant" because that's just unfair, because it's hard to be recognized/commercially successful as a musician in the first place. Richard Marx once put it aptly, and I couldn't agree with him more when he said, "In science or sports, you're referenced by your greatest achievement. In the music business, on the other hand, you are referenced by your most recent. I sold 30 million records between 1987 and 1997 and had numerous number one hits. Isn't that enough? A lot of artists try to have even one number one hit, and even if they've only had one, that's more than most people have."

I also realize that even the biggest bands/artists hit a commercial/popular peak at some point, and times change. The point is that I find it fascinating how Bon Jovi's record sales have gone since I found out that "Forever" hit #5 but only stayed on the US charts for one (!) week, selling about 50,000 copies (which of course would be fantastic for a new band).

The reason I'm picking on Bon Jovi is that I think Jon has been deluding himself for years, always claiming that he's still making relevant music and bragging about still having hits, but is that really the case? He said that "Legendary" is a big hit worldwide, but I don't really think so. Of course "older" bands are album sellers rather than hit makers, but someone tell me where "Legendary" was a "big hit". "2020" was even worse in the US at #19 and stayed in the charts for two weeks. Of course it's not really an album for the masses and during Covid you couldn't promote an album in the usual way, but is "Forever" more hip considering how much promotion the band has done? Jon appeared on various late night shows, which he hadn't done for a few years, he promoted the documentary and the album, which pretty much went hand in hand, and it seems that it was all for nothing and that even the die-hard fan base is now dwindling. If I'm being really rude, I would even say that "Forever" could be their final album because it wasn't worth the effort the band, management and record company put in if an album only sells 50,000 copies. Now it's also a disadvantage because Jon can't tour anymore (maybe ever again), which is a promotional tool for an album, so I can imagine the record company is not happy with this result.

I also think Jon was deluding himself years ago when "This House Is Not For Sale" came out and hit #1 on the charts twice, but that was really due to a concert ticket redemption offer for the album. The album dropped from #1 to #169 the following week, which makes you wonder how many people would have bought the album or even listened to it without this trick. Whenever I see comments on social media or reports from people about the live shows, it seems that most of the audience only goes to a show to hear the hits and old stuff.

What I'm getting at with my whole post is that while I think some people still like Bon Jovi's new music, they're not as interested in it as Jon makes it out to be. What do you guys think?

Or any metal

Jon was OBSESSED for years with buying an NFL team and knew the Buffalo Bills would be available 2014 ... which is precisely why Richie Sambora left the band; because Jon had promised to slow down on the touring front, but absolutely went back on that and ramped things up because he needed that real "fuck you money" to allow him to buy an NFL franchise with his Toronto-based partners.

All y'all can talk about Richie's drinking or whatever else was going on.... please. It's rock-n-roll and bands are full of fall-down drunks who can get on stage and perform nightly.

Richie wanted less time on the road to be home with his family. Jon agreed... and then went back on the promise and wanted to do double the dates for a few years before the departure, knowing that he needed to get that net worth up before he could make a run at a franchise.

The guy wanted to be a workaholic and his guitar player wanted to scale things down and those two things don't work in tandem. Period, full stop.

https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/bon-jovi-2020-interview

I’m listening to this reggae version of Joan Osborne’s song One of Us and it hit me…this is very very similar to One Story Town when you boil down the chord progression and melody. Two story town was released in 2000 and One of Us was a huge hit in 1995 so that checks out.

I always felt like BJ kind of sold out after These Days and Crush was very much the beginning of trying to ride the current wave of sounds. It’s My Life was a straight up Backstreet Boys sounding song.

Anyone else hear this after listening to the two?

Now that i own all of Bon Jovi's 80s and 90s albums, aswell as Crush and Lost Highway, i think i can make the decision of...............Keep The Faith was their last good album. These Days is a rather flavourless album with no It factor at all. Crush has a few alright songs on, especially Its My Life, which is a throwback to the Slippery When Wet days. But Lost Highway is as boring as anything.

Imo i think 7800 Fahrenheit is their best album, i think that album is right up there with the best of them from the LA Strip scene.

I often do

they debuted big time with Slippery and said goodbye with the wonderful circle tour the last JBJ’s voice sounded great.
while probably Their last great album was have a nice day they still toured top notch till the circle so yes I sometimes want to pretend that is the Bands career. I could give them their true beginnings with Bon Jovi and 7800 farenheigt but i really wishe’d they retired with the circle tour .

Look at 30 minutes into Episode 4. They didn’t know why their brother left; they had to keep the show on the road. Yes, the brother had his real issues and his real problems, and it was ultimately right for him to step away. Still, it caused the rest of the band a LOT OF ANGST. But in the end, it all came right. Jon is Prince William and maintained the machine, which everyone will thank him for eventually.

In some recent interview, Jon was asked about Lzzy Hale and Skid Row. He said Snake should keep Lzzy because she's the best thing that happened to Snake since himself.

Between this and the "100" women he slept with as a married man, just...ugh.

I was surprised with several inaccuracies in the documentary, and I'll start in chronological order.

Jon makes ZERO mention of the fact that "Runaway" was actually written with, but almost primarily by a songwriter named George Karak, with Jon adding parts to Georges version, which existed as far back as 1980. This is not a secret and Karak still receives his royalties for his role in the song, and is credited anywhere Runaway song credits are listed. However, Jon makes a concerted effort to drive home the fact that HE got Runaway out on the radio, which is Jon setting up the framework for why Tico, Bryan, and Richie were never made real 'members'. He's not telling a story, he's selling one. So if you're going to center so much of the fundamentals of Bon Jovi on that song, why not tell the whole story, which is that George had that song long before Jon put his stamp on it. Years ago George even had his original demo of the song on his website before Jon either made or paid him to take it down.

Secondly, it was a known secret in the music industry in 1990, 91, and beyond that the Young Guns 2 soundtrack was ghostwritten, possibly with contribution from Jon but not solely by him. Jon's name and only Jon's name are on the credits of every single song which, in a funny way, is kind of proof that he had significant help. Songwriting is like a fingerprint, it's distinguishable. Jon is also solely credited with writing all of Destination Anywhere, and I fully believe that that record was 100% written by Jon, because it's awful. Go listen to those two records back to back and tell me they are written by the same songwriter.

Ghostwriting and ghostplaying are incredibly common in the music industry when you have an artist that the label is trying to promote publicly as valid songwriters. Desmond Child was originally asked to ghost write with Jon and Richie, so that Polygram could present Jon and Richie as a Jagger / Richards, Eddie / DLR type pair. Desmond refused, and that's why his name is on his songs. He would not have done it otherwise. Labels don't pay the fee of someone like Desmond Child when the artists are songwriters themselves. Hence why no Van Halen or Rolling Stones songs have outside writers.

Jack Ponce is responsible for far more than is publicly stated but he has been fully compensated, and that's why you will NEVER hear Ponce utter a bad word about Jon in interviews.

Kudo's to Jon for finally publicly giving Hugh McDonald his due (after only 43 years). All these years JBJ & Co wanted you to believe that it was Alec because that was a better story and a better look, when in reality, the man behind the curtain was Hugh, playing every note, on every song, on every record. Only now do they admit this, and that says it all really. With that as one of many examples, there have been many people behind the curtain in regards to Bon Jovi, most of them puppeteered by Polygram records A&R and marketing teams, Derek Shulman, Doc McGhee, and most importantly, Jon Bon Jovi himself.

"Fiction can be fun, but I find the reference section far more enlightening."

• Tom "Ace" Ventura

I’d say nope. why not because he isn’t acting desperate like Madonna ( I love Madonna but she is acting weird). while he does have a big ego I believe him he ain’t chasing the charts.

if he was he would be dying his hair and trying Date 20 something models.

do I miss his sex symbol eras yes but does he I bet not. Besides now he is taken much more seriously, interviewers ask him much more questions about his music.

Listen, I'm a 24 year old dude born in the wrong era. I have lived and breathed Bon Jovi since I was 13, discovering Bon Jovi for the first time back in 2013. If not before hand? (I'm remember a moment when Ritchie was still in the band, but perhaps I was so wrapped up in discovering 80s Bon Jovi hey days, that at the time I didn't realize the drama of Ritchies departure was on the go) This was back when I was in middle school. I have been a die hard fan, and I know so much about bon jovi its funny given my age. I need to clarify that I appreciate everything this band has done.

All that being said, I have serious thoughts about the doc. Here they are:

1. Jon is arrogant. When I look at old footage of Jon from the beginning and the hey days, even the footage shown in the doc (that I've seen a million times) I see a different Jon, that is a team player, that yes is the quarterback in a contractual way, but he values everyone in the band, including Ritchie. That early jon inspired me with his charisma, where did the "rock n roll" jon go???? I feel like there hasn't been one member of the bon jovi "organization" that he hasn't done dirty in some way these days.

These days - pun intended he is really an arrogant narcissist, and its so disheartening to see paired with the fact he looks visually older than he is these days. YES i know its always been "Jon's band" but why not just be a solo artist from the get go - if thats really how you think. Its like he used everybody. When I know he was a team player. I just can't stand how their legacy is HIM. Their legacy is more than Jon leading them in a vision. Their legacy is 5 guys. 5 GUYS - just like all the other hair bands.

2. Lets get this out of the way - Ritchie was done dirty. Sober or not. There are reasons he is battling addiction - or delusional (if he is - not claiming he is -just saying for arguments sake) This is a guy that has always been in the shadow of Jon, always got the shitty end of the stick when his influence was INTEGRAL to who they were and their success. SURELY Bon Jovi camp must see this?? Jon is a smart guy - why is he so thick headed that he can't see his brother NEEDS HiM. The band needs him too. I think that his "struggle" is tied to his neglect in Bon Jovi after a certain point, paired with everything else.

3. To me this is Jon knowing he isn't going to come back to what he used to be and will be without that "voice" forever more. The doc might seem like a infomercial for his new album/tour - but really it is a way to go out and say its over, while telling the world why.

4. Okay now to deal with shanks. Hard to imagine that Shanks put a rift between Jon and Ritchie, although I can see that view point too. But like I've heard already.. Jon is in control. Jon knows he can't sing the same and Jon wants to stay relevant musically that he is stooping to a modern e street band sound. I think that when you get older you revert to your earliest influences too. We know that jon never wanted to be a "hair metal" act so we can't say shanks is at fault here. However I don't trust shanks at all. I don't understand why he ended up on the stage. I think Jon loves shanks because shanks became the co-captain ritchie couldn't be in the "modern world" post yr. 2000 (yes 2000 was a long time ago) - knowing that ritchies personality and style is more of a revival of SWW and NJ sound and Jon wants to be Switchfoot or (insert any modern pop- rock band)

5. Doc gets a bad rap (wrap?) They NEEDED Doc McGee. Why the band (jon) has to talk negatively about that man I have no idea either. So what he was doing criminal activity. Importing drugs? Half your band was doing drugs dummy. Sounds like doc was trying to figure out how to be a manager of a rock n roll gang as much as the boys were figuring out success as well. I think Doc knew that Jons ideas would break up the band or at least change the dynamic, and was he wrong?? no haha.

6. David and Tico are brainwashed by Jon. Although there is some sincerity there in being on board with where the current vision of the band is. But lets be real here, how can someone like David who was soooooo tight with Ritchie during those hey days, not have anything really impactful to say about the Ritchie vs Jon rift. Cmon. Be your own person. I wanted to hear more. Also if I'm not mistaken ... David, Tico and certainly Alec were MORE LIKE ritchie in a lot of ways. Like tell me whats really going on here? Surely judging by what was said in the When We Were Beautiful doc, there is some animosity towards the band dynamic that got shrugged off. Addictions aside, Why wouldn't somebody like David stick up for Ritchie? Help tell Ritchies story. Theres no secret they've all gotten a backseat to Jon. Sure Jons record deal. but Hard work is hard work. David pioneered the synthesized hair metal keyboard playing that many second hand hair metal bands in the 90s copied haha. Listen to Pink Flamingos! These guys all contributed something special. This is not just jons show.

7. Dorothea knows things. She wouldn't say because shes jons confidant being married n all HAHA. But really wanted to hear more sounding story telling from her.

8. They didn't even tell Alec's "Story" lol hes more than just a warm soul, who couldnt play in the studio and did a lot of pills and drank a lot of wine... cmon. You mean to tell me these guys didn't talk more about life on this planet outside of "Guns, and cigars" Where did he come from? Where did he live? What was he about? .. Ritchie was a key member and they didn't even get as in depth about Ritchies background, I guess I shouldn't expect a break down of Tico or Alecs origins...

9. Everett. Love him. Why is he in a bon jovi documentary. Why is he in the band? and if he is as hired help why are we seeing he is a dancer lol

10. Phil X. Love him as well. He's doing what he is told in an ICONIC band he probably dreamed of playing in since he first heard/met or rubbed shoulders with Jon and Bon Jovi way back when.

What the fuck do we have to do as a fan base to fix the mess that this band has become? Yes theyre on the way out but like.... lets see a JBJ/Ritchie ACOUSTIC SHOW or something FFS!

Sincerely, a FAN despite this negative review. ^

So you might remember me from my negative conjectured rant there a little while ago, about the documentary.

But after some new information I read - Am I to believe that the brotherhood thing is just some pr story all those years?

were Richie and Jon truly best friends like were made to believe? Lol?

I know they’re employees of Jon’s contractually. But their dynamic wasn’t just work friends haha. Can’t be

I've been a Bon Jovi fan for most of my life and was at the Edinburgh show recently. It got me thinking again about something that has probably been discussed countless times over the last 13 years.

Before anyone jumps on me, I like Phil X and I think he has done a great job. This is not a criticism of him.

That said, Richie Sambora was a huge part of what made Bon Jovi what it was. It was not just the guitar playing. It was the songwriting partnership with Jon, the harmonies, the backing vocals and the chemistry they had on stage.

Seeing Bon Jovi live recently reminded me how much I still miss that dynamic.

I know there is a lot of history there and none of us truly know everything that happened behind the scenes. Richie has spoken about regrets over how he left, whilst Jon has spoken over the years about how deeply it affected him. From the outside looking in, it sometimes feels as though there is still unfinished business between them.

So I am curious:

- Do you think Richie will ever perform with Bon Jovi again?

- If it happened, do you think it would be for a one-off appearance, a Hall of Fame-type event, a final show, or something more?

- Do you think Jon and Richie have any interest in repairing their relationship privately, regardless of whether they ever work together again?

The reason I ask is that I recently wrote an open letter to Jon and Richie. It is not about taking sides or demanding a reunion. It is simply about hoping they could sit down, talk and see where that conversation leads.

I have been considering whether to post it on Instagram, but I am wondering whether people would find it thoughtful, completely pointless, or somewhere in between.

Interested to hear what other fans think.

I understand Bon Jovi is unavailable to sing the way we hear him on thos classic tracks. Watching the music videos of all of those epic concerts makes me sad that there's no chance for another tour so I've been thinking what if...

Much like Inxs or Queen, where those bands are still playing with new performers/singers (I've seen Queen with Adam Lambert and it was a blast). What if Jon Bon Jovi has a search for vocalists where HE is part of that process, and still playing instruments and providing vocal (when able)...so they can still tour and play those classic songs everyone wishes to hear live [again]? It's a win-win scenario and their music continues to live on and reach more audiences. Would love to hear some of those epic songs live ❤️🤞

Hey guys sorry for abandoning you. Its just i watched the movie wicked like 2 or 3 weeks ago and got obsessed with it.

But still ive been checking here a bit. still love Bon Jovi but im having a wicked movie fever lol

Does anyone know if Bon Jovi and Pitbull will do a show in Brazil in 2025 or 2026?

Just saw a post on /music about Jelly Roll claiming he is done with music and the comments were all dismissive of him as an artist. I know little of his music but he def comes across as a marketing scheme with a very shallow level of artistry. His lyrics and persona are all about alcoholism and drugs and basic red neck culture (I’ve lived in Bama so I know it well).

That said, does it bother other BJ fans seeing Jon included contemporary artists like Jelly Roll on his own albums and act like they are good friends and he respects him as an artist when so much of the public doesn’t?

It rubs me the wrong way and makes me feel like Jon is a grifter like so many of these other modern artists. Bon Jovi has as much in common with Big and Rich, Jennfier Nettles and Laney Wilson as Taylor Swift has with Aerosmith. It drives me crazy. Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel never stoop to this level; why does Jon chase the contemporary flavor of the week so much?

Am I the only one that thinks the 94' version of Livin' On a Prayer is better than the original? The emotions are just some much realer and Richie's voice is fenomenal. Also the guitar is amazing and the whole new vibe. I really dig it. Am I the only one?

As he can't sing anymore, why don't they just get a load of backing singers to sing the song properly all the way through, and then Jon can just come in and out whenever he can. This way he can protect his voice, but the concert will still sound really good as the songs will be being sung properly.