John Francis Bongiovi Jr. (born March 2, 1962), known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. He is best known as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi, which was formed in 1983. He has released 16 studio albums with his band as well as two solo albums.
In the 1990s, Bon Jovi started an acting career, starring in the films Moonlight and Valentino, The Leading Man, Little City, Homegrown, Pay It Forward, U-571 and Cry Wolf and appearing on television in shows such as Sex and the City, 30 Rock, Ally McBeal, and The West Wing.
Bon Jovi was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2012, he ranked number 50 among Billboard magazine's "Power 100", a ranking of "The Most Powerful and Influential People in the Music Business".
Bon Jovi is a founder and former majority owner of an Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul.
John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. His father John Francis Bongiovi Sr. (born 1930) was a barber and a former Marine. His mother Carol (née Sharkey; 1940–2024), also a former Marine, was a florist and Playboy Bunny. His father was of Italian and Slovak ancestry: his great grandmother Alžbeta Jacko hailed from Košická Belá in present-day Slovakia and the name Bongiovi comes from Sciacca, Sicily. His mother was of German and Russian descent. In an interview about his family tree, Bon Jovi stated, "I'm not a blood relative of Frank Sinatra, but I've always loved that rumour. Who wouldn't want to be related to the man?"
Bon Jovi was raised Catholic. During the height of Beatlemania, his mother became a fervent admirer of The Beatles and dreamed that her son would achieve similar fame. To instill in him a love of music, she gave him his first guitar at the age of seven. Although Bongiovi received some lessons, he never enjoyed them and eventually abandoned the guitar in the basement. "I liked the sound it made falling down the stairs more than any of those boring lessons," he later stated. He 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.
At 15, he attended a Bruce Springsteen concert with his friends, and it was then that he knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He resumed his guitar lessons with a new teacher, Al Parinello, who was very demanding but also instilled in him a passion for music. Jon Bon Jovi later recalled the importance of those lessons and acknowledged that they were one of the best things that had ever happened to him. When Parinello died in 1995, Bon Jovi carved the initials AP into his acoustic guitar in honor of his mentor, something he continued to do for many years.
Jon Bon Jovi began playing music in 1974, when he formed his first band Raze and took part in a talent contest at his school. At 16, he formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway and was joined by David Bryan, who would later become a member of the Bon Jovi band. Still in his teens, Bon Jovi played in the band John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, performing in clubs such as the Fast Lane and opening for local acts. By 1980, he had formed his first original band, the Rest; the band opened for New Jersey acts such as Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. In late 1979, Jon Bon Jovi joined the band The Rest—founded by guitarist Jack Ponti—with whom he began writing his first songs, including "Shot Through the Heart", which years later would appear on Bon Jovi's debut album. However, after receiving no record offers, Ponti decided to disband the group.
By mid-1980, out of school and working part-time at a women's shoe store, Jon Bon Jovi took a job at the Power Station Studios, a Manhattan recording facility where his cousin Tony Bongiovi was co-owner. One day, he was sweeping the floor as Disco producer Meco was in the studio recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album. Meco suggested that Bon Jovi sing "R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas", which became his first professional recording (credited as John Bongiovi).
In 1981, Bon Jovi made his television debut with the John Bongiovi Band on The Uncle Floyd Show.
Jon Bon Jovi made several demos – including one produced by Billy Squier – and sent them to record companies, though failing to make an impact. In 1982, Jon recorded "Runaway" in his cousin's studio, backed up by studio musicians. Jon 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 re-recorded 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 (from Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band), drummer Frankie LaRocka, and bassist Hugh McDonald.
The song began to get airplay in the New York area, then other sister stations in major markets picked up the song. In March 1983, for a short tour supporting "Runaway", Jon Bon Jovi called David Bryan, who in turn called bassist Alec John Such and drummer Tico Torres, both formerly of the band Phantom's Opera. Jon saw and was impressed with hometown guitarist Richie Sambora, who was recommended by Such and Torres. Once the band began playing showcases and opening for local talent, they caught the attention of record executive Derek Shulman, who signed them to Mercury Records and who was part of the PolyGram company. Because Jon Bon Jovi wanted a group name, Pamela Maher, a friend of Richard Fischer and an employee of Doc McGhee, suggested they call themselves Bon Jovi, following the example of the other famous two-word bands such as Van Halen. This name was chosen instead of the original idea of Johnny Electric. Maher's suggestion of the name was met with little enthusiasm, but two years later they hit the charts under that name.
With the help of their new manager Doc McGhee they recorded the band's debut album, Bon Jovi, which was released on January 21, 1984. The album included the band's first hit single, "Runaway", reaching the top forty on the Billboard Hot 100. In 1985, Bon Jovi's second album, 7800° Fahrenheit, was released. The album certified Gold by RIAA. In 1986, the band achieved widespread success and global recognition with its third album, Slippery When Wet, which had sold 30 million copies worldwide. The first two singles from the album, "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer", both hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Its 1988 sequel New Jersey, and 1992's Keep the Faith were all international hits, each selling over ten million copies worldwide. They incorporated elements of soft rock and country, moves that helped them sustain their popularity into the 21st century. As of 2022, Bon Jovi has released 16 studio albums, three compilations and two live albums. The band has sold more than 149 million records worldwide, making it one of the bestselling American rock bands. Bon Jovi has performed more than 3,000 concerts in over 50 countries for more than 35 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.
In July 2026, Bon Jovi played a series of ten performances at Madison Square Garden, dubbed "The Forever Tour." It was his first full concert performance since his vocal cord surgery, and though he had to end one evening's performance early due to strain,
overall fans were happy and the concerts were well received.
Bruce Springsteen joined him on stage at one of the shows. Fans also had the opportunity to meet Jon Bon Jovi and the band in Proto Hologram form, and get their selfies taken by Jon's hologram—a first in the concert industry.