- Jon Bon Jovi is a professional US-born rock star who has been active since 1975 and has sold over a 100 million of his records so far
- Born on the 2nd of March 1962, Jon has also attained success as an actor, businessman, political activist, and philanthropist, assisting thousands of people throughout America
- He married his high school sweetheart in 1989 and the couple share 4 kids together; 3 boys and one girl
The professional rock singer who is the pioneer of the rock band Bon Jovi has also recorded success on the screens with several movies like New Year’s Eve (2011) and Cry Wolf (2005).
Despite his fame and world recognition, Jovi still stands today as a dedicated husband, father of 4, and a successful multimillion-dollar businessman, philanthropist, and political activist with a vast network throughout the United States of America.
Early Life Backgroud of Jon Bon Jovi
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Jon was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey on March 2nd, 1962 to the family of two former Marines, barber John Francis Bongiovi Sr., and Playboy Bunny turned florist Carol (Sharkey).
While his father is an Italian his mother’s ancestry is traced to Germany and Russia. Bongiovi has also stated that he is related to Francis Sinatra, a best-selling American singer, and actor who sold an estimated 150 million records worldwide. Apart from Francis, the singer further has two other brothers called Anthony and Mathew.
As to his education, Jon attended two different high schools while growing up. The first was St.Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey, and later transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, New Jersey. There is no record as to whether or not the singer went to college but he has remained successful as a talented musician.
He Married His High School Sweetheart
In 1989, Jovi had a stop in Los Angelis during his New Jersey Syndicate Tour. He was said to have secretly taken a trip to Las Vegas and married his high school girlfriend Dorothea Hurley. The wedding took place at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in April 1989. The chapel has since then used Jovi’s wedding as a claim to fame.
Many years after the couple’s wedding, Dorothea and Jon have been blessed with 4 kids. They are;
Sources have it that the rock star’s children are not so much interested in their father’s music career. In fact, two of his youngest children once declined their father’s invitation to attend one of his shows.
Furthermore, his eldest daughter, Stephanie in 2012 made her family endure a very tough time due to a drug overdose incident she had in school that almost claimed her life.
Jon Bon Jovi Began His Music Career at Age 13
Romeo’s music career will be incomplete without the mention of his first music band Raze. He joined Raze in 1975 at the age of 13, playing the piano and guitar. By the time he was 16, the star met with David Bryan and formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway.
He later became part of Wild Ones, another band that opened him up to performing in Clubs and for events. He was said to again pioneer another band in 1980 called The Rest.
After several performances in clubs and radio stations, Jon was able to finally form the famous Bon Jovi in1983. The group which he named after himself started with members like David Bryan (Bassist) Alec John (Drummer), and Richie Sambora (Guitarist).
Bon Jovi Band Has Sold More than 100 Million Records
The band Bon Jovi was able to release two albums between 1984 and 1985. Their third album Slippery When Wet was released in 1986 and it was a breakthrough for them. The album which sold 28 million copies worldwide achieved widespread success and global recognition.
The group has also released 15 studio albums, 5 compilations and 3 live albums. They have sold over 100 million records worldwide which makes them one of the best-selling American rock bands. Bon Jovi has also performed more than 2,700 concerts in over 50 countries with more than 34 million fans. The group was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2006 as well as the U.S Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
He Went Solo in 1990
Jon’s dubut solo album is Blaze of Glory. It was released on August 7th, 1990, and had songs like Young Guns II. His solo album featured guests like Elton John, Little Richard, and Jeff Beck. His second solo album is titled Destination Anywhere (1997) and it influenced the storyline of a movie released in 1997 also titled Destination Anywhere.
Shortly after he went solo, Bon began his own label called Jambco Records which notably produced Aldo Nova’s album Blood on the Bricks and Billy Falcon’s pretty Blue World.
The American-born has also recorded a couple of singles in his solo career such as Not Running Anymore. Running Anymore was not just a hit single but also was a soundtrack for Stand Up Guys: a 2012 American dark comedy-crime film directed by Fisher Stevens.
The rock star is also known for his Christmas single titled A Jon Bon Jovi Christmas released in 2020.
Jon Bon Jovi is a Founder of a Football Club
Bon Jovi became a primary founder and owner of Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League in 2004. Also, he expressed interest in purchasing 15 percent of the Atlanta Falcons for $150 million.
Still, about sports franchises, Bon joined a group of investors in bidding for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. The team was however sold to Terry Pegula, owner of the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League.
He Has a Huge Net Worth
Bon’s net worth is estimated to be around $410 million from his entertainment carrier over the years. His franchises in different football clubs may have also greatly contributed to the huge sums that the musician has.
Adding to his money is his involvement in real estate. It has been said that Bon has bought, developed, and sold properties in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
SEE ALSO: Jakob Oftebro- 10 Interesting Facts About The Actor
Bon’s Discography
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5 Fascinating Facts About Jon Bon Jovi
1. He is a Philantropist
The singer has a foundation called Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Foundation; a nonprofit that focuses on the issues around hunger and homelessness in the united states. The organization was established in 2006.
Through his foundation, Jon has carried out the rehabilitation of a block of 15 homes in North Philadelphia. Also, on the 21st of January 2019, the singer provided free meals to government workers and family members who had been affected by the federal government shutdown.
He is also part of the 21 artists that sang Everybody Hurts, a charity single that was organized by Simon Cowell to assist those that were affected by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
2. Jon Bon Jovi is Also a Political Activist
Jon is not only a successful musician but also a political activist. Although his voter registration indicates that he is unaffiliated, he is a supporter of many Democratic politicians. In 2004, he was an ardent supporter of John Kerry and followed him to rallies throughout the U.S.
He also performed at the 2009 Manhatthan fundraiser campaign for Secretary of State and has also performed at various political functions for Democrats like Hilary Clinton, Barrack Obama, Joe Biden and Jon Corzine.
He was appointed by Obama on December 15, 2015, to be part of the White House Council for Community Solutions.
3. His Tour to Florida was Cancelled in 2021 After Testing Positive for Covid
Bon was not able to make it for his tour to Florida in October 2021 after testing positive for Covid-19. However, he recovered in November that same year and said the experience he had with the disease affected him a lot. It also inspired him to write songs about Covid and further made him realize how volatile and fragile life could be.
4. Jon Bon Jovi Considers Himself as a Recovering Catholic
Bon comes from a catholic background and was raised in the catholic faith. However, he has said that he developed some issues with the church along the line and now sees himself s a recovering Catholic.
The term “recovering Catholic” is used by some former practicing Roman Catholics to describe their religious status. The use of the term implies that the person considers their former Catholicism to have been a negative influence on their life, to be “recovered” from. The term first came into use in the 1980s.
5. He Received an Honorary Degree From Princeton University
The music star is a recipient of an honorary degree from Princeton University. This was in recognition of his said contributions to society through music, education, social justice, and public health.
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