Bon Jovi (album)

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Bon Jovi is the debut album from American rock band Bon Jovi, released January 21, 1984. Produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, the album is significant for being the only Bon Jovi album on which a song ("She Don't Know Me") appears that was not written nor co-written by members of the band. The album charted at #43 on The Billboard 200.[2]

Aside from hit single "Runaway", songs from the album were rarely performed live after the band released their breakthrough album Slippery When Wet in 1986. However, on the band's current Circle Tour, songs including "Roulette", "Shot Through the Heart", and "Get Ready" have been performed.

The album was ranked the 11th best rock album of 1984 by Kerrang! magazine[3]

Making of the record

In 1980, Jon Bon Jovi started to work at Power Station Studios, a Manhattan recording facility where his cousin, Tony Bongiovi, was a co-owner. Jon Bon Jovi made several demos and sent them out to many record companies, but failed to make an impact.

In 1982, Jon Bon Jovi went to local radio station WAPP 103.5FM "The Apple". DJ Chip Hobart listened to Jon's demos and loved "Runaway", deciding to include it on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. The studio musicians who helped record "Runaway" were known as The All Star Review. They were: guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, bassist Hugh McDonald, and additional singers David Grahmme and Mick Seeley

The song began to get airplay around New York. Jon signed to Mercury Records, part of the PolyGram company. Jon Bon Jovi wanted a group name and the A&R staff at PolyGram came up with Bon Jovi

In March 1983 Bon Jovi called David Bryan (then Rashbaum), who in turn called bassist Alec John Such and an experienced drummer named Tico Torres. At that time Bon Jovi's lead guitarist was Dave Sabo (a.k.a. The Snake), who later formed the group Skid Row. Dave Sabo was eventually replaced by Richie Sambora.

The band recorded the album (originally titled "Tough Talk" but renamed it after the record company decided it was wiser to issue the album as a self titled release) at Power Station Studios and produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn. Most of the songs are written by Jon Bon Jovi, David Bryan, and Richie Sambora. "Burning For Love" and "Come Back" were the very first songs written for the album. Three singles were released from the album, "Runaway", "She Don't Know Me" and in Japan only, "Burning For Love".

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Piero Scaruffi[4]
Allmusic[1]

Allmusic rated Bon Jovi three-and-a-half out of five stars. Leslie Mathew, who reviewed the album, said: "The songs may be simple and the writing prone to all clichés of the form, but the album boasts a pretty consistent hard rock attack, passionate playing, and a keen sense of melody."[1]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Runaway"Jon Bon Jovi, George Karak3:50
2."Roulette"Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora4:41
3."She Don't Know Me"Mark Avsec4:02
4."Shot Through the Heart"Bon Jovi, Jack Ponti4:25
5."Love Lies"Bon Jovi, David Rashbaum4:09
6."Breakout"Bon Jovi, Rashbaum5:23
7."Burning for Love"Bon Jovi, Sambora3:53
8."Come Back"Bon Jovi, Sambora3:58
9."Get Ready"Bon Jovi, Sambora4:08

1998 Japanese Special Edition Bonus CD PHCR-90011/2

Nippon Phonogram Japan PHCR-90011/2

  1. Runaway (Live Le Zenith 1988/11/20)
  2. Roulette (Live BBC Friday Rock Show)
  3. Shot Through the Heart (Live Japan Tour 1985)
  4. Burning For Love (Live Japan Tour 1985)
  5. Get Ready (Live Japan Tour 1985)
  6. Breakout (Live Super Rock '84)
  7. Runaway (Live Super Rock '84)

2010 Special Edition Bonus Tracks

  1. Runaway (Live Le Zenith 1988/11/20)
  2. Roulette (Live BBC Friday Rock Show)
  3. Breakout (Live Super Rock '84)
  4. Get Ready (Live Japan Tour 1985)

Personnel

Bon Jovi

Additional personnel

Engineers

  • Larry Alexander
  • Jeff Hendrickson
  • John Bengelshmy

Chart positions and sales

Album

Country Peak position Certification Sales
United States 43 Platinum[5] 2,000,000+
Canada Gold[6] 50,000+
Switzerland Platinum[7] 50,000+
Japan Gold 100,000+
Australia 39

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1983 "Runaway" The Billboard Hot 100 39
1984 "She Don't Know Me" The Billboard Hot 100 48

References

  1. ^ a b c Bon Jovi at AllMusic
  2. ^ "Allmusic (Bon Jovi charts & awards) Billboard albums".
  3. ^ "Rock List Music.uk". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |pure_url= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Piero Scaruffi Review
  5. ^ [1]
  6. ^ [2]
  7. ^ [3]
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