Bon Jovi Photography

When Bon Jovi was formed in the early ’80s, the Jon Bon Jovi-led troupe embraced the hard rock/glam metal sounds of the time. Though the New Jersey natives enjoyed considerable success, worldwide superstardom didn’t come until they adopted a more straightforward rock sound on 1986’s monumental Slippery When Wet.

Not only did Slippery When Wet feature mega-hits such as “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Wanted Dead or Alive,” it also sold over 12 million copies in America and an astounding 28 million across the globe. Two years later, that mainstream mania continued with their New Jersey album, which was responsible for the equally everlasting hits “Bad Medicine,” “I’ll Be There for You” and “Lay Your Hands on Me.”

Even in the 2000s, Bon Jovi continued reaching new generations with their classic collection Crush and its anthemic lead single “It’s My Life.” And from then to this very day, there’s rarely a stadium that doesn’t feature a “sold out” sign whenever Jon and the boys storm through town.