By 1982, Jon Bon Jovi re-recorded “Runaway” which he had originally recorded back in 1980 and had shopped it around with no luck. This re-recording he did with what he liked to call The All-Star Revue which consisted of guitarist Tim Pierce, keyboardist Roy Bittan, drummer Frankie LaRocka, and bassist Hugh McDonald (remember this name). The song started getting a little traction and eventually Jon Bongiovi got a record deal and changed his name to Jon Bon Jovi. He was an artist with a deal, but no band. Jon wanted a band and he was going to go with Johnny Electric, but Pamela Maher that suggested he use the name Bon Jovi since a two word name worked so well for Van Halen. No one really liked that idea at first, but eventually Jon came around and Bon Jovi was born.

So, Jon called his old buddy from his old band Atlantic City Expressway, David Bryan Rashbaum, and the ball got rolling. David called his buddy Alec John Such to handle bass and a drummer he knew by the name of Tico Torres. Alec and Tico were formerly in a band together called Phantom’s Opera. They needed a guitarist, so Jon reached out to his friend Dave Sabo (or “Snake”) who played with them for a very short time. He never actually joined the band, but thankfully he would go on to something almost quite as good with a band called Skid Row…maybe you’ve heard of them.

But the band still needed a guitarist. Jon had seen, and was impressed, by a guitarist by the name of Richie Sambora. Richie had played with Joe Cocker and was in a band called Mercy. Hell, Richie even auditioned with Kiss to replace Ace Frehley, but that didn’t go well. Jon asked him to join and now the band was complete. The band had a new manager by the name of Doc McGhee and with his help, they went off to record their debut album.

The name of the album was going to be “Tough Talk”, but that didn’t end up as the title as the record company had other ideas. They felt a self-titled album was certainly the way to go and they wrote the checks so they got their way. The album came out on January 24, 1984 and has been certified platinum. It reached #43 on the album chart so not a bad start for a brand new band. There is even an Aldo Nova connection to this album as he supplied some additional keyboards and guitars as the band hadn’t been complete yet while Jon was in the studio. We will touch on him more later in the series.

The opening track “Runaway” was actually recorded in 1982 as mentioned above, but the real traction came when it was re-released as the opening single to their debut album where it hit #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. The song kicks off with such a killer keyboard riff and then these explosive drum hits with a guitar scratch down the strings and then it was off to the races. The song feels huge and that chorus is nothing short of inspiration. So catchy, so infectious…simply put it is perfection. It has this rebellious energy that was so exciting and that guitar solo by Tim Pierce was lethal…it just cut right through you. An utterly classic Bon Jovi song.

And the energy doesn’t let up from their as up next is the wickedly killer track “Roulette” with the fading in of the vicious riff, the countdown, then the bombastic drums and bass with a very young Jon slaying on the vocals. It’s serious, dramatic tone makes you stop and take notice and with Richie’s solo and that massive chorus you can’t help be sing this song long after it was done.

The band’s second single was the ballad “She Don’t Know Me” written by Wild Cherry’s keyboardists Mark Asvec. The only song on the album not written with any band member. The song was supposed to be on project for Mark called Fair Warning, but the problem was that a famous band was releasing an album with that same title so lo and behold, Bon Jovi got the song as that project died. Anyway, the song went to #48 on the Hot 100 just missing the Top 40. It is a power ballad as it is upbeat, but had a lot of heart and emotion. Jon’s vocals are spot on with that slight whine to it that really grabs hold on the chorus and damn he hits a really high note. The power part is those Tico drums and Richie’s guitar. A great combo.

“Shot Through the Heart” is a darker song with a lot of heartache, but it ain’t a ballad. It has a slow start but builds then comes crashing through the door with a lot intensity. Jon’s vocals are confident and cocky sounding which really makes you stand up and listen. Richie’s solo is a spitfire as it races through like an out of control race care. It is also another song where I think the keyboards from David add such a layer and texture. Crank it baby!

With a piano opening, a pullback on the urgency, smooth and sultry vocals from Jon, “Love Lies” is another beautiful power ballad. Glam rock wasn’t in full swing yet, but there is a taste of it here. Throw in another great Richie solo and you have one of my favorite songs on the album as it sees a softer side of the band and a step up on the songwriting with both Jon and David writing it. Could’ve been a single.

“Breakout” is up next and with more keyboards and a lot of “ooh oohs”, but it is another hard rocker and sees Jon stretch that vocal range. A fun rocker that sees Jon telling the girl he is better off on his own…see you bitch!!..okay that was harsh and Jon doesn’t say that…it was implied.

The third and final single was “Burning for Love” now sees Jon wanting some loving tonight. It has a lot of attitude and Jon seems a little desperate, but it all works so well. This upbeat rocker is a little more generic than the others, but still a heckuva lotta fun.

“Come Back” turns up the volume and aggression as Jon attacks the vocals with a confident veracity. The guitar has edge, the drums have intensity, the keyboards sing and the bass chugs a great groove. this song screams 80’s and I’m okay with that.

Lastly we get “Get Ready” and it doesn’t really sound like anything else on the album. We get a Jon scream, a jazzy piano, a funkier sound all around. The chorus is a little cheesy and it isn’t their best track, but you know, I kinda dig it as much as I kinda don’t. Still a little fun though especially with those backing vocals on the chorus as it is like the whole band is singing along. After the guitar solo, Jon changes things up and stats asking you to c’mon, c’mon and they cranked up the fun and let it all out.

Track Listing:

1. Runaway – Keeper
2. Roulette – Keeper
3. She Don’t Know Me – Keeper
4. Shot Through the Heart – Keeper
5. Love Lies – Keeper
6. Breakout – Keeper
7. Burning For Love – Keeper (1/2 Point)
8. Come Back – Keeper
9. Get Ready – Keeper (1/2 Point)

The Track Score is 8 out of 9 Tracks or 89% which is outstanding for a debut album.  I actually wouldn’t skip anything here.  I have had a copy of this album off and on since 1984 when it was released and I have always loved it.  It always transports be back to that time and a lot of great memories around music.  The first 1/2 of this album is solid, and some of their best work.  “Runaway” is an all time classic Bon Jovi song.  The band might have better albums, but not by much.  My Overall Score is a 4.5 out of 5.0 Stars.  If the back 1/2 was a little stronger, this would’ve been a 5!  What a great way to kick off their studio albums.

NEXT UP: BON JOVI – ‘SHOT THROUGH THE HEART: LIVE IN CLEVELAND, OH MARCH 17, 1984’ (BOOTLEG – 1984)

THE BON JOVI COLLECTION SERIES:

1. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set (2017)
2. Jon Bongiovi – The Power Station Sessions (1980-1983) (2001)
3. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi (1984)
4. Bon Jovi – Shot Through the Heart: Live in Cleveland, OH March 17, 1984 FM Broadcast (Bootleg)
5. Bon Jovi – 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
6. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)
7. Bon Jovi – New Jersey (1988)
8. Bon Jovi – New Jersey: Super Deluxe Edition – Disc 2/DVD (1988)
9. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – Cassette Single (1988)
10. Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze of Glory (1991)
11. Jon Bon Jovi – “Blaze of Glory” – Cassette Single (1991)
12. Richie Sambora – Stranger in this Town (1991)
13. Bon Jovi – Keep the Faith (1992)
14. Bon Jovi – “I Believe” – 7″ Single (1992)
15. Bon Jovi – Crossroads (1994)
16. Bon Jovi – “Please Come Home for Christmas” – CD Single (1994)
17. Bon Jovi – These Days (1995)
18. Bon Jovi – Live From London – DVD (1995)
19. Jon Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere (1997)
20. Richie Sambora – Undiscovered Soul (1998)
21. Bon Jovi – Crush (2000)
22. Bon Jovi – Live From Osaka E.P. (2000)
23. Bon Jovi – “Thank You For Loving Me” – CD Single (2000)
24. Bon Jovi – The Crush Tour – DVD (2000)
25. Bon Jovi – The Love Songs E.P. (Promo) (2001)
26. Bon Jovi – Tokyo Road: Best of Bon Jovi (2001)
27. Bon Jovi – One Wild Night Live: 1985-2001 (2001)
28. Bon Jovi – Bounce (2002)
29. Bon Jovi – Unauthorized: Rock ‘n Roll Legends – Bootleg DVD (2002)
30. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right (2003)
31. Bon Jovi – Target E.P. (2003)
32. Bon Jovi – Wild in the Streets: Unauthorized – Bootleg DVD (2003)
33. Bon Jovi – This Left Feels Right – DVD (2004)
34. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Part 1) – (2004)
35. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 1, Part 2) – (2004)
36. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 2, Part 3) – (2004)
37. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 3, Part 4) – (2004)
38. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 4, Part 5) – (2004)
39. Bon Jovi – 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong (Disc 5, Part 6) – (2004)
40. Bon Jovi – Have a Nice Day (2005)
41. Bon Jovi – Live from the Have a Nice Day Tour (Walmart Exclusive) (2006)
42. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway (2007)
43. Bon Jovi – Lost Highway: The Concert (2007)
44. Bon Jovi – The Circle (2009)
45. Bon Jovi – When We Were Beautiful Documentary DVD (2009)
46. Bon Jovi – Live at Madison Square Garden – DVD (2009)
47. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection (2009)
48. Bon Jovi – Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Video Collection – DVD (2010)
49. Bon Jovi – Inside Out – DVD (2012)
50. Richie Sambora – Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
51. Bon Jovi – What About Now (2013)
52. Bon Jovi – Live E.P. (RSD – 2013)
53. Bon Jovi – Live 2 E.P. (RSD – 2014)
54. Bon Jovi – Burning Bridges (2015)
55. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale (2016)
56. Bon Jovi – This House is Not For Sale – Live From the London Palladium (2016)
57. Bon Jovi – The Albums Box Set – The Extra LP (2017)
58. RSO – Radio Free America (2018)
59. Bon Jovi – 2020 (2020)
60. Bon Jovi – 40th Anniversary Box Set (TBA – I Hope it is out by the time we get here)

We’ve reviewed a bunch of pieces already over the years and won’t review again. They are as follows:

1. Bon Jovi – The Brotherhood Tour Book (1988-1990)
2. Bon Jovi – Bon Jovi Tour 2011 – Tourbook
3. Bon Jovi – The Rock History – Bootleg CD
4. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love A Bad Name” – 12″ Single
5. Bon Jovi – “You Give Love a Bad Name” – 7″ Single
6. Bon Jovi – Red Hot & 2 Parts Live E.P. – 12″ Single
7. Bon Jovi – “Wanted Dead or Alive” – 7″ Single
8. Bon Jovi – “Bad Medicine” – 7″ Single
9. Bon Jovi – “Born to Be My Baby” – 7″ Single
10. Bon Jovi – “I’ll Be There For You” – 7″ Single
11. Bon Jovi – “Lay Your Hands on Me” – 7″ Single
12. Bon Jovi – “Living in Sin” – 7″ Single