Bon Jovi (album)

Bon Jovi is the debut album of the American rock band Bon Jovi.

Recording and production
In 1980, Jon Bon Jovi started to work at Power Station Studios, recording facility in Manhattan where his cousin, Tony Bongiovi, was a co-owner. During this time, Jon made several demo tracks and sent them out to many record companies. All demos were rejected

In 1982, Jon took his demos to a local radio station The DJ listened to Jon's demos and loved "Runaway", deciding to include it on the station's compilation album of local homegrown talent. The song began to get airplay around New York. Jon signed to Mercury Records.

In March 1983 Bon Jovi called David Bryan, who in turn called bassist Alec John Such and an experienced drummer named Tico Torres. During recording of the album, the bands initial guitarist was replaced by Richie Sambora.

The band recorded the album under the title "Tough Talk" at Power Station Studios. Before release, the record company suggested changing the title to "Bon Jovi," feeling it was wiser for the album to be self-titled.

Release and reception
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."

Track listing
1998 Special Edition bonus CD 2010 Special Edition bonus tracks

Bon Jovi

 * Jon Bon Jovi – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
 * Richie Sambora – Lead guitar, backing vocals
 * Alec John Such – Bass guitar, backing vocals
 * Tico Torres – Drums, percussion
 * David Rashbaum– Keyboards, backing vocals

Additional personnel

 * Roy Bittan – Keyboards
 * Chuck Burgi - Additional drums
 * David Grahmme - Backing vocals
 * Doug Katsaros - Additional keyboards
 * Frankie LaRocka – Drums
 * Hugh McDonald – Bass guitar
 * Aldo Nova - Additional guitar and keyboards
 * Tim Pierce – Guitar
 * Mick Seeley - Backing vocals, composer of keyboard intro in Runaway