This Month in 1983, Bon Jovi Kickstarted Their Career & Signed Their First Record Deal

Jon Bon Jovi and Bon Jovi‘s journey to success was fairly speedy, but not easy. On March 14, 1983, Bon Jovi was formed and consisted of original members Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Tico Torres, and Alec John Such. Following their formation, the 80s rock band set out to do what every band sets out to do: sign a record deal. Well, that happened, and rather quickly, as Bon Jovi signed their first-ever record deal on this day, July 1, 1983, just roughly four months after their formation.

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Before the signing of the record deal, Jon Bon Jovi worked as a janitor at the Power Station recording studio, owned by his cousin, Tony Bongiov. While not working at the studio, Jon also practiced his craft and recorded demos there. One single he had written and later recorded with the band following their formation was “Runaway”, which acquired some traction on the New Jersey radio, and ultimately led to the bidding war that would procure them their first record deal.

Once the dust settled from the bidding war, Jon and the band signed their first-ever record deal with Mercury Records on July 1, 1983. Months later, in January of 1984, Bon Jovi released their self-titled debut album.

Behind Bon Jovi’s Initial Chart Run

Released on January 21, 1984, Bon Jovi did not become a smashing success right out of the gate. However, as a young band, they procured the perfect foundation for a long and formidable career. Specifically, upon the album’s release, the album peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. Furthermore, “Runaway”, the song that helped them secure the record deal, peaked at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100. Consequently, the band scored their first-ever Top 40 hit on the first try. Not too shabby.

While these numbers surely boosted their confidence, they weren’t numbers that alluded to a long and fruitful career. Though, like everyone in any field, they just needed to get their footing so they could jump, and they jumped. Following the first-ever record deal and debut album, the band released their second studio album,  7800° Fahrenheit, in March of 1985.

Upon its release, 7800° Fahrenheit peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard 200, and they had two singles grace the Billboard Hot 100. In the later years, the album received Gold and Platinum certifications. Subsequently, Bon Jovi went on to rule the 80s and early 90s with the release of their hit albums Slippery When Wet, New Jersey, and Cross Road.

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