| Jon Bon Jovi Biography Real name : John Francis Bongiovi Jr. born on March 2nd, 1962, in Perth Amboy ( at Perth Amboy General Hospital ), New Jersey at 8:45 pm EST sign Pisces grew up in Sayreville, New Jersey now lives in New Jersey Father : John Bongiovi Snr He is a hairdresser from Sciacca, Italy Mother : Carol Sharkley Bongiovi a florist and former Playboy bunny She was born in Pennsylvannia Nowadays, Carol is the president of the official Bon Jovi fan club. His parents met in the Marine Corps and live nowadays in New Jersey Brothers: Anthony Michaels ( October, 11th, 1966 ) and Matthew ( August, 30th, 1971 ) Height : about 1m, 78 cm tall ( 5ft, 10ins ) Weight : 150 lbs His eyes are blue Hair color : light brown Smoke : yes Tattoos : Superman tattoon on his left upper arm Steers Head on his right upper arm and a small Dragon on his left ankle Nicknames : Captain Kidd, Jonny and JBJ Plays: guitar, piano, harmonica and keyboard Started playing guitar and piano at 13 years old. Favorite subject at school: History Worst subject at school: English Primary & High School: Seyreville War Memorial High School graduated in : 1980 First bands: Raze, Atlantic City Expressway ( ACE ), Raze, The Rest, The Lechers and John Bongiovi and The Wild Ones. Best Friend at school: Dave Sabo ( Skid Row guitar player ) in 1980 Jon moved to Los Angeles than he moved back to his parent's house until 1986 Jobs before Bon Jovi: janitor at the Power Station Studios, worked in a shoe store, pizzarias, he sold burgers, washed cars and worked in a auto body shop owned by his cousin, Tony Bongiovi First recording experience: singing the song "R2-D2 We wish you a merry Christmas" on a Star Wars Christmas album, "Christmas With the Stars" First hit song with Bon Jovi: "Runaway" Opened for: Kiss, Scorpions Auditioned for the movie Footlose Movie debut in the western 'Young Guns II' Favorite drink: 'Muff Dive' ( a mix of Vodka, peach brandy and berry juice ) and wine Married to Dorothea Rose Hurley Bongiovi ( born September, 29th, 1962 ) Date of the wedding: April 28th, 1989 at Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas They had a wedding reception in August 1989 They met at high school Daughter : Stephanie Rose ( born on May 31st, 1993 in Red Bank, New Jersey ) Son: Jesse James Louis ( born on February 19th, 1995 ) Former girlfriends: Adrienne Pillar ( high school ) and actress Diane Lane ( for 10 months in 1985 / 1986 ) Loves : cartoons! Favorite paper heroes : Superman and Uncle Scrooge He is an admittedly workaholic He dedicates his time to several charitable organizations He enjoys movies He is an avid runner He is a die-hard New York GIANTS fan Favorite pet animal: dogs Hates: : cats Favorite food: fast food, cheeseburgers, pizza, Italian, Mexican, sushi Favorite colors : red and purple Other hobbies: swimming, playing baseball, riding his Harley Davidson, driving, working out in the gym Car: Mercedes Arrested twice : for selling bootleg Bruce Springsteen posters and for ice-skating at midnight with Dorothea Richie Sambora Biography Richie Stephen Sambora was born on July 11th, 1959 in Perth Amboy, NJ, but grew up in Woodbridge, also in NJ. His parents are Adam and Joan. When he was a kid, Richie Sambora tried to play piano, saxophone and trumpet. Inspired by people like Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, he decided to pick up a guitar when he was fourteen. A local musician with a track record of minor bands (Screaming Minds) Bruce Foster Band and Duke Williams & The Extremes ). Richie toured with Joe Cocker, been talent-spotted by Led Zeppelin's label playing with a group called Mercy and had just been called up to audition for glam-rock Goliath's Kiss. He also played in the album "Lessons" with the band "Message",with Alec John Such, that has been recently rereleased in CD through Long Island Records. Richie approached Jon at a concert to promote WAPT's compilation ( where "Runaway" was featured ) and expressed an interest in joining the band: "I said I had a lot of songs and I had a knowledge of making records, and that guitar player (Jon's neighbour and future Skid Row's guitarist Dave Sabo) was very good, but he was very young... The band was kicking and I was the missing piece". Jon didn't take it seriously. Alec John Such, Jon's bass player, talked Jon into letting Richie come down and do his stuff. He called him to a rehearsal with his band a week later. Jon listened at the studio door for about 30 seconds and yelled, "Hired". A diversified music listener, Sambora comes from a background of Beatles, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Led Zeppelin, "a lot of blues stuff," and his range of listening goes from Peter Gabriel to Metal Church to Tchaikovsky. Richie Sambora is married to actress Heather Locklear, the gorgeous blonde from 'Melrose place' and 'Spin City'. Richie also dated singer Cher some years ago. Richie married Heather on December 17, 1994 in Paris. They have a daughter called Ava. Richie has already released two solo albums: Stranger in this Town and Undiscovered Soul He also released a CD-ROM called Interactive Guitar When Richie passes aways he would like to be burried with his guitar. David Bryan Biography David Bryan Rashbaum was born on February 7th, 1962 in Edison, New Jersey. His parents are Ed (doctor) and Florence Rashbaum. David also has a sister called Michelle. Dave began playing trumpet (like his Daddy) at an early age. At seven he began classical piano lessons. He developed his musical skills throughout high school ( he was a great student ). At 14, David played in his first band, "Transition". After that, he played in other bands, till he met buddy Jon Bongiovi at Seyreville High School. It was Jon who got him to play keyboards. Jon and David played together in a band called Atlantic City Expressway (ACE ). After graduation David attended Rutgers University majoring in pre-med. He was in pre-med for two years at Rutgers. His parents liked the idea of him becoming a doctor. Jon Bongiovi, convinced Dave that his parents were wrong. David then moved from medicine towards music where he studied at Julliard Music School. ( a classical music school ). "But when Jon called. I dropped that," he says. "I said, 'oh. fuck it. I'll take a chance." Jon and David then formed John Bongiovi & The Wild Ones, a band that was pratically the basis for Bon Jovi. Jon and David, travelled to Los Angeles to promote Jon?s Demo, but, unfortunately, without success. But then Runaway became a success and the rest is history! Dave married his high school sweetie on August 25, 1990. His wife, April McLean, was a jewlery designer in New Jersey. She is a private person who is seldom ever seen or photographed. Dave and April are parents to twins. Gabrielle Luna and Colton Moon were born on March 10, 1994. They all live in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Dave has the joker tattooed on his chest. He also has the Tasmanian Devil on his shoulder. In 1994, David Bryan released another solo album, ( his second after the soundtrack of sci-fie/horror movie Netherworld ) "On a Full Moon", a montage of contemporary instrumentals. The album was produced by David Bryan and Larry Fast at the House of Music in West Orange, NJ. David had an accident with his hand and hasn't been touring with Bon Jovi lately. But he will soon be back :-) |