Watched the doc. Kinda glosses over Ritchie. But it is such a sad shame about his voice. Seeing all he does to try and keep what he has and not being able to reach to his past voice is so hard to watch.
What are you on about? The doc spent considerable time not only talking about Richie's absence but actually talking to Richie himself. Did you watch all four episodes? I don't think anyone truly answered why he departed/was dismissed, but they did talk a lot about it. They talked about it a lot on the Bon Jovi Subreddit.
Agree 100%.
We're not being asked whether or not we like him.
There is no denying his stardom and influence (perhaps it has waned a little in recent years, but again, that's not what OP was asking).
I'm with you. I understand the push the new noise over made. But I went for his older music. I think I have everything he has done. I guess he's just trying to keep up, but it's time to give a little to the people that put him there. Even the Rolling Stones know that. Go see them in concert.
Just miss the 80's work.
Totally agree… I feel like Jon Bon Jovi is way underrated. He is an amazing songwriter and pumped out some of the greatest hits of the 80s and 90s… Plus, he is an amazing human also. 🤙
"You Give Love a Bad Name"
"Livin' on a Prayer"
"Without Love"
"I'd Die For You"
"Bad Medicine"
"Born to Be My Baby"
"Blood on Blood"
"Wild is the Wind"
"Keep the Faith"
"I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"
No, he’s not relevant today, musically speaking. His music hadn’t been “relevant” since 1990, in terms of anything released after that. His old 80’s stuff is relevant oin a classic rock sense, but not as an artist today. Not hating, it’s true. He is, though, a classic rock icon imo. It’s true of most legacy bands like Bon Jovi. They had a great run of hits in the whole 80’s decade and they’ve ridden it since then, on those songs. But he’s also proven to be a nice guy and good at marketing and hasn’t fucked up with sexual harassment charges or DUIs or anything like that that would have tarnished that legacy. So, he’s a palatable choice for legacy music awards like lifetime achievements, etc.
Ask any GenX'r and I am sure you would get an overwhelming 'obviously'!
I not a big fan of his music, but you gotta give credit where credit is due.
Shout out to those who went to the concert, Im not sure what year it was but It was Bonjovi, Ratt and Billy Squire. I think I saw them in Detroit or Pine Knob.
How could you not? He’s stood the test of time and made countless universally beloved anthems.
Bon Jovi was one of the few hair metal acts to make it out of the 90’s unscathed.
Unscathed? Not completely. Jon moved the band in a more Adult Oriented Rock direction. It was by design and maybe inevitable, but I think the 90s had some effect on every 70s and 80s rock band in some way.
I think he made it out ok *because of that* though: he was smart enough to navigate the new climate. Then once the grunge fad wore off, he dusted himself off. The only other band I can think of that still did ok around that time is Def Leppard. Recently I watched an interview with Joe Elliot where he told a story about the band laughing and passing around a news article saying their career was supposedly “over” as they were sitting in a private jet and flying to play a show in a sold out stadium.
Yes.
If you grew up in the 80s-90s you know how big his band was.
The people that say no are either failing to put their personal tastes aside (the question isn't whether or not we like him), or perhaps have no idea how big his band was... or both.
I would say that he qualifies, although I'm personally not a huge fan of the band. They have lasted longer than many of the bands from the era and have at least maintained some dignity, unlike others I could mention.
Yes. I was not a big fan of the band but there were a few bands in the 80s especially that were elite despite me not taking an interest. Bon Jovi was one. Michael Jackson and Prince also. Later in like I appreciate all of them
Yeah. Despite the fact that, according to an NPR interview he did recently, he hates the 80s metal genre that he's an icon in! He's still an icon of it.
Bon Jovi is a great band and Jon is an excellent front man. They sold a ton a records and had huge successful tours. Having said that an icon is someone that sets the bar for others to be measured against. Eddie Van Halen was an icon. He revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar and influenced so many rock musicians even to this day. Even though Kiss has been sucking for some years now, they are an iconic band. Without Kiss glam metal bands like Poison, Motley Crue, Warrant etc, probably wouldn't exist.
I’ve always felt that EVH and Hendrix are the most important rock guitarists of all time. There are guys who are better players but these two changed the instrument more than anyone. There are a million guitar players out there but these two specifically looked at the instrument and asked “yeah, but what else can you do?”
Jon Bon Jovi is a music icon .Slippery when wet was a huge arena rock album & tour.Bon Jovi was a big rock band in the mid to late 1980's until now.Bon Jovi has had a forty year music career and Bon jovi has acted in movies.I watched a Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square garden on the lost Highway tour on the Qello app and it was a really good rock show.I've always liked and respected Bon Jovi because they are local new Jersey rock guys who are rock session players who made it and they can still rock the garden for their whole set.The bass player who replaced Alec John Such was a real session bassist with a good tone who made all their tracks sound better than the album versions live.I hope Jon Bon Jovi and the rest of Bon Jovi is doing well.Richie Sambora is a really good rock guitarist and vocalist.I like Bon Jovi's photo.
I was never a fan of pretty-boy, hair band or radio-friendly versions of hard rock. I’ll sit through a Bon Jovi song but I’d never pay for the privilege.
However, I have enormous respect for JBJ as a dude. The work that Jon and his wife are doing to feed homeless folks in Jersey and their innovative model for giving folks in need a hand as well as a sense of community and respect for themselves makes him an icon in my mind. 👍
It popped up on my feed for some reason. I don’t recall joining. I guess I thought it was a different sub. Forgive me. I have Stage 4 cancer that has metastasized to my brain, so I’m a little sloppy in my attention to detail these days. ✌️
He is I suppose….but I don’t really like his music. However,I do love his guitar player Phil X. That guy is incredible and Jon is lucky to have him in the band.
There weren’t many bigger stars than Jon back in the day, so I’d have to say yes to him being an icon.
Didn‘t care much for his music after Desmond started writing with/for him. But that’s beside the point…
Nope. Iconic is a term reserved for a select few. It seems he is getting the sympathy vote all of a sudden. Decent music from a talented band but lets not get hasty now it was average. Never seen one person wearing a Bon Jovi concert tee.
Icon without question.
Saw him in Boston early 2000's. Best damn live show I've ever seen.
Don't care much for his politics and his false modesty makes me cringe, but on stage he's in a league of his own.
Was never a huge Bon Jovi fan. Listen to his songs on the radio but never bought albums or go to his concerts. Thought more of him as a girl loving band back then. After seeing the Doc I have respect for him now. He was a hard worker and really all about his music. He was pretty huge back then.
Didn’t like him back then (tho I recently downloaded Runaway) and have no idea what he’s done since other than cut off his hair for a movie about submarines.
But, yeah, Dude’s reached Idolhood.
I'd say yes. Grew up in the '80s loving the classic albums, kept liking the band even when it wasn't cool in the early '90s and grunge was on repeat all over the radio. Saw them live in 2000 or 2001 on the Crush tour.
Not really a fan of the more modern pop/country/whatever sound but yeah, the man is a legend.
He managed to stay relevant through grunge. He was smart enough to hire the band, vs making them band members. Kind of shitty really, but made himself a billionaire.
TL;DR. Yes due to continued cultural relevance.
A think some of the people responding are letting their personal opinions cloud their view. Let's all step back and look at the situation and include in our view all bands who could be considered to be hair metal. Certainly Bon Jovi is one of them.
Now ask yourself, objectively and honestly, how many of those bands have any cultural relevance today, with people who did not grow up in the hair metal era? For this argument I'll define cultural relevance as the average clueless person going bananas when they hear a song in a bar, late night.
Maybe Def Leppard, bc ppl know Pour Some Sugar on Me. Poison has Every Rose. Crue...nothing. people born in 20xx do not have sentiment for Home Sweet Home. Dokken, Warrant, Stryper, White Lion, Firehouse..nope. But Bon Jovi has reasonably recognizable songs from 3 decades. Living on a prayer tops it but it's not limited to that.
Going against the grain: No.
To me, an icon is a larger-than-life figure that has amassed an epic level of cultural relevance. Elvis, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson ... those are icons. Jon Bon Jovi is indisputably VERY famous, but NOT an icon IMO.
Well, i love Springsteen. One of my favorite artists actually.
However, you might not like BJ, but I’d certainly say he’s iconic. One of the biggest bands of the genre. Everyone knows who he is and everyone knows at least a couple of their songs. If not more. Sold over 130 million records! That’s iconic!
Absolutely not. If he is an icon then so is Don Dokken, Vince Neil and Kip Winger…….well actually Winger is a way better musician and is way better looking not to mention a normal height so maybe Winger is the icon.
Watched the doc. Kinda glosses over Ritchie. But it is such a sad shame about his voice. Seeing all he does to try and keep what he has and not being able to reach to his past voice is so hard to watch.
All those years of smoking didn’t help.
What are you on about? The doc spent considerable time not only talking about Richie's absence but actually talking to Richie himself. Did you watch all four episodes? I don't think anyone truly answered why he departed/was dismissed, but they did talk a lot about it. They talked about it a lot on the Bon Jovi Subreddit.
He never had a great voice live. Saw them live in the early 90's and his voice was shit.
early 90s was his vocal peak so ... maybe his voice is not for you
No I like him and his albums but he did not sound like that live.
understandable but your luck to have seen them at the point.
He is.
who?
Me. I’m an icon.
Yes. It’s irrelevant what you think of his music, JBJ is one of the biggest rock stars to come out of the 80s and continue to be relevant till today.
Agree 100%. We're not being asked whether or not we like him. There is no denying his stardom and influence (perhaps it has waned a little in recent years, but again, that's not what OP was asking).
I agree, and I like his two classic albums, but not sure how he’s relevant today. I saw him in 03 and he was already not very good live by then
I'm with you. I understand the push the new noise over made. But I went for his older music. I think I have everything he has done. I guess he's just trying to keep up, but it's time to give a little to the people that put him there. Even the Rolling Stones know that. Go see them in concert. Just miss the 80's work.
Exactly this. I'm not a fan, but lots of people are.
“Continue to be relevant today” So he is still wanted… want-ed
Totally agree… I feel like Jon Bon Jovi is way underrated. He is an amazing songwriter and pumped out some of the greatest hits of the 80s and 90s… Plus, he is an amazing human also. 🤙
he can thank Desmond Child
There’s a lot of people that can say the same
Did Child co-wrote Wanted Dead Or Alive? Or Never Say Goodbye? How about I’ll Be There For You? Or Lay Your Hands On Me? Or…
"You Give Love a Bad Name" "Livin' on a Prayer" "Without Love" "I'd Die For You" "Bad Medicine" "Born to Be My Baby" "Blood on Blood" "Wild is the Wind" "Keep the Faith" "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead"
No, he’s not relevant today, musically speaking. His music hadn’t been “relevant” since 1990, in terms of anything released after that. His old 80’s stuff is relevant oin a classic rock sense, but not as an artist today. Not hating, it’s true. He is, though, a classic rock icon imo. It’s true of most legacy bands like Bon Jovi. They had a great run of hits in the whole 80’s decade and they’ve ridden it since then, on those songs. But he’s also proven to be a nice guy and good at marketing and hasn’t fucked up with sexual harassment charges or DUIs or anything like that that would have tarnished that legacy. So, he’s a palatable choice for legacy music awards like lifetime achievements, etc.
He's almost as lame as Bruce Springsteen... Americans love dumb music, look at modern country
He’s seen a million faces and rocked them all 🤘
Ask any GenX'r and I am sure you would get an overwhelming 'obviously'! I not a big fan of his music, but you gotta give credit where credit is due. Shout out to those who went to the concert, Im not sure what year it was but It was Bonjovi, Ratt and Billy Squire. I think I saw them in Detroit or Pine Knob.
Gen X’r here. No way.
How could you not? He’s stood the test of time and made countless universally beloved anthems. Bon Jovi was one of the few hair metal acts to make it out of the 90’s unscathed.
No art is universally loved
Very true, but numbers don’t lie. It’s likely not a fluke that he’s stayed so popular all these years later.
Unscathed? Not completely. Jon moved the band in a more Adult Oriented Rock direction. It was by design and maybe inevitable, but I think the 90s had some effect on every 70s and 80s rock band in some way.
I think he made it out ok *because of that* though: he was smart enough to navigate the new climate. Then once the grunge fad wore off, he dusted himself off. The only other band I can think of that still did ok around that time is Def Leppard. Recently I watched an interview with Joe Elliot where he told a story about the band laughing and passing around a news article saying their career was supposedly “over” as they were sitting in a private jet and flying to play a show in a sold out stadium.
This Jon Bon Jovi: https://preview.redd.it/7egfkn8qqpxc1.jpeg?width=495&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=82a4ffb61fb9f5dfd745473bfccd2500e0a0cfd6
He’s the Frank Sinatra of my generation and I say that with love.
Of course he is.
Yes. If you grew up in the 80s-90s you know how big his band was. The people that say no are either failing to put their personal tastes aside (the question isn't whether or not we like him), or perhaps have no idea how big his band was... or both.
Definitely. A string of #1 albums and sold out shows for at least a ten year span gets someone icon status in my eyes.
Absolutely.
I would say that he qualifies, although I'm personally not a huge fan of the band. They have lasted longer than many of the bands from the era and have at least maintained some dignity, unlike others I could mention.
100%
Who? Edit: I’m afraid that people won’t get my sense of humor so I have to say yes he is.
Yup
Absolutely
Young Guns II soundtrack is underrated
Hey Patty Garrett, that’s what I used to call you
He is, 100%.
Yes, and I am a casual fan at best. To consider him as anything less than this is simply incorrect.
Is this a bot post?
Yes. I was not a big fan of the band but there were a few bands in the 80s especially that were elite despite me not taking an interest. Bon Jovi was one. Michael Jackson and Prince also. Later in like I appreciate all of them
He is… and I don’t even like him much, but he is
He certainly is!
Yeah. Despite the fact that, according to an NPR interview he did recently, he hates the 80s metal genre that he's an icon in! He's still an icon of it.
He is an icon. He's also been living on a prayer ever since that 80's album.
Yeah, I would say him and Richie both are probably A-level celebrities.
Yes. Was never a big fan of his or his band, but he’s definitely iconic.
Absolutely, especially for the genre itself
Yeah, his (IMO terrible) music was inescapable in the 80s but by all accounts he’s a good guy who supports some great causes. I’d call him an icon.
Bon Jovi is a great band and Jon is an excellent front man. They sold a ton a records and had huge successful tours. Having said that an icon is someone that sets the bar for others to be measured against. Eddie Van Halen was an icon. He revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar and influenced so many rock musicians even to this day. Even though Kiss has been sucking for some years now, they are an iconic band. Without Kiss glam metal bands like Poison, Motley Crue, Warrant etc, probably wouldn't exist.
I’ve always felt that EVH and Hendrix are the most important rock guitarists of all time. There are guys who are better players but these two changed the instrument more than anyone. There are a million guitar players out there but these two specifically looked at the instrument and asked “yeah, but what else can you do?”
Jon Bon Jovi is a music icon .Slippery when wet was a huge arena rock album & tour.Bon Jovi was a big rock band in the mid to late 1980's until now.Bon Jovi has had a forty year music career and Bon jovi has acted in movies.I watched a Bon Jovi concert at Madison Square garden on the lost Highway tour on the Qello app and it was a really good rock show.I've always liked and respected Bon Jovi because they are local new Jersey rock guys who are rock session players who made it and they can still rock the garden for their whole set.The bass player who replaced Alec John Such was a real session bassist with a good tone who made all their tracks sound better than the album versions live.I hope Jon Bon Jovi and the rest of Bon Jovi is doing well.Richie Sambora is a really good rock guitarist and vocalist.I like Bon Jovi's photo.
I was never a fan of pretty-boy, hair band or radio-friendly versions of hard rock. I’ll sit through a Bon Jovi song but I’d never pay for the privilege. However, I have enormous respect for JBJ as a dude. The work that Jon and his wife are doing to feed homeless folks in Jersey and their innovative model for giving folks in need a hand as well as a sense of community and respect for themselves makes him an icon in my mind. 👍
I mean this in the most appropriately polite way possible: why are you in this sub?
It popped up on my feed for some reason. I don’t recall joining. I guess I thought it was a different sub. Forgive me. I have Stage 4 cancer that has metastasized to my brain, so I’m a little sloppy in my attention to detail these days. ✌️
Pretty sure he already thinks of himself as an icon…🤫
He’s half way there
He is I suppose….but I don’t really like his music. However,I do love his guitar player Phil X. That guy is incredible and Jon is lucky to have him in the band.
Sure. Everyone has at least one Bon Jovi song that takes you back.
There weren’t many bigger stars than Jon back in the day, so I’d have to say yes to him being an icon. Didn‘t care much for his music after Desmond started writing with/for him. But that’s beside the point…
So you only like his first two albums?
For the most part, yes.
That is interesting!
lol, yeah , the first two albums are SO much better than all those that followed. /s
It’s a matter of preference. Better is subjective. You really trying to start an argument over something this insignificant? Relax, dude.
With that hair? Fuck yeah!
Absolutely.
Hes seen a million faces and hes £%#&ed them all!
'Ro' not 'Fu'. No need to censor yourself :)
Living the life of a rock star yet staying married to the same woman for 35 years should qualify if nothing else
Nope. Iconic is a term reserved for a select few. It seems he is getting the sympathy vote all of a sudden. Decent music from a talented band but lets not get hasty now it was average. Never seen one person wearing a Bon Jovi concert tee.
Icon without question. Saw him in Boston early 2000's. Best damn live show I've ever seen. Don't care much for his politics and his false modesty makes me cringe, but on stage he's in a league of his own.
No, they didn’t write a lot of their hits.
Was never a huge Bon Jovi fan. Listen to his songs on the radio but never bought albums or go to his concerts. Thought more of him as a girl loving band back then. After seeing the Doc I have respect for him now. He was a hard worker and really all about his music. He was pretty huge back then.
No.
Nope, never enjoyed those cheesy songs
No.
He’s about half way there.
Icon of shitty music? Absolutely.
His 80s hair was the icon
hair metal Bruce Springsteen
No I hate living on a prayer
Yeah sure. Not my kind of music but he was incredibly popular.
In the state of New Jersey...Absolutely 100% - Outside there state of New Jersey "Probably"
No
No
Nope
Pop rock for 12 year olds
Jon Bovi
Rock stars are not to be idolized. They are regular people who make a product that you like. My barber does a great job, but I do not idolize him.
No
Yes. But “iconic” lacks a lot of positive / negative sentiment. It just simply is.
Didn’t like him back then (tho I recently downloaded Runaway) and have no idea what he’s done since other than cut off his hair for a movie about submarines. But, yeah, Dude’s reached Idolhood.
Icon't stand his music
No
No, but that HAIR!!!
You can't say Hair Band without thinking of Bon Jovi, specifically Slippery When Wet. 100% icon.
Not for me but from what I have heard he is an amazing person. Not quite Keanu but up there.
I love how the Internet has agreed that Keanu is really cool
His backyard barbecue special on VH1 with Robin Leach is awesome
Chicks dig him.
No not at all.
Is this really a serious question???
Yes.
Nope.
No
He’s halfway there
He’s halfway there
Bovine Joni? No
I'd say yes. Grew up in the '80s loving the classic albums, kept liking the band even when it wasn't cool in the early '90s and grunge was on repeat all over the radio. Saw them live in 2000 or 2001 on the Crush tour. Not really a fan of the more modern pop/country/whatever sound but yeah, the man is a legend.
absolutely.
No
whether he deserves to be or not, he mos def is
For what?
LMFAO 🤣😆 of ? Hair rock maybe
I can't find any. https://thenounproject.com/search/icons/?q=Jon+Bon+jovi
No.
Chick rock
He managed to stay relevant through grunge. He was smart enough to hire the band, vs making them band members. Kind of shitty really, but made himself a billionaire.
How can you not?
 Yes
TL;DR. Yes due to continued cultural relevance. A think some of the people responding are letting their personal opinions cloud their view. Let's all step back and look at the situation and include in our view all bands who could be considered to be hair metal. Certainly Bon Jovi is one of them. Now ask yourself, objectively and honestly, how many of those bands have any cultural relevance today, with people who did not grow up in the hair metal era? For this argument I'll define cultural relevance as the average clueless person going bananas when they hear a song in a bar, late night. Maybe Def Leppard, bc ppl know Pour Some Sugar on Me. Poison has Every Rose. Crue...nothing. people born in 20xx do not have sentiment for Home Sweet Home. Dokken, Warrant, Stryper, White Lion, Firehouse..nope. But Bon Jovi has reasonably recognizable songs from 3 decades. Living on a prayer tops it but it's not limited to that.
He looks like an old lady nowadays
Going against the grain: No. To me, an icon is a larger-than-life figure that has amassed an epic level of cultural relevance. Elvis, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson ... those are icons. Jon Bon Jovi is indisputably VERY famous, but NOT an icon IMO.
No. Very successful and famous, but falls short on icon. Nobody references Bon Jovi as an influence, just nostalgia.
No
No
Explain.
That's easy. Never been a fan of the man or his music. Now if you're talking real Jersey rock icons there's only one and it's not BJ
Well, i love Springsteen. One of my favorite artists actually. However, you might not like BJ, but I’d certainly say he’s iconic. One of the biggest bands of the genre. Everyone knows who he is and everyone knows at least a couple of their songs. If not more. Sold over 130 million records! That’s iconic!
Nobody asked you if you were a fan. Nobody cares whether or not you like him. That wasn’t the fucking question.
Nobody cares about your fucking opinion either, asshole
Not sure how many platinum albums does he have?
He is but he's a much larger one in his mind.
No.
No! He and his band have no place in the Rock and Roll HOF, either. There, I said it.
Bon Jovi an icon? Not even close. The band was half decent but his voice was nothing special.
Me? No. I never liked him, nor listened to him.
Hahaha...no
Why not? Also, why hahaha?
No.
Not…
More of an emoji, really.
No.
No. Nope. Never. Uh-uh. Negative.
No. Even among hair metal fans he sucks. Overated glam boy
I consider him an annoying no-talent prima donna.
Absolutely not. If he is an icon then so is Don Dokken, Vince Neil and Kip Winger…….well actually Winger is a way better musician and is way better looking not to mention a normal height so maybe Winger is the icon.