Take a behind-the-scenes look at Bon Jovi's self-titled debut album: the recording sessions, the artwork, the music videos, the Runaway Tour, and the album's enduring impact.

Bon Jovi

Chapters

Date

Making The Record

1983

Album Release

1984

Runaway Tour

1984

The Legacy

1985

Making The Record —

the band

David Rashbaum: Piano, Synth
Richie Sambora: Lead guitar
Alec John Such: Bass
Tico Torres: Drums
Jon Bon Jovi: Lead + Backing Vocals, guitar

songwriting

"Shot Through The Heart" (Writing Session - c. 1982)

"Get Ready" (Writing Session - c. 1983)

Bon Jovi In The Studio

The Power Station was a state-of-the art studio... Anytime you're that young and you start creating music, you're a kid in a candy store because you're doing something you love.

Tico Torres

Studio Schedule

Recording at The Power Station, 1983

Bon Jovi studio mixes

Bon Jovi liner notes

The singles

The debut album launched three singles: "Runaway," "Burning For Love," and "She Don't Know Me."

"She Don't Know Me" is the band's only release not written or co-written by Jon Bon Jovi.

Early draft lyrics

Album Release —

Album release

This album is dedicated to my family for making a dream...reality.

Jon Bon Jovi

album cover art

Record company correspondence

The five man group only came together in March of last year, but their experience in music stretches back quite a bit further than that.

Bon Jovi official biography

Some bands were born to rock.

PolyGram Records Ad

It was our first record, it's out there. We were proud of it.

Tico Torres

David, Alec, Jon, Tico, and Richie lean against Tower Records in front of a painted version of the Debut Album cover art (painted by Tony Joni Art Studio), Los Angeles.

Inside Tower Records, there was a hand-crafted Debut album display promoting the debut album and focusing on the single "Runaway."

TOWER RECORDS, 1984

“Runaway” Hot Adds, 1984

Benefit Softball Game

“Runaway” Hot Tracks

The debut album is great, but expect even better in the future.

Nannette Freeman, Oracle

1984

Press coverage

Oracle Predicts Success

Bon Jovi: Remember That Name

Sounds Review

I've worked hard for it and I'm still working hard for it, and that's why I'm here.

Jon Bon Jovi

"Bon Chance"

"Runaway" Music Video

“Runaway” music video

"Runaway" Suede Jacket

“Runaway” music video

1:16

Jon and Tico Talk "Runaway" Shoot Session and Music Video

"She Don't Know Me" Video Shoot

The members of Bon Jovi wait in front of Walnut Grove Market on the set of the "She Don't Know Me" video.

Director Martin Kahan (who also directed "In and Out of Love,") shot most of the band's second video inside and around Brewery Bar in Benicia, California.

Runaway Tour —

BON JOVI are ready to storm the airwaves and stages of Canada from one coast to the other. Are you ready?

PolyGram Canada press release

Live in Pittsburgh

"Breakout" (Live 1984)

Ripley's Music Hall, Philadelphia

6:17

"Breakout" at The Metro

Allentown Fairgrounds

1984

RUNAWAY TOUR

runaway band/crew tour jacket

Runaway Tour Merch

David's Runaway Tour t-shirt

Runaway 1984 tour t-shirt

Runaway Tour cut-off sweatshirt

1984

backstage access

Bongiovi family visit

Runaway Tour Laminates

Runaway Tour luggage tag

runaway tour itinerary

Runaway Tour Moleskine® Journal

$35.00

It was like Christmas every day. We've been doing our own headlining for six weeks or so and then Scorpions asked us to open for them. Suddenly, we were going in front of 10-12,000 people every night and they all knew our lyrics! It was a way to reach massive amounts of people.

Jon Bon Jovi, Rock Fever - 1984

Jon’s mesh shirt

Backstage on tour

Scorpions and Bon Jovi at Madison Square Garden

First shows in La

The band's first shows in LA were off to a strong start with their first national television appearance, March 28, 1984. Popular talk show Thicke of the Night brought Bon Jovi on for three songs and a brief interview with host Alan Thicke.

When asked about what made this lineup click, Jon responded, "It's like one big family. Bon Jovi is my last name, and like my mom says, she's got four other sons."

Country Club 1984 Show Poster (Unsigned / Unframed)

$85.00

Posters

Country Club, April 2, 1984

First LA Gig

American Bandstand debut

TOUR IN JAPAN

Bon Jovi's first trip to Japan was for the Super Rock '84 festival with Scorpions, Whitesnake, The Michael Schenker Group, and Anvil. The festival consisted of stops in Nagoya, Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo, from August 4 through 12. The band was grateful for the opportunity to be on the bill and the new foothold they were able to make in Japan.