Bon Jovi made their debut 40 years ago with their 1984 self-titled album featuring their hit “Runaway,” they were compared to the likes of Loverboy.Words like “characterless” and “nondescript” were used to describe their music in a review by the Washington Post, which called out Jon Bon Jovi’s singing as “high, hysterical screaming.”The review went on to slam his songwriting, saying: “He writes dumb songs about women.”And the review concluded with one final dig.
And I quote: “The band’s brand of antiseptic hard rock only makes you want to cheer on all the more the undiluted heavy rockers like Motley Crue.”Ouch.
The shade was real.Well, 40 years letter, where exactly is Loverboy? And, um, Motley Crue hasn’t released a new studio album since 2008.Despite starting out as the Rodney Dangerfield of rock bands — with absolutely no respect — the Jersey boys were not just livin’ on a prayer four decades ago: In fact, they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 and now they’re back with “Forever,” their new album out on Friday.And despite the ravages of time that made guitarist Richie Sambora get fed up and quit the band in 2013 and frontman Jon Bon Jovi undergo vocal cord surgery at 60 in 2022, Bon Jovi is still Bon Jovi’ing.
When they come out rocking with opening track “Legendary,” that title isn’t a stretch — because, you know what, they are legendary.
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