Happy 49th Birthday, Jon Bon Jovi!

There is no question that Jon Bon Jovi is a true American music legend.  His road to fame and fortune has not always been so easily paved, however. He describes his childhood as being "very happy, despite very limited resources".  His band's first album was only marginally successful.  Do you remember the first Bon Jovi song you ever heard?  What was it?

For me, it was a song off of the first Bon Jovi album, called "She Don't Know Me".  I saw the video on MTV - and couldn't stop singing it for months.  That debut album, "Bon Jovi", also featured the song, "Runaway".

Most of the world was introduced to Jon Bon Jovi when Bon Jovi's third album, "Slippery When Wet", came out in late 1986.  The band shot to super-stardom around the world with songs such as "You Give Love A Bad Name", "Livin' On A Prayer", and "Wanted Dead Or Alive".  The album has sold in excess of 28 million copies worldwide since its release in late 1986.

That was just the beginning for Jon Bon Jovi.  His music career has been booming ever since, and he has also become a successful actor, as well.  He is also extremely active in several charities.  Among those; Special Olympics, The American Red Cross, and Habitat For Humanity.  Politically, he has  become a very prominent figure in the Democratic Party.

Those of us that are 80's kids, will always be big fans of Bon Jovi.  He looks, and sounds, just as good now as he did 25 years ago.  Here's hoping he comes to Minnesota in the near future!

Either way, happy 49th birthday Jon - and thanks for all the memories....