Jon Bon Jovi Admits the ‘Hedonistic ’80s Were Everything That They Said They Were’
If you’re a fan of 80s rock music, then you know there isn’t any music today that can compare to its talent, range, and diversity — especially Jon Bon Jovi and his band, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, and more. They simply brought more to the table and became iconically unparalleled.
Not to mention, it’s a wonder how they could function and perform with all the rumored drugs, alcohol, and overall party lifestyle that was known to come with the territory of being a rock star. It makes us wonder if it’s even true. According to Bon Jovi — without a doubt.
Jon Bon Jovi’s rock career and rise to fame
Bon Jovi has always been passionate about music, exploring his love and talent for the industry as early as 13 but not establishing himself until a few years later. His most popular songs that make their way to our playlists even today include “It’s My Life,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “Runaway,” and “Livin’ On a Prayer.”
While he was in several bands before making it big, it was Bon Jovi with fellow rock stars David Bryan, Phil X, Hugh McDonald, and Tico Torres that would jumpstart his rise to fame and earn him a special spot in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. It would also earn him 7 big award wins, including a Grammy and Golden Globe.
Now he’s introducing a new album that fans are going crazy over.
The rise of rock bands in the ’80s
Between the ’70s and ’80s, there really is no music that can compare to the art created and the vocal and instrumental talent beyond its age and better than nearly everything before it.
It also came with a lot of face makeup, long hair, and more drugs and booze than anyone could ever really need in a lifetime. After all, it has always been known for its over-the-top lifestyle and, of course, self-indulgence in just about any and all temptations.
According to Mojo, Bon Jovi made it into the top 10 hard rock bands of the 80s alongside Poison, Scorpions, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, AC/DC, Ozzy Osbourne, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and Guns N’ Roses.
Bon Jovi confirms the lifestyle rock bands were known for living by
In a Life is Short podcast interview, Justin Long asked, “Were those the years?”
The legendary rock star laughed and said, “Let me tell you something, my brother. The hedonistic ’80s were everything that they said they were. Being in a rock band and being Jon Bon Jovi in a rock band was pretty f*cking good. [laughs] … I’m so far removed from it that I was never not me. But the truth is you can tell a little bit more of the truth without giving it all away.”
“And the truth is,” Bon Jovi adds. “We had a lot of fun … From the fun standpoint, it just always got better until you found other things to keep you happy, you know, to have fun with. So this was good work, good work if you can get it. We enjoyed every minute of it while still showing up for work.”
We suppose there’s a reason any lifestyle that remotely compares to a rock star uses the term. Although, we can guarantee beyond reason that it is nothing compared to the 80s, the rock bands that encompassed the era, and the party lifestyle that not only made most of them who they are but even took some talented lives along the way.
