The band kicks off its 40th anniversary with newly remastered releases
Bon Jovi is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut, self-titled album with three special releases via Island/UMR. The releases officially kick off the Bon Jovi 40 campaign and are accompanied by various 1984-era merchandise and a 40th anniversary trailer.
Bon Jovi Deluxe Edition consists of the remastered original album in addition to a total of nine bonus tracks, including unreleased studio recordings and four rare live cuts. Jon Bon Jovi co-produced the package alongside longtime sound engineer Obie O’Brien who also mixed the bonus material.
This expanded version showcases the evolution of “Runaway”—from Jon’s original cassette writing demo, the band’s early run-through and a full alternate take, to an extended version of the band’s first hit with a ripping second guitar lead. It also features an early incarnation of “Come Back” where Jon sings his idea for a guitar solo.
The live tracks were recorded during the group’s 1985 shows in Tokyo, which were first available on the CD release Bon Jovi: Special Edition in 2010. The live tracks have been newly mixed for Bon Jovi Deluxe Edition and are available on DSPs for the first time.
A limited edition ruby color vinyl featuring a new alternate cover design, a high-end tip-on jacket, and an exclusive lithograph from an early Ross Halfin photo session of the band will ship on March 22nd. The album has been newly remastered from the original tapes for this release of only 5,000 copies.
In April, the nine-track debut album will once again be available on cassette, as a limited edition release that includes full lyrics and the band photo from the LP sleeve, elements missing from its original release on tape.
“We can’t believe it’s been 40 years since we released Bon Jovi – the record that changed our lives forever,” the band shares on social media.
No CD edition has been announced as of press time.
The album was released on January 21, 1984, via Polygram/Mercury Records, less than a year after forming in their home state of New Jersey. The album charted at No. 43 on the US Billboard 200, and features “You Don’t Know Me,” the only song the group has recorded that wasn’t penned by a member of the band.
In addition, “You Give Love A Bad Name” from the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ 1986 seminal Slippery When Wet album has hit one billion views on Spotify. It’s the group’s second to hit one billion on the platform following “Livin’ On A Prayer” from one year ago. The video for “Prayer” also hit one billion YouTube views a year ago, marking their second YouTube Billion Views Club clip after “It’s My Life” in July 2021.
The 40th anniversary celebration continues this spring with the release of Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, the first-ever docu-series on the band’s history with full cooperation from all past and present members of Bon Jovi. Hulu has acquired the rights to the docu-series, produced by ROS, the banner of filmmaker Gotham Chopra.
The four-part, all-access series chronicling four decades of the iconic rock band Bon Jovi premieres Friday, April 26th on Hulu in the US and coming soon to Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in all other territories. Following one of the world’s most iconic bands and its frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, the documentary gives us a view of the music and the man.
The 40th anniversary celebration started early with the fall 2023 release of a Bon Jovi-branded version of Monopoly. The Hasbro-produced game includes six collectible tokens — 40th Anniversary Heart & Dagger logo, The Have a Nice Day Smirk Face, The Diamond Superman Logo, the band’s home state of New Jersey, the classic Skull logo, and Jon Bon Jovi’s Famous Acoustic Guitar.
This spring, NECA will release a seven-inch Jon Bon Jovi action figure. The posable collectible will feature Jon from the Slippery When Wet era complete with guitar and microphone.
Jon will also be honored as the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year for the 33rd annual Person of the Year benefit gala taking place ahead of the Grammys on February 2nd in Los Angeles. In addition to his extensive musical achievements, Jon Bon Jovi is being recognized for his impactful philanthropic work.
Jon has been spotted around Nashville recently as the group works on the follow-up to the band’s 2020 album. Jon is also attached to a five-floor 30,000 square-foot entertainment complex on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. His involvement has yet to be confirmed, but reports suggest he has teamed with Big Plan Holdings for the property that’s still under construction at 405 Broadway.
Additional 40th anniversary plans are forthcoming.
