Bon Jovi Live at the Agora
Listen to this vintage concert from Bon Jovi at the Cleveland Agora on March 17, 1984.
Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi (John Francis Bongiovi, Jr.), guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres. The band's lineup has remained mostly static during their history, the only exception being the departure of bass player Alec John Such in 1994, who was unofficially replaced by Hugh McDonald.
Once the and began playing showcases and opening for local talent, they caught the attention of record executive Derek Shulman, who signed them to Mercury Records and who was part of the PolyGram company. Because Jon Bon Jovi wanted a group name, Pamela Maher, a friend of Richard Fischer and an employee of Doc McGhee, suggested they call themselves Bon Jovi, following the example of the other famous two word bands such as Van Halen. This name was chosen instead of the original idea of Johnny Electric. Pamela's suggestion of the name was met with little enthusiasm, but two years later they hit the charts under that name.
Bon Jovi on 5/20/84 in Chicago,Il. (Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage) More Photos
With the help of their new manager Doc McGhee they recorded the band's debut album, Bon Jovi, which was released on January 21, 1984. The album included the band's first hit single, "Runaway", reaching top forty on the Billboard Hot 100. The album peaked at number forty-three on the Billboard 200 album chart. And the group found themselves opening for Scorpions in U.S. and for Kiss in Europe.
Plus check out "She Don't Know Me" live from Super Rock Festival '84 at Seibu Stadium in Tokyo, Japan on August 11, 1984.
