Jon Bon Jovi

About Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi (born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. on March 2, 1962) is an American musician, songwriter and actor. As lead singer and founder of the rock band Bon Jovi, he has sold over 120 million albums worldwide. He is also the owner of an Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul.

Jon Bon Jovi was born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the son of two former marines, hairdresser John Francis Bongiovi, Sr. and one-time Playboy bunny Carol Sharkey. He is Italian-American: his father was born in Sciacca, near Agrigento in Sicily. He grew up in neighboring Sayreville, New Jersey. Bon Jovi attended St. Joseph High School, in Metuchen, New Jersey during his freshman and sophomore years. He later transferred to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, New Jersey.

When he was 17, John was working sweeping floors at his cousin Tony Bongiovi's recording studio, The Power Station. In 1980, when Meco was there recording Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album, Tony recommended John for the song "R2-D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas." This became his first professional recording (credited as John Bongiovi).