Portland Public Library

Bon Jovi, America's ultimate band, Margaret Olson

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 143-146), discography (pages 147-148) , and index

collective biography

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Bon Jovi

discographiesbibliography

811600939

Margaret Olson

Tempo: a Scarecrow Press music series on rock, pop, and culture

America's ultimate band

This book chronicles the history and music of Bon Jovi from its inception to present day. It examines Bon Jovi's musical and social relevance to listeners past and present, exploring the remarkable ways the band has emerged as the expression and product of deep cultural needs and how, within a few years of commercial success, it has made a lasting impact on Generation X, the music business, and American culture. Through opportunities offered by cable television, Hollywood, and corporate brands, Bon Jovi has been able to influence not only the music, film, and television industries but also the worlds of fashion, musical theater, art, philanthropy, and politics. Its members have struggled with addiction, the demands of fame, and a lack of critical respect. They have persevered to become one of the United States' world's best-selling touring bands. Bon Jovi is a testament to the way modern culture and entertainment can become intertwined, and its success underscores the length of the band's career, the professionalism of its management, the recognition of what audiences want, and the unique way the music-more than anything else-both reflects and shapes the social and musical American landscape it inhabits

An American band -- The songs -- MTV's band for a generation --- Excess and sobriety -- Cross commercialism as a survival tool -- The gender divide? -- The Bon Jovi brand -- Philanthropy, Bon Jovi's other legacy