It's hard to understand just how big this album was at the time unless you were there. Bon Jovi had had a few minor hits before this album, but suddenly was playing stadium tours with hit after hit. The songs still sound great; probably because the band has so much energy on these tracks. It's like they knew they had a breakout record as they were recording it. My favorites include "Livin' On A Prayer", "Wanted Dead or Alive", "Without Love", "You Give Love A Bad Name", and "Never Say Goodbye".
Bon Jovi was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
Lazlo, founder of BlowUpRadio.com (an online radio station based around New Jersey artists), shines a light on some of the many new releases from NJ based musicians with this column. This week Lazlo takes a look at new releases by Des & the Swagmatics, Bamberdost, Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves, Jonny Couch, Sean Henry Tonight!, and Ava LaMonte. Plus a look back at "Duluth" by Particle Zoo.
(FORKED RIVER, NJ) -- In honor of Patriot Day, the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library will host "The Soundtrack of Resilience: Music and 9/11" on Thursday, September 10, 2026. The event begins at 2:00pm.
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Split Level Concerts at the Jersey Shore Arts Center (JSAC) in Ocean Grove has announced the full concert lineup for its third season. All shows will take place beginning at 8:00pm in JSAC's Palaia Theater. The season lineup includes Willie Nile, John Gorka, Dan Bern, Catie Curtis and Band, Stephen Kellogg, Abbie Gardner, Heather Maloney and Band, and Kim Richey. As they have done in prior years, artists from the Asbury Park music scene will open many of the shows.
