Bon Jovi History eras

Now that we’re most likely heading to the end of the history of our beloved band, I was thinking on how could it be divided.

This is the division I thought (sorry about the names, I’m not that good naming things)

1983-1985 The formation years, where the band was still figuring out who they were and how to do it.

1986-1991 The top of the world years, when they became a smash hit. This was the era of #1s, excruciating tours and greatest success.

1992-1999 The 90s, where the band switched their style and reached its peak in terms of musicality, composition and lyrically wise.

2000-2006 The turn of the millenium, where they came back with yet another new style, and had their last smash hits (It’s my life -worldwide- and Who says -in US-)

2007-2013 The “machine” years, where John Shanks took greater creative control, and the music and lyrics took a more “adult” turn. On the plus side, this was the time of Jon’s vocal and performance Indian summer.

2014- The post-Richie years, marked by Jon’s vocal decline, longer hiatuses, and Shanks still on command. Anyway, out of his comfort zone, Jon was moved to do better compositions.

What do you think? Is there some change you would make to this division, or maybe have more or less eras?

I think that Shanks takes way too much credit for the way the records sound. Sure, he’s part of it, but if Jon wanted their sound to be different, it’d probably be …


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I don't know if Shanks takes credit so much as everyone gives him the blame. Personally I think Jon's voice is a big part of the problem, the amount of digital processing on top of his voice has a lot to do with how the rest of the band is processed to me. But 2020 sure sounded a lot better.

But yeah, the buck stops with Jon. Shanks fought for Phil's Beautiful Drug solo so he gests some points in my books for that.