How important were external songwriters for their succes?

Exactly. Some interesting history stuff and a 1983 interview about Runaway on Backstage too.

https://backstage.bonjovi.com/exhibits/the-origin-story
https://backstage.bonjovi.com/artifa...-with-bon-jovi

I couldn't get into that record at all. There's been a couple interesting takeaways, still:

1. The opening track (The Price of Loving You) had also been recorded by Bonfire (German band that also covered Sword and Stone by Kiss). Their version credits the band members and Desmond. Desmond's version only credits him. So he certainly didn't always "co-write" but did bring in complete songs.

2. Richie has writing credits on the album, Jon doesn't. Jon also never wrote with Desmond after Richie left.

Richie has his own version of the song:

Bon Jovi Sessions From the Vault Discs 10 & 11 The Stranger in This Town rehearsals
Richie Sambora,Tico Torres and Dave Bryan along with the rest of Richie's live solo tour band rehearse for the short lived 1991 solo tour.
They play solo stuff as well as a few unreleased cuts and songs Richie wrote for other artists.

Maybelline, Rosie, Stranger in This Town, Rest in Peace, Church of Desire #1-#10, If I Can't Have Your Love, River of Love #1-#3, Richie talks, Mr. Bluesman, Father Time, The Answer, Broken Promises, Prisoner of Love, Discipline

I was trying to reach it on YouTube but couldn't find it

found it:

https://youtu.be/3Nor1qIquKk?si=y8ZdE16Hnjla197u

I just remember back in the day being very disappointed; as I was expecting a killer rock record. This is the same guy that co-wrote Spark In Dark and Why Trust You with The Coop?

Listening to it today and I actually didn't mind most of it, go figure.

On a side note, when listening to that Love On The Rooftop song, the pre-chorus made me think of I just saw Hayley's Comet from Second Chance by Shinedown.

According To The Gospel Of Love has got a great riff. Just checked the credits. Its co-written with Sambora. Makes sense, I can imagine it having a place on Stranger In This Town.

The vocal lines are extremely Richie too.

Absolutely. Would have been a killer with his voice. Its weird Richie "gave" it to Desmond as it would blend perfectly with songs like Church Of Desire.

Like I said, I think it was somewhat true but I do think his Uncle Tony was a lot more involved than Jon likes to give him credit for.

Have you read the 1983 interview I posted? It gives all details how he got the deal. It has been a very consistent story throughout the years backed up with lots of well documented proof.

A record company is not gonna sign a kid because he has an uncle with a studio. They only invest in talent thats gonna fill their pockets.