The Power Station Years:

Here is an album that I refer to as Jon's 3rd solo album. He shockingly performed some of these tracks at a fan club event a few years back which I think shocked a lot of people.

Is it sad to say that I actually enjoy most of these songs?

Jon and his cousin Tony have not had the best relationship after Jon's successes. "Tony Bongiovi is a record producer and recording engineer with expertise in Electrical & Acoustical Engineering. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan—once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio—into the Power Station recording studio in 1977"

After Jon made it famous, Tony wanted money from Jon due to Tony giving him a job at the Power Station and because he allegedly financed and produced early demo recordings and paid for singing lessons. Jon said F you, I worked my balls off to get where I'm at and I owe you nothing. After several failed attempts to extort money from Jon, he released 20 songs on a few different compilations between 1997 and 1998 that contained recordings from the early 80's. Jon then sued Tony and an out of court settlement was reached.

My guess is that Jon purchased the complete rights to these songs from Tony because he never would have played them live in 2009, although he referred to these songs as a "bootleg"

Track Listing:
1."Who Said It Would Last Forever" - 4:01
2."Open Your Heart" - 3:46
3."Stringin' a Line" - 3:46
4."Don't Leave Me Tonight" - 4:53
5."More Than We Bargained For" - 3:49
6."For You" - 3:04
7."Hollywood Dreams" - 3:16
8."All Talk, No Action" - 3:29
9."Don't Keep Me Wondering" - 2:57
10."Head Over Heels" - 3:31
11."No One Does It Like You" - 4:14
12."What You Want" - 3:32
13."Don't You Believe Him" - 3:13
14."Talkin' in Your Sleep" - 4:20
15."Bobby's Girl" - 1:39
16."Gimme Some Lovin' Charlene" - 2:29
17."Don't Do That to Me Anymore" - 3:47
18."This Woman Is Dangerous" - 4:08
19."Maybe Tomorrow" - 3:32
20."Runaway" (instrumental) - 3:39

All songs written by John Bongiovi except "Who Said It Would Last Forever", "More Than We Bargained For" and "Hollywood Dreams" written by John Bongiovi and Jim Pooles. "Stringin' A Line" written by Ian Thomas and "Talkin' In Your Sleep" written by John Bongiovi and George Karakaglou

Note:
The song "Stringin' a Line" was written by Ian Thomas (Canadian musician), although it's credited as written by John Bongiovi on the packaging, this is inaccurate. Thomas would record and release his own version in 1981.

Musicians
Jon Bon Jovi - vocals, guitars, piano, percussion
Bill Frank - lead guitar
Charlie Mills - drums
Tom Pyle - keyboards, piano
Danny Skye - bass
Rick Sye - saxophone, organ

i play the Power Station album from time to time. None of it is all that good, but it's fun to listen to. I've always enjoyed What You Want. Also, anyone know how many versions of this were released with different covers and track-listings? Mine is only tracks 1-14 of the above track-list.

I can recall at least three versions, I'm sure there're more that only changes the artwork. The one I have has 20 songs.

I like a lot Don't Leave Me Tonight, More Than We Bargained For and Maybe Tomorrow.

Do you think all the subsequent albums would've been filled with boy/girl songs too, had not Richie stepped in?

Haven't listened to it in a long time. It's almost 10 years since I bought it. I remember liking a lot of songs from it even though most of it sounds very dated, and it had a surprisingly slick production value. Mine is the 20 track version that's just titled "John Bongiovi". The CD I have is very basic, no linear notes or any pictures in the sleeve, but it has the most songs on it.

This is the one I have.



https://www.discogs.com/John-Bongiov...elease/3846958

There have been several different album covers but the original release had 15 songs entitled "The Power Station Years" and then another released soon after called "More Music from The Power Station Years" which had the same 15 as the original plus 5 extra (which would equal the version I have).


Was thinking about giving it a spin lately and this thread's just twisted my arm a little.