Bon Jovi Bassist
 

so, this might be a really obvious question, but for those as ignorant as myself - has there been a reason why hugh mcdonald hasn't been made an official member of Bon Jovi? And as a relatively new BJ fan, what were the circumstances surrounding the departure of Alec after KTF?

Sarafo - I'll try and answer this to the best of my knowledge:

Alec John Such was their original bass player from 1983 to 1994. Around the "Keep The Faith" record, it is said that Alec really wasn't holding his own in the band anymore. He was making several mistakes in concert that was throwing the band off. During an interview, Alec told the reporter that Jon had been giving him grief about it. Jon had Alec over his house and fired him.

Hugh had been a friend and studio player of the band for many years (in fact he's credited on the first album.) However, as Jon has said, the band has been together so long that they never wanted Hugh as on official band member, even though he technically has been their bass player now for 10 years. Personally, I think it's kind of silly at this point, but that's another story.

Some of that may be a tad bit out of order, but for the most part, that's the story.

It's actually easier: Hugh ain't cool enaugh for the band.

this explaination is sooo much better!

Too stoned for the band, sometimes.

True. Then again, neither was Alec.

Alec was fun to watch on stage, he fitted in a rock band perfectly, when Hugh hardly moves.
But Hugh is a better bass player.

Ponrauil

Alec did move around more on stage, but he always seemed the most out of place was in the band.

Hugh has always seemed like just a studio musician to me in concert.

People say that they feel bad for Hugh because he's left out so much. I wouldn't mind being left out if I had made the kind of money he's made in over the past 10 years.

Argh, not the "cool" but bad and dangerous vs the quiet but better argument again, please!