Jon Bon Jovi

seeing that I am from Jersey and I love Bon Jovi this was a perfect gift to have been given. In the last couple weeks I have been on a biography or memoir kick so this was perfection on pages.


I have not yet seen the documentary that accompanies this book (I don't get Showtime...bummer), but the book is a very in-depth look into one of the worlds most successful bands. The guys speak candidly about their days starting out, just how green they were when they released their first few albums, show more and how much they've learned in the 25 years they've been making music. The photos are awesome. Many are concert shots, but there are a bunch of back-stage shots that offer a behind the scenes glimpse, as well as some personal family shots.

Basically, if you're a fan of Bon Jovi, I absolutely recommend this. If you've followed their career and bought all the albums, then buy the book...you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to see the documentary that goes along with this. A great book from a great band. Here's to another 25 years guys! show less

Let me start by saying that if you are a Bon Jovi fan, this is a book that you will want to have on your coffee table. You can only imagine how tickled pink I was to open this book and find so many full page photographs from the very same concert that I attended in 2008! This book gives you an honest look into the lives of the band and the path they followed that brought them where they are today.

As they look back at the beginning of their career it seems to me that when they hit it big, show more they hit it big fast. Although the stardom I'm sure was fun and exciting for them I think it was also hard having to keep up with such a fast pace. When they were doing those early tours they didn't even own homes but seemed to just live from hotel to hotel and I can't even imagine that. I also remember a period of time when you really didn't hear much about Bon Jovi. This would have been the time when they took a much needed break, and they talk about this time in the book. It was a tough time for everyone and I think they all seemed to have their own ideas for the future of the band.

It was after this break when Jon approached the members and said that they need to get their minds in order before they can succeed as a band again, and that is when he suggested that they all see a 'shrink'. Even though they were pretty hesitant about this idea they went through with Jon's suggestion and found it was probably the best thing they could have ever done. This act put them on a path to better communication and let them realize that they all have different gifts to offer to the band.

Jon shares with us in this book how important it is for him to write songs that move people. He also shares with us how he wants people to enjoy their songs just as much ten years from now as today.

Well I am definitely hoping to see the documentary that this book was made to accompany. I am probably biased because I have been a Bon Jovi fan since high school in the eighties, but they are still my favorite! Unfortunately, because of my location I did not have the opportunity to see Bon Jovi live back then. I wasn't able to go to my first show until a couple of years ago, and I can tell you one thing that I said: "I will never miss seeing this band again!" It truly was an amazing concert and if you enjoy their music you will not be disappointed! They have successfully reached out to all generations because when I looked around that arena I saw ages of people that ranged fifty years. And I also want to say that they put on the best show that I have ever seen!

So I think you can tell from my review that I enjoyed this book, and if you enjoy Bon Jovi I think you will also. show less

There should be 2 ratings for When We Were Beautiful - one for the fantastic and moving photos of the band, and one for the content. As far as content goes, you really do not learn anything about Bon Jovi other than they truly are a band of brothers. They stand together and have for 25 years now and will continue to do so for however long they last. Jon is, hands-down, the visionary of the band and leads the way for Tico, David and Richie. Truly enjoyable. (2.5 stars for content, 4.5 for photos)

Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful, conversations with Phil Griffin is chock full of behind the scenes, on stage, and recording photos, plus interviews with the band members. Fans of Bon Jovi will be fascinated to learn about the family that is Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi: When We Were Beautiful is not only a look at the past, present, and possible future of the band, but also about the dedication and ambition that each member holds in unison for what they have created.

The book is a testament to that show more dedication and how the band continues to survive throughout the decades as the music scene changes and other bands have fallen out of favor. The book was autographed by the band, and the book is a nice hefty hardcover.

Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2010/10/bon-jovi-when-we-were-beautiful-conversation... show less