The SmartLess podcast sits down with legendary rock star Jon Bon Jovi. Bon Jovi reflects on his four decades of chart-topping hits, revealing how iconic anthems like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" came to be. The interview also covers Bon Jovi's struggles with vocal cord atrophy and his subsequent surgery, as well as his potential ability to tour again.
Beyond music, Bon Jovi discusses his transition into acting and the extensive preparation he undertook before gracing the silver screen. The rockstar shares insights into landing roles in '90s films like "Moonlight and Valentino" and overcoming industry doubts about his commitment to the craft.
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Will Arnett highlights Jon Bon Jovi's fame, with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a hit-filled musical career spanning over 40 years.
Bon Jovi wrote the hit "Runaway" at age 20, launching his career. Sean Hayes and Will Arnett note enduring anthems like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name."
Bon Jovi reveals he starts songs with a title first to guide the feel and style, citing examples like "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "Bed of Roses."
Over the past decade, one of Bon Jovi's vocal cords atrophied, causing the stronger cord to overcompensate and impacting his voice quality.
After exhausting other options, Bon Jovi underwent surgery placing a plastic implant to strengthen his cords, hoping to regain his voice.
20 months post-surgery, Bon Jovi is rehabilitating his voice. He remains uncertain if he can tour again, vowing not to perform unless at his best.
Before pursuing acting roles, Bon Jovi dedicated years to privately studying the craft, approaching it with the same dedication as music.
He landed movie roles like "Moonlight and Valentino," sharing the screen with stars like Gwyneth Paltrow. Bon Jovi faced industry skepticism over his commitment.
1-Page Summary
Will Arnett introduces the legendary Jon Bon Jovi, highlighting his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his impressive solo career beyond his band's achievements.
Jon Bon Jovi's career is studded with hits that have become anthems over the decades.
Bon Jovi wrote the hit "Runaway" at the young age of 20. This track marked the beginning of his career; he released it independently in 1983 and subsequently landed a record deal that has spanned over 40 years. Sean Hayes and Will Arnett discuss the lasting impact of Bon Jovi's music from the 1980s, especially noting the pervasive sing-along quality of hits like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name" from the "Slippery When Wet" album.
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Jon Bon Jovi reveals an interesting tidbit about h ...
Jon Bon Jovi's Extensive Music Career
Jon Bon Jovi has opened up about his long-standing struggle with vocal cord problems and the recent surgery he underwent to address the issue.
Jon Bon Jovi had been facing challenges with his singing ability due to one of his vocal cords atrophying. This condition caused the stronger vocal cord to push around the weaker one, affecting the quality of his voice. He suggests that this issue has been stealing his joy over the past decade, significantly impacting his life and career.
Jon Bon Jovi underwent a major surgery, which was a first for him, that involved placing a plastic implant outside the cords to strengthen them. Before deciding on surgery, he had tried everything from Eastern medicine to dietary changes and singing lessons, but these efforts did not resolve his condition. He explains that the surgical intervention offered him the hope of regaining his voice.
20 months post-surgery, Jon Bon Jovi is in the rehabilitation phase and is still in the process of voice recove ...
Vocal Cord Issues and Recent Surgery
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Jon Bon Jovi, the famed musician, made a significant foray into the movie industry in the 1990s. Will Arnett notes his extensive work in acting, a venture that required a significant transition from his successful music career.
Jon Bon Jovi took the craft of acting quite seriously. Before he commenced his onscreen journey, he dedicated a couple of years to studying the art of performance privately. He approached acting with the same level of respect and dedication that had brought him success in the music industry.
His efforts culminated in a debut film role in "Moonlight and Valentino," which allowed him to share the screen with renowned stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Whoopi Goldberg, Kathleen Turner, and Elizabeth Perkins. Remembering his time on set, Bon Jovi collected director's chairs from his acting roles, showcasing his investment in this dimension of his career. His experience on set was humbling, and he once even offered to pay for film after requiring multiple takes during a scene — an anecdote that highlights his novice status and reveals his humbleness.
Despite Bon Jovi's commitment to learning to act, his journey wasn't without struggle ...
Acting Career and Transition from Music in 1990s
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