Power ballads echo through arenas, lighters ignite in the air, and fists pump in unison to hairspray anthems. Bon Jovi has carved their name into the bedrock of rock, a band synonymous with catchy hooks and stadium-sized singalongs.
But beneath the glossy exterior and legions of fans lies a surprising truth: not everyone in the music world shares the love. We’re not just talking about fans with a preference for heavier riffs or deeper lyrics. This is about fellow musicians and media giants who’ve publicly feuded with Bon Jovi, creating a surprising web of rock n’ roll rivalries.
From grungy underdogs to shock jocks, prepare to be surprised by the famous faces who just can’t stand Bon Jovi.
Howard Stern
Despite a seemingly friendly future (Stern inducting Bon Jovi into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and frequent appearances on his show), the relationship between Howard Stern and Bon Jovi began on shaky ground. Stern claimed he championed the band before their meteoric rise to fame, but once they hit it big with Slippery When Wet in 1986, Bon Jovi seemingly abandoned his show.
This perceived snub fueled Stern’s fire. In his book Private Parts, he vented his frustration, accusing the band of forgetting their roots and prioritizing competitor stations like Z100 and WNEW to promote their 1988 album New Jersey.
The feud escalated with Stern publicly confronting Jon Bon Jovi on-air, even obtaining his home phone number. The tension continued for several years, with Stern resorting to name-calling (“John Bon Phony”) and Jon offering (perhaps sarcastically) to do chores in exchange for peace.
Attempts to mend fences, like guitarist Richie Sambora calling into the show, proved unsuccessful. It wasn’t until 1992, promoting their album Keep the Faith, that Jon and Richie finally made a joint appearance on Stern’s radio and E! interview show.
Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Skid Row, formed a few years after Bon Jovi, found themselves entangled with the band in an unexpected way. Before Skid Row signed with Atlantic Records, Jon and Richie, through their publishing company Underground, convinced the young band to sign a deal that granted them a significant share of Skid Row’s publishing rights.
This deal became a point of contention for Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach, especially after the band’s massive success with their 1989 debut album. While opening for Bon Jovi on their New Jersey tour that same year, tensions escalated. According to Bach, things turned sour when Skid Row’s merchandise started outselling Bon Jovi’s.
Bach claims Jon Bon Jovi confronted him aggressively, and a series of pranks ensued between the bands. This culminated in a physical altercation after Skid Row’s set in Kentucky. Bach alleges Jon and his entourage confronted him, leading to a fight where Bach was thrown against a wall.
The incident created a rift between Skid Row and Bon Jovi, particularly between Bach and Jon. However, things eventually calmed down. Jon and Richie relinquished their publishing rights to Skid Row in exchange for Bach’s silence, according to reports. Years later, the two singers even reconciled by chance at a London restaurant.
Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
In 2015, a political firestorm brewed when Bon Jovi announced a concert in Tel Aviv, Israel. Roger Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd and a long-time critic of Israel’s policies towards Palestine, took direct aim at the band.
The former leader of Pink Floyd penned a scathing open letter accusing Bon Jovi of turning a blind eye to the Palestinian struggle by performing in Israel. The letter urged the band to reconsider their decision and highlighted the ongoing human rights concerns in the region.
Jon Bon Jovi, however, remained unfazed. He expressed his excitement about visiting Israel for the first time, calling it a “wonderful place” and the “birthplace of all religions”. While Bon Jovi representatives chose to remain silent on Waters’ criticisms, the exchange underscored the complexities of performing in a politically charged region.
Jann Wenner (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame holds a prestigious place in music history, but Jon Bon Jovi has questioned its legitimacy, particularly in regards to his band’s induction process. Bon Jovi became eligible in 2008 but didn’t enter until 2017, sparking accusations of a personal vendetta.
Jon pointed the finger at Jann Wenner, the chairman and Rolling Stone publisher. He claimed they used to be on good terms, but a falling out led Wenner to hold a grudge against Bon Jovi. Rumors swirled that Wenner didn’t consider Bon Jovi significant enough for the Hall of Fame, a sentiment allegedly captured in a biography about Wenner.
Adding fuel to the fire, Jon revealed that a billionaire friend, investor Ronald Perelman, lobbied the Hall of Fame for Bon Jovi’s induction. This reportedly rubbed Wenner the wrong way, further complicating the band’s path to rock royalty recognition.
Paul Westerberg (The Replacements)
The unlikeliest of feuds simmered between Bon Jovi and The Replacements. While Bon Jovi dominated the charts, The Replacements were lauded by critics for their raw, unpolished sound.
During an 80s interview, Jon, seemingly unfamiliar with The Replacements, dismissed them with a sarcastic jab. He acknowledged their critical acclaim but implied their lack of commercial success disqualified them as artists.
The Replacements’ frontman, Paul Westerberg, took the high road, questioning Jon’s critical reception while playfully suggesting he wouldn’t trade places with him, even for the money. Years later, Jon claimed no memory of the exchange, leaving the question of a true feud unanswered. Perhaps it was just a playful exchange between two bands at opposite ends of the rock n’ roll spectrum.