Jon Bon Jovi reflects on a pivotal conversation with his wife that prompted him to confront his vocal cord issues. After silently grappling with the challenges for years, the 62-year-old frontman of Bon Jovi candidly discusses his strained voice and the toll it exacted on him in the band’s upcoming Hulu docuseries, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (available for streaming on Friday, April 26).
The revered rock legend had been contending with vocal issues for at least seven years, even as he toured with the band in 2022. Recalling a performance at an arena show in Nashville, he recounts, "I poured my heart out to that audience. I felt it went well."
However, his wife Dorothea, aged 61, whom he married in 1989, delivered some tough love, expressing, “It wasn't great, and I've seen you be great.”
Recalling the conversation, Jon shares, "It was more than just heartbreaking; it was devastating," he admits. "But there's no one better than her to tell me the truth."
Jon emphasizes, “If it were going to be over, I just had to come to terms with that reality and acknowledge, ‘I've had an incredible career. It doesn't mean I can't write you a song tomorrow; it just means I won't be embarking on a hundred-show tour.’”
Facing a pivotal decision, Bon Jovi confronted the reality: either seek assistance or consider retirement. “I went to the doctor and said, ‘I’ve exhausted all my options,’” he recalls.
In the summer of 2022, he underwent vocal fold medialization surgery to address loose vocal folds that were compromising his voice and impacting his singing.
Nearly two years post-operation, Bon Jovi diligently works with vocal coaches and engages in daily voice exercises. “Every day is part of the recovery process,” he acknowledges.
Following the release of their latest single "Legendary," the band is set to unveil its 16th album, Forever, in June. Recorded post-surgery, Bon Jovi's vocals may carry a smokier, huskier tone, but they undeniably retain his signature style. While the prospect of future tours with the band remains uncertain, the music continues to thrive.
“I still have the ability to sing. What I may struggle with is the endurance for two and a half hours every night, four nights a week,” expresses Bon Jovi, “but I’m determined to regain that capability.”
Founding drummer Tico Torres remarks that post-surgery, Bon Jovi is “giving it his all vocally,” noting, “He’s reaching notes he hasn’t touched since he was young. We're truly proud of him.”
Moreover, this experience has instilled in Bon Jovi a fresh perspective on life.
“The very thing that brought me immense joy was suddenly taken from me,” he reflects. “Finding joy requires effort, doesn't it? Happiness is something you create. It's not about conquering the day anymore; now it's about embracing it. I no longer have to confront it head-on; instead, I can greet it with open arms, and that's a comforting place to be.”
This newfound perspective permeates his upcoming album, Forever (set to release on June 7), which, according to Bon Jovi, "is essentially about rediscovering joy." He adds, "What truly matters in life? It's love, loyalty, and discovering the things that inspire you to rise out of bed each morning."
In a PEOPLE cover story back in 2020, Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea, who've been together since high school, candidly discussed their enduring love story. Bon Jovi attributed their lasting relationship to "mutual respect," emphasizing, "And we genuinely enjoy each other's company... We put effort into it, but we genuinely like being together, and we've never succumbed to the pitfalls of celebrity. We've seen that happen to people close to us and those we've known from a distance. It's just what I do; it's not who I am. I write songs. I happen to excel at performing them. That's all."
Dorothea chimed in, "It's a partnership."
The Quran - Chapter Ad-Dukhan : 53
dressed in fine silk and rich brocade, facing one another.
سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ... fine silk and thick silk.... - 44:53) Both the words refer to 'silk'. The word sundus refers to "fine silk" and the word istabraq refers to "thick silk".
