The New Oldies: #8 2024 Album of the Year: Bon Jovi – Forever

Something seems to be missing these days. It seems that record companies, radio stations, and streaming services are pushing some the great established musicians to the background. As a result these veteran artists are not getting the attention they deserve. Enter the Top 10 Album Countdown: The New Oldies. The main point is simple – to make this list you must have at least 20 years of producing established music. The album by the artist must have been released between November 1st, 2023 and October 31st, 2024

#8 Bon Jovi, Forever

Back in 1994, Bon Jovi released a greatest hits album known as Cross Road. It was their first greatest hits album and it covered their success in the 1980s and early 1990s. At the time, the pop music landscape was changing and Bon Jovi had moved away from its harder edged sound, so I thought the name was appropriate. However, I really think it was two years ago when Bon Jovi hit a major crossroad – namely Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal chord surgery. Bon Jovi had landed on the 2020 New Oldies list with 2020. Some questioned if Bon Jovi could go given the vocal chord surgery. But Jon recovered and in 2024 they released their 16th studio album Forever.

A couple of programming notes. We still have Jon Bon Jovi, Tico Torres, David Bryan, and Hugh McDonald – band members for decades. Foreve is the studio album recorded with longtime producer John Shanks on rhythm guitar and Everett Bradley on backing vocals as official band members.

I mention the crossroads theme in the introduction, because it comes out int he first track, Legendary. There is the softer track, Kiss the Bride, a wedding song for Jon Bon Jovi’s daughter. There even is a collaboration songwriting effort between Jon Bon Jovi and Ed Sheehan Living in Paradise. Finally, My First Guitar is a brilliant track where Jon Bon Jovi reflects on his early career.

A side note – the whole crossroads theme is illustrated on the album cover beautifully. In this case, it’s a city crosswalk.

There isn’t much 1980s Bon Jovi on this album, but it shows the evolution and maturity of this band over five decades. The album showcases some of the anthemic sound Bon Jovi is known for. It’s a wonderful album that grows on you, and it shows Bon Jovi is ready what lies ahead on the crossroads.