The vocalist’s studio debut was in an unusual project, with a little help from the producers, one of whom was his cousin.
With over 40 years of career, Jon Bon Jovi Today he has sold over 120 million records, in addition to a series of tours with sold-out shows in stadiums all over the world and several other significant achievements. However, the singer had to start somewhere.
And the first album they participated in shows that their beginnings were not at all glamorous, despite the “help” from their family. No megahits or hard rock with the typical pop feel: before the band’s self-titled debut Bon Jovithe frontman was on a Christmas album with a theme from the universe of Star Warsvery popular at the time.
The story was recalled by the artist himself during his participation in the program Jimmy Kimmel Live! (via BraveWords). Called Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album, the album came in the wake of the second film in the saga — which is actually episode 5 —, The Empire Strikes Back. Both are from 1980.
Jon was credited at the time as John Bongiovihis name written in its original form. He worked in his cousin’s studio, Tony Bongioviwhen the invitation came, as he recalls:
I was a handyman in a recording studio from the fall of 1980 until 1983, when we made the first record. And there was a guy named Meco Monardo doing these kind of tribute albums, capitalizing on the Star Wars craze. He would pretend to be a young kid singing, which sounded like an old guy pretending to be a young kid singing. And he pointed at me one day and said, ‘Kid, can you sing?’ And I said yes, I thought I could. He said, ‘Go ahead and do it, pay $183.’
Kimmel took the opportunity to ask Jon if he remembered the name of the song he sang with a children’s choir. In his answer, the singer showed that his memory is still great:
“It was supposed to be a song called ‘R2D2 We Wish You A Merry Christmas’.”
The Star Wars Christmas Album and the Bongiovi Family
Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album It was the producer’s second album Meco Monardo set in the universe created by George Lucas. The studio professional had released the album in 1977 Star Wars and Other Galactic Funkwith the theme of the first film in the saga — episode 4, A new hope. There was also an EP in the early 1980s and other works related to Super man (1978) and The Wizard of Oz (1939).
For the Christmas album, Meco had the participation of the actor Anthony Danielsreprising his role as the droid C-3PO from the films. Interestingly, it is a concept album, with songs set in a droid factory that produced toys for Santa Claus to deliver to children across the galaxy.
The concept and lyrics are by Maury Yestonwho would later become one of Broadway’s most celebrated composers. But there was another important person involved in the work: co-producer Tony Bongiovi, owner of the Power Station studio and cousin of young Jon.
At the time, the studio professional had already worked with Ramones, Talking Heads, Ace Frehley, Gloria Gaynoramong other prominent names. In an interview with CBChe said that he gave Jon a helping hand, as he tried to do whenever he could:
I knew it was going to sell well. So he sang on it. If you have a hit, then you can come back and say, ‘Hey, this record is a hit, let’s go back and sign him’… but that’s how he ended up singing on that track.”
Tony Bongiovi’s hunch didn’t turn out to be true, but it wasn’t his fault. The label RSO Records, responsible for distributing the album, went bankrupt just before its release. Thus, Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album was limited to a print run of 150,000 copies — a low number for the time.
In addition to singing on the song about the droid R2D2, composed by Meco, Jon Bon Jovi also participated in the composition of another track on the album, “The Odds Against Christmas”. This is what Maury Yeston says, joking about the singer’s involvement, saying: “I always thought I’m not the only one who could be blackmailed with this album.”
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
