Thank You, Goodnight – The Bon Jovi Story: On the red carpet with Jon Bon Jovi at the London premiere

If you’re of drinking age and haven’t more than once found yourselves singing Livin’ on Prayer at the top of your lungs on a dance floor somewhere, then I can only assume you’re from outer space. It’s just one of many mega hits from one of the most iconic bands in music history, alongside You Give Love a Bad Name, It’s My Life, Always, etc, that are ubiquitous on top music tracks of all-time playlists.

In a brand new docu-series, the band – and the man – behind the music are taken down memory lane to chart the beginnings and heyday of one of the world’s biggest rock groups, complete with all the outrageous costumes and more outrageously voluminous hair-dos, humble beginnings in New Jersey, false starts with the industry and the highs and lows of relentless touring (I’ll leave you to decide if the line “We were better looking that most of the women we got with” counts as a high or low…). The blast from the past is cut through with following Jon Bon Jovi in the present, battling issues with his voice and an uncertain future for his ability to perform live.

While some music documentaries can easily slip into vanity project territory, or pure indulgence in a tribute to a band’s success, Thank You, Goodnight presents its story with surprising honesty and frankness, with Jon, in particular, showing raw vulnerability about his thoughts and feelings about potentially accepting the height of his talent for singing is behind him. It’s a full-hearted look at a much-loved band’s history, while also presenting a universal story of the power of optimism and tenacity in following your dreams, and the reality of ageing for all of us.

The Upcoming were invited down to the London premiere for the series, having the chance to chat with the rock ‘n’ roll icon himself. Bon Jovi shared how the doc reveals the band’s highs and lows, and his drive for honesty. He reflected on 40 years of memories, the impact of technology on music and shared his hopes for inspiring perseverance. He’s expressed optimism about the new album and tour, as well as excitement about premiering the documentary in London, acknowledging the city’s significance to the band.

David Bryan and Tico Torres also stopped to talk about retracing Bon Jovi’s 40-year journey, the decision to capture their story through Chopra’s lens, embracing both highs and lows, and their continuous evolution in music, culminating in a new rock record.

Chopra then chatted about his approach to capturing this band’s 40-year journey, focusing on authenticity, the highs and lows and the personal stories behind their success. Chopra emphasised the importance of genuine relationships and trust in telling this intimate story, alongside discovering unseen footage and stories, celebrating Bon Jovi’s tenacity and the universal appeal of overcoming adversity.

Sarah Bradbury

Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is released on Disney+ on 26^th April 2024.

Watch the trailer for Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story here: