Blaze Of Glory

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as we dive into some wild trivia about "Blaze of Glory" by Jon Bon Jovi from his 1990 solo album of the same name! This track, the theme for the Western flick Young Guns II, wasn’t even meant to happen. Emilio Estevez approached Jon to use "Wanted Dead or Alive" for the soundtrack, but Jon felt the lyrics about touring as a rock star didn’t fit the cowboy vibe. Instead, he scribbled the first draft of "Blaze of Glory" on a napkin in a diner while on set, and Estevez loved it so much he framed it for his home. How’s that for rock ‘n’ roll spontaneity? The song’s iconic guitar riff came from Aldo Nova, who Jon later helped by producing Nova’s album Blood on the Bricks for his label, Jambco Records. And talk about star power—Elton John, Little Richard, and guitar legend Jeff Beck (who shredded the slide guitar) all jumped in on the album, making it a musical showdown of epic proportions.

More juicy tidbits? The "Blaze of Glory" music video, directed by Wayne Isham, was shot atop thousand-foot cliffs near Moab, Utah, with everything—gear, crew, you name it—flown in by helicopter. Jon and the team camped out in the desert for three days to avoid the hassle of hotel commutes, embracing the outlaw spirit of the song. Fans on X have shared their love for the track’s raw energy, with one post from @jane_jbj in 2022 calling a 1991 performance at the Shrine Auditorium in LA “the most powerful” rendition ever. The song’s lyrics, like “I’m what Cain was to Abel, mister catch me if you can,” nod to biblical outcasts, which Jon used to channel the defiance of Young Guns II’s Billy the Kid. It’s no wonder it hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and snagged a Golden Globe, plus Oscar and Grammy nominations!

Now, let’s rewind to how Jon Bon Jovi kicked off his rockstar journey. Born John Francis Bongiovi Jr. on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jon was a music-obsessed kid who started playing guitar and forming bands in his teens. At 16, he teamed up with keyboardist David Bryan to form Atlantic City Expressway, gigging at local clubs. By his late teens, he was fronting John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, opening for acts like Southside Johnny. In 1980, while working part-time at a shoe store, Jon got a job sweeping floors at Power Station Studios in Manhattan, owned by his cousin Tony Bongiovi. There, he recorded his first single, "Runaway", with studio musicians, and it caught fire on local radio. That hustle led to a record deal, and in 1983, Jon formed Bon Jovi with David Bryan, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, and Alec John Such. Their debut album dropped in 1984, and by 1986, Slippery When Wet catapulted them to global fame with hits like "Livin’ on a Prayer".

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Jon Bon Jovi and the band at their official website, where you’ll find tour dates, merch, and exclusive fan club content. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, like their recent posts about the 2024 album Forever and collabs with Pitbull. For fan communities, check out the Bon Jovi Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and setlists. Tribute bands like Blaze of Glory: The Bon Jovi Experience also keep the spirit alive, delivering spot-on performances for diehards. So, spin that record and let "Blaze of Glory" take you out in a blaze of rock ‘n’ roll!