Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: ‘So humbled’

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'

Reflecting upon the inspiring life of Jon Bon Jovi, I find myself truly captivated by his journey. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, he rose to become one of the world’s most successful rock musicians. With more than 120 million records sold, his band is among the best-selling rock bands of all time – a testament to their enduring talent and popularity.


This week saw the return of Jon Bon Jovi to his old high school in New Jersey, as a performing arts center was rechristened with his name.

The musician, aged 62, has consistently honored his roots from New Jersey ever since he achieved rockstar fame in the 1980s.

On Tuesday, he went to Sayreville War Memorial High School in Parlin, which he attended during his junior and senior years. This was an opportunity for him to personally check out the Jon Bon Jovi Performing Arts Center.

‘Yesterday, I was deeply honored as Sayreville High dedicated their Performing Arts Center, a sentiment I expressed through Instagram. Special thanks go out to the students who skillfully created the mural and the staff who made this memorable day even more extraordinary.’

He included several photos from his visit, including one of him smiling outside of the Jon Bon Jovi Performing Arts Center.

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'

With delight, he stood alongside multiple high school students within the music room at the center, where an impressive mural of the celebrity adorned the wall behind them.

The final photo was one of the rocker with the real-life Coach T, who is mentioned in Bon Jovi’s 2000 hit Just Older. 

‘Coach T from our song Just Older!!! It was great to see him and the future of Sayreville …, Bon Jovi shared, before adding, ‘Once a Bomber always a Bomber … JBJ.’ 

As per ABC 7’s report, Jon Bon Jovi spent his final two years of high school at a different institution, following his completion of the initial two years at St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, New Jersey.

The honor was part of the musician being inducted into the school’s hall of fame.

In recognition of his induction into their Hall of Fame, Bon Jovi generously gifted Sayreville War Memorial High School with a brand new, cutting-edge recording studio for the performing arts department, as well as a special commemorative t-shirt,” was announced on Instagram by the school.

The school staff expressed their heartfelt gratitude for his generous contributions, noting that both students and staff would never forget this special day.

During his visit on Tuesday, it was mentioned that Bon Jovi kindly engaged in a Q&A session with our students, as well as took photos and signed autographs.

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'

During a conversation with students, the Runaway Star subtly emphasized that “each of you is authoring the narrative of your lives,” as reported by People.

Bon Jovi addressed the students, saying, ‘You find yourselves here today, embodying Sayreville’s dreamers, involved in theater, music, voice, and recording engineering. Some of you might decide to carry on this journey post-graduation, while others may view it as a stepping stone.’

Regardless of your future actions, always keep in mind that each new day brings a fresh chance for creating lasting memories.

At Sayreville War Memorial High School, it is not just a school but also the location where the star of “Blaze of Glory,” Dorothea Hurley, who later became his wife and the love of his life, met the man himself, at the age of 62.

The couple waited nine years to get married and eloped in Las Vegas in 1989 at the height of Bon Jovi’s career. 

The couple has been happily married for over 35 years and still going strong, boasting four wonderful children: Jake, 22, who’s currently in the spotlight since his marriage to Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things, aged 20; Stephanie, 31; Jesse, 29; and Romeo, also 20.

Over the past four decades, Bon Jovi’s musical group has put out a total of sixteen studio albums, the latest one titled “Forever,” that was made available to fans in June this year.

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'
Jon Bon Jovi, 62, receives highest honor as he returns to his New Jersey high school: 'So humbled'

The band boasts over 120 million album sales, placing them among the top-tier rock groups with impressive sales records throughout history.

Besides Living on a Prayer and Runaway, Bon Jovi also achieved success with numerous other hits as a solo artist and lead singer, such as: You Give Love a Bad Name, Blaze of Gory, It’s My Life, Born to Be My Baby, Keep the Faith, Bad Medicine, and I’ll Be There For You, among many more.

In the spirit of his charitable work, a native of Perth Amboy, New Jersey established The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (previously known as the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) back in 2006.

He did so to support the community in its efforts ‘to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.’

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2024-10-03 09:08

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