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Teen Input Shaped Bon Jovi's Mega-Hit Album
25 Oct
Summary
- Teenagers helped select songs for 'Slippery When Wet'.
- The album cover was nearly a controversial image.
- Slippery When Wet became Bon Jovi's first No. 1 album.
Bon Jovi aimed for massive success with their third album, enlisting Desmond Child, Bruce Fairbairn, and Bob Rock. In a unique approach, the band sought opinions from teenagers at a New Jersey pizza parlor, who ultimately helped choose the material for the record.
This collaborative effort resulted in 'Slippery When Wet,' which achieved Bon Jovi's first No. 1 position on the Billboard 200 on October 25, 1986, staying there for eight weeks. Jon Bon Jovi described it as their defining record, akin to 'Thriller' or 'Born in the U.S.A.'
Before its release, the album's cover artwork sparked controversy. Jon Bon Jovi rejected the label's initial proposed design, a provocative image of a woman in a wet tank top. He swiftly created the now-famous title graphic by writing 'Slippery When Wet' with his fingers on a sprayed garbage bag.
Despite the cover's initial hiccup, 'Slippery When Wet' propelled Bon Jovi to superstardom. It generated three top 10 singles, including Billboard Hot 100 chart-toppers 'You Give Love a Bad Name' and 'Livin' on a Prayer.' The album was the best-selling of 1987 and has received 15 platinum certifications in the U.S.
