Editing Jon Bon Jovi (section)

===Beginnings===
Bon Jovi began playing music in 1974, when he formed his first band Raze and took part in a talent contest at his school.<ref name="love-it-loud">{{cite web|url=http://love-it-loud.co.uk/bon-jovi-the-early-years/|title=Bon Jovi – The Early Years|publisher=Love It Loud|access-date=April 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093204/http://love-it-loud.co.uk/bon-jovi-the-early-years/|archive-date=May 1, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Michelle|last=Moore|url=http://roomthirteen.com/features/429/Jon_Bon_Jovi__a_talent_through_the_years.html|title=Jon Bon Jovi a talent through the years|publisher=Room Thirteen|date=April 23, 2007|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-date=May 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501093452/http://roomthirteen.com/features/429/Jon_Bon_Jovi__a_talent_through_the_years.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> At 16, he formed a band called Atlantic City Expressway and was joined by [[David Bryan]], who would later become a member of the Bon Jovi band.<ref name="love-it-loud"/><ref name="Jon Bon Jovi Biography">{{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/jon-bon-jovi-9542512|title=Jon Bon Jovi Biography|publisher=Biography.com|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> Still in his teens, Bon Jovi played in the band John Bongiovi and the Wild Ones, performing in clubs such as the Fast Lane and opening for local acts.<ref name="Jon Bon Jovi Biography"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Stan|last=Goldstein|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2013/07/asbury_parks_fast_lane_comes_to_a_dead_end.html|title=Asbury Park's Fast Lane, where Springsteen and Bon Jovi played, comes to a dead end|publisher=New Jersey On-Line|date=July 12, 2013|access-date=April 30, 2018}}</ref> By 1980, he had formed his first original band, the Rest; the band opened for New Jersey acts such as [[Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes]].<ref name="Jon Bon Jovi Biography"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bon-jovi/biography|title=Bon Jovi Bio|publisher=rollingstone|access-date=March 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124071718/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/bon-jovi/biography|archive-date=January 24, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6745989/southside-johnny-the-veteran-jersey-boy-from-the-same-shore-as-springsteen-and|title=Southside Johnny, the Veteran Jersey Boy from the Same Shore as Springsteen and Bon Jovi|date=October 30, 2015|publisher=billboard}}</ref>

At the time, Bon Jovi ran errands between gigs at the [[Power Station (recording studio)|Power Station]] recording studio owned by his cousin [[Tony Bongiovi]]. One day, he was sweeping the floor as Disco producer [[Meco]] was in the studio recording ''[[Christmas in the Stars|Christmas in the Stars: The Star Wars Christmas Album]].'' Meco suggested that Bon Jovi sing "[[R2-D2]] We Wish You a Merry Christmas", which became his first professional recording (credited as John Bongiovi).<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web |date=May 2005 |title=Jedi Council – Interviews &#124; Meco |url=http://www.theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111226184851/http://theforce.net/jedicouncil/interview/meco2005-2.asp |archive-date=December 26, 2011 |access-date=December 20, 2011 |publisher=TheForce.Net}}</ref>