Bon Jovi released their self-titled debut album today in 1984. Singer Jon Bongiovi worked at his cousin's recording studio in New York City and cut a demo with local session musicians. He shopped the demo to record companies with no success.

Jon finally did find success with a single, "Runaway", off his demo. A local radio station started playing it and included it on a complication album. Other radio stations picked it up and Jon started attracting attention. He didn't have a proper band in place and he started recruiting local musicians. Jon's neighbor, guitarist Dave "Snake" Sabo, was supposed to join but ultimately Richie Sambora took his place. Jon would help Sabo to get his own band, Skid Row, signed to a record deal in 1987.

With a band in place and a record deal in hand the album was finally released. It would be the only Bon Jovi album to fail to reach the top 40 (43) but it would become the first of 10 consecutive platinum albums for the band.