Bon Jovi - Hard & Hot (Compilation) (1991)

Bon Jovi - Hard & Hot (Compilation) (1991)

Bon Jovi – Hard & Hot (Best of Bon Jovi) (1991)

Release Date: July / December 1991 (Australia only)
Type: Greatest Hits / Compilation
Label: Jambco / Mercury / Phonogram
Genre: Hard Rock / Glam Metal
Length: ~63:49

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Overview

Hard & Hot (Best of Bon Jovi) is the first compilation album by American rock band Bon Jovi, released exclusively in Australia in 1991. It gathers standout tracks from the band’s first three studio albums (Bon Jovi — 1984, 7800° Fahrenheit — 1985, and Slippery When Wet — 1986), showcasing the early sound that helped them rise from bar‑band beginnings to international rock stars.

Although the compilation did not crack the ARIA Top 100, it peaked at #44 on the Australian Music Report albums chart and remained on that chart for seven weeks — a testament to the band’s growing popularity in that territory.

This release is particularly notable for introducing Australian audiences to several early Bon Jovi gems from their first two albums, which originally did not chart there upon first release.

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Tracklist

1. Shot Through the Heart

2. Runaway

3. She Don’t Know Me

4. Breakout

5. In and Out of Love

6. King of the Mountain

7. Tokyo Road

8. Always Run to You

9. To the Fire

10. You Give Love a Bad Name

11. Livin’ on a Prayer

12. Wanted Dead or Alive

13. I’d Die for You

14. Never Say Goodbye

The set mixes hard‑hitting rockers from their early catalog (“Shot Through the Heart”, “Breakout”) with future anthems that would become Bon Jovi staples (“You Give Love a Bad Name”, “Livin’ on a Prayer”).

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Album Credits

Bon Jovi:

• Jon Bon Jovi – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar

• Richie Sambora – Guitar, backing vocals

• David Bryan – Keyboards, backing vocals

• Alec John Such – Bass guitar, backing vocals

• Tico Torres – Drums, percussion

Additional (uncredited but performed on included studio tracks):

• Hugh McDonald – Bass on “Runaway” and “Livin’ on a Prayer” (uncredited session work)

Producers (as credited on original source albums):

• Tony Bongiovi — early production work

• Lance Quinn — 7800° Fahrenheit era

• Bruce Fairbairn — Slippery When Wet era

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Fun Facts & Trivia

• Australian Exclusive: Hard & Hot was only released in Australia and never saw a wide international physical release, making it a collectible for fans.

• Early Showcase: Several tracks were drawn from Bon Jovi’s first two albums, which were obscure in Australia until this collection.

• Chart Run: Even though it didn’t hit the main ARIA Top 100, it reached #44 and stayed in the broader chart for weeks — unusual for a region‑only compilation.

• Bridge Across Eras: The record spans Bon Jovi’s early hard‑rock beginnings through to stadium‑rock anthems from Slippery When Wet.

• Did You Know? Tracks like “Tokyo Road” and “Always Run to You” were rarely heard on Australian radio before this compilation’s release.

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Mini Review (66 words)

Hard & Hot is a compelling snapshot of Bon Jovi’s formative years, blending early hard‑rock grit with the polished arena‑rock swagger that made them global superstars. While not a career‑spanning greatest hits, it smartly highlights fan favorites and underrated gems from the band’s first three records. For collectors and regional fans, it provides a powerful introduction to classic Bon Jovi rock in one energetic package. 

Bon Jovi Full Discography

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