10 Best Classic Rock Intros Of The 1980s
6. Living On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
All The Bon Jovi ingredients are present, ace production values, a pulsing bass groove, atmospheric keyboard swells and an instantly memorable hook. Although the band had scored a few lesser hits prior to the release of 'Slippery When Wet', the album that this song comes from, the subtle change in direction that 'Slippery' introduced was the key to their entry into the stadium-filling major league.
Opening with guitarist Richie Sambora's talkbox guitar effect, the sound was an instant attention grabber. The last time the effect had featured on a hit record was back in the mid '70s for Peter Frampton on 'Show Me The Way'. Sambora is no longer with Bon Jovi, and although his replacement, Phil X, is an excellent guitarist, it feels like a little of the magic left with Richie.
The '80s was an age when many rock bands really struck gold, had their biggest selling albums and their highest profile. Bon Jovi are one of the few bands who haven't seen a reduction in record sales or live audiences and are still one of the biggest names in rock.