Box set marks Bon Jovi milestones

NEW YORK — Love them or hate them, there's no denying Bon Jovi's accomplishments.

The New Jersey rockers roared on the scene two decades ago with power-chord-driven guitars and working-class sensibilities that elevated the group, once considered the quintessential '80s pop-metal band, to multiplatinum status.

But as many of their music counterparts fell by the wayside, Bon Jovi managed to retain its status and audience by sticking to straightforward rock music. Along the way, they racked up one multiplatinum album after another, captured a remarkable number of hit singles and managed to stay together when so many other bands of the era fell apart.

This year, the band — headed up by 42-year-old Jon Bon Jovi — marks two milestones: Their 20-year anniversary and the sale of 100 million albums worldwide.

To celebrate, the band released "100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong," a four-CD box set of 50 songs, including 38 never-before-heard songs the band wrote during its career. It also includes a handful of rarities, such as songs from obscure movie soundtracks, and a DVD featuring band interviews.

AP: Why open up the music vaults now?

Jon Bon Jovi: I've never been very good at celebrating the moments as the 20 years have gone by. I was guilty, especially in my younger years, of running through life with blinders on. Many of the magic moments were lost on me because I was always focused on the next day, the next album, the next move. As I've gotten older and started to enjoy it a lot more for what it is, and I knew this milestone of both the 20 years and 100 million mark were quickly coming upon us, I thought 'Why not?' Why not take the time to accept the pat on the back and congratulate your band mates and the people who have supported you for 20 years and go into those vaults people have always heard about and were never privy to.

AP: But 50 songs?

Bon Jovi: You get value for your money with this band, that's for sure. When I thought of this, and I thought of it quite a while ago, I wanted to make sure there was a reason for it. You know, like the 20th anniversary.

AP: Why is there so much unreleased material?