Jon Bon Jovi 'Still Recovering from a Major Surgery' and Unsure When He'll Tour: 'Working Towards That Goal'

The rock star underwent an operation on his vocal cords in 2022 and has been recovering ever since

Jon Bon Jovi of the band Bon Jovi performs on stage during Rock In Rio day 3 at Cidade do Rock on September 29, 2019 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Jon Bon Jovi performing live with Bon Jovi at Rock in Rio on Sept. 29, 2019. Photo:

Alexandre Schneider/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi is putting his health first before announcing any plans to tour.

As Bon Jovi gears up to release its 16th studio album, Legendary, in June, the band's frontman, 62, is considering whether it is in the best interest of his wellbeing to hit the road again after undergoing vocal cord surgery in 2022. In a radio interview with Mix 104.1 Boston, the rock star explained that he's "still recovering from a major surgery," but the "goal" is to tour once he's able to give fans the best show possible.

When asked about plans to promote the forthcoming record on the road, the Grammy winner admitted, "I don’t know about a tour. It is my desire to do a tour next year, but I’m just still recovering from a major surgery.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also opened up about how he's been healing, now that it's been over a year and a half since his vocal cords were operated on because one of them was "atrophying."

on Bon Jovi performs at the Fifth Annual LOVE ROCKS NYC Benefit Concert Livestream
Jon Bon Jovi performing at the Love Rocks Benefit Concert on June 3, 2021.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Jon shared, "Although I’m well on the road to recovery and was able to take my time and do a song a day when I made the record, my need, want, desire is to be able to do two-and-a-half hours a night four nights a week for months on end."

"And so I’m working towards that goal," the musician added.

The "It's My Life" singer first publicly revealed he underwent a major surgery on his vocal cords in mid-February at a Television Critics Association press event for the upcoming Hulu docuseries about his band, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.

During a panel, Jon revealed that one of his vocal cords was as "thick as the thumb," while the other was "atrophying" and "thick as a pinky."

"So the strong one was pushing the weak one aside, and I wasn’t singing well," he said. "My craft was being taken from me."

Honoree US singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi attends the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at the LA Convention Center in Los Angeles, February 2, 2024.
Jon Bon Jovi at the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year gala on Feb. 2, 2024.

MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty

Jon explained that he was introduced to a surgeon who was able to provide him with a "cutting-edge implant to build the cord back up."

At the time, 19 months into his rehabilitation process, he shared, "I can write you a song, I can perform as well as anybody. But I need to get my tools back."

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The band, also featuring keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, guitarist Phil X and bassist Hugh McDonald, last toured in 2022, playing major stadiums across the United States.

Bon Jovi also played shows over the course of several years in support of 2016's This House Is Not For Sale. Following the album release, the group set out on a run of live shows across the globe that lasted from 2017 to 2019.

Bon Jovi Announces New Album
Bon Jovi 'Legendary' album cover artwork.

Island Records

The "Livin' On a Prayer" group will soon release its new album Legendary, which is set to drop on June 7 via Island Records. Upon announcing the project, the classic rock group also shared the title track.

“This record is a return to joy. From the writing, through the recording process, this is turn up the volume, feel good Bon Jovi,” said Jon in a statement.

The new album comes as the band is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a group.

To coincide with the milestone and new record, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is coming to Hulu on April 26. The first-ever docuseries about the iconic group that's been made fully in cooperation with all past and present members, its said to include behind-the-scenes insights about their rise to fame.

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