Who Is Alec John Such? The Bon Jovi Musician Died at 70

The entire music industry is mourning the passing of bassist Alec John Such, a founding member of the multi-awarded legendary rock band Bon Jovi. He was 70.

The influential rock group took to social media to announce their former bandmate’s death, without revealing its cause. In a statement, the band expressed their sorrow over the loss of one of their founding members.

The band, led by singer Jon Bon Jovi, described Alec as “wild and full of life.” The group also emphasized the late musician’s impact on the group, saying he was an integral part of its formation.

Jon Bon Jovi and bassist Alec John Such of Bon Jovi perform on stage in 1987. | Source: Getty Images

WHO WAS ALEC JOHN SUCH?

According to the Bon Jovi band’s Instagram statement, Alec was an “original” member and the band’s bassist who was born and raised in Yonkers, New York, on November 14, 1951.

Alec, a seasoned figure in the New Jersey music scene, worked as a club owner of the Hunka Bunka Ballroom in Sayreville in the early 1980s. His duties included booking emerging artists.

Richie Sambora (left), Jon Bon Jovi (center), and Alec John Such perform at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, March 15, 1993. | Source: Getty Images

Alec had previously booked earlier shows for Bon Jovi & The Wild Ones before becoming an official member of what would become the world’s most famous rock band.

With the talented bassist on board, Bon Jovi released the “Slippery When Wet” album in 1991 and “New Jersey” in 1987, both of which successfully topped the Billboard 200.

ALEC JOHN SUCH HAD A MAJOR ROLE IN BON JOVI’S HISTORY

Bon Jovi’s fame has endured for decades, in large part because of Alec’s efforts. The Grammy-winning band has been open about how Alec brought them together. The group said of Alec:

“To be honest, we found our way to each other thru him.”

The late bassist brought in his childhood friends Tico Torres and Richie Sambora to play for the group. Meanwhile, Jon invited his close friend David Bryan to join the band as well. 

David was previously part of an earlier band, Atlantic City Expressway, while Richie and Alec were former band members of The Message.

Along with Jon and Alec, the band members achieved enormous success. Tico became drummer and percussionist, while Richie served as the lead guitarist. For his part, David joined as the keyboard player.

Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi, Alec John Such, perform onstage on April 4, 1984, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

WHY DID ALEC JOHN SUCH LEAVE BON JOVI?

Alec stayed with the band until his departure in 1994. Hugh McDonald, who joined the band as an official member in 2016, took on Alec’s previous role in the round.

In a 2000 Asbury Park Press interview, Alec revealed that he left the band because of age differences. Another issue he raised was that the record company used to lie about his age.

Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi, and Hugh McDonald of Bon Jovi perform onstage during the Universal Appeal Concert on March 24, 2001, at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. | Source: Getty Images

Alec was only 31 when he joined Bon Jovi. He said, “My sister eventually got really mad because the papers would describe her as my older sister when really she was younger.”

At 43, Alec began to feel burnt out because he no longer enjoyed his work. Wanting a different environment, he kept a low profile after his time with Bon Jovi.

A few years later, Alec reconnected with his former Bon Jovi bandmates. The band reunited in 2018 for their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, where they delivered a speech. 

Even when Alec quit the band, the band members felt no ill will toward him. Such stated during the induction that he was “too happy” to become a part of Jon’s vision for the band. 

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