In the beginning, the strategy was straightforward and simple: Write well-crafted rock songs with a deliberate pop sheen, play your heart out every time you take the stage, always exceed the expectations of your fans, have fun, and look good.

Thirty-four years later, with millions of records sold, a batch of Number One albums and singles, world tours, and international fame, you might say the Bon Jovi plan was a pretty good one.

In fact, it was a damn good one.