Alec John Such, original bassist for Bon Jovi, dead at 70

Alec John Such, a founding member of Bon Jovi, has died, Jon Bon Jovi announced on social media on Sunday. He was 70.

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Jon Bon Jovi posted news about the bassist’s death in a Twitter post. A cause of death has not been revealed.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such,” Bon Jovi wrote. “He was an original. As a founding member of Bon Jovi, Alec was integral to the formation of the band. … To be honest, we found our way to each other through him.

“He was a childhood friend of Tico (Torres) and brought Richie (Sambora) to see us perform. Alec was always wild and full of life. Today these special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. We will miss him dearly.”

Born in Yonkers, New York on Nov. 14, 1951, John Such played with Sambora in The Message, before joining Bon Jovi, Variety reported.

He booked Jon Bon Jovi & The Wild Ones when he was the manager of the Hunka Bunka Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, the entertainment website reported. Seeing the potential of the group, John Such joined the band as its bassist.

John Such brought Torres and Sambora into the band, while Bon Jovi brought in his childhood friend David Bryan, Variety reported. The band’s third album, “Slippery When Wet,” sold 12 million copies. He played on Bon Jovi’s first five albums, according to Rolling Stone.

John Such appeared on hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “I’ll Be There for You.”

John Such left the band in 1994 and was replaced by Hugh McDonald, according to The Associated Press. He later rejoined the band for its induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

“When Jon Bon Jovi called me up and asked me to be in his band many years ago, I soon realized how serious he was and he had a vision that he wanted to bring us to,” John Such said at the band’s induction into the Hall of Fame. “And I am only too happy to have been a part of that vision.

“These guys are the best. We had so many great times together and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for those guys. Love them to death and always will.”

Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan tweeted his condolences, writing “RIP my soul brother…. It was an honor and pleasure to share the stage and to share life with you.”

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