Jon Bon Jovi Shares Plans for Possible Retirement for the ‘First Time’

Speaking with The Sunday Times in an interview published on Sat., April 13, the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer touched on his 2022 vocal chord surgery, for which he continues to get vocal therapy, saying that continuing his career as a performer depends on whether or not his voice can fully recover. “This is the first time I’m saying this,” he told the paper. “If the singing is not great, if I can’t be the guy I once was…then I’m done.”

The “Wanted Dead or Alive” singer added that he would be “good with that” as he kept a positive attitude about the possibility while considering his personal standards for touring. “I want to perform for two-and-a-half hours a night, four nights a week — and I know how good I can be, so if I can’t be that guy… put it this way, I don’t ever need to be the fat Elvis,” he said.

The 62-year-old got a little more emotional at the thought of having to put down the microphone as the earnest interview went on, telling the publication, “I’ll be crushed if I can’t sing live again, but what does a quarterback do when faced with the last ball he’ll ever throw?”

He concluded with a positive, hopeful perspective, saying, “I want to look back on 40 years of Bon Jovi, look forward to the new album and appreciate everything. That’s my hope: to find joy in it all.”

The singer also confirmed that his band successfully recorded its next album, Forever, despite his vocal struggles. The new 12-track album will be released on June 7. Ahead of its official release, Bon Jovi came out with the first single, “Legendary,” in March.

A new documentary series on Hulu called Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story will also premiere on April 26. The four-episode series is expected to cover a bit of Bon Jovi’s vocal issues and surgery.