Bon Jovi is set to reintroduce their 2024 album Forever, this time as Forever (Legendary Edition), arriving on October 24 via Island Records Rolling Stone Australia. This reimagined version includes a dazzling lineup of guest vocalists—from Bruce Springsteen and Jelly Roll to Avril Lavigne, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, Lainey Wilson, and Marcus King, among many others Rolling Stone Australia.
What makes this edition so compelling? Let’s break down why this isn’t just a deluxe reissue—it’s a testament to friendship, resilience, and musical camaraderie.
1. A Roll Call of Star Power Meets Heart
“¯FOREVER (Legendary Edition)¯ includes guest appearances on vocals by Bruce Springsteen, Jelly Roll, James Bay, Robbie Williams, Jason Isbell, Ryan Tedder, THE WAR AND TREATY, DEF LEPPARD’s Joe Elliott, Lainey Wilson, Avril Lavigne and Marcus King, among others.” Rolling Stone Australia
- These collaborations uplift tracks originally featured on the 2024 Forever album, bringing fresh interpretations and emotion to each song.
- Notably, the edition opens with a new track, “Red, White & Jersey,” and features a reworked version of “Hollow Man” with Springsteen—both releasing on August 29 Rolling Stone Australia.
2. A Message from Jon Bon Jovi: “We Get By… with Help from Our Friends”
Jon Bon Jovi, in announcing the album, shares:
“This album is more than just a collection of collaborations, it is an album borne out of necessity,” he explains, recalling his journey through vocal cord rehab after the release of Forever in 2024.
“My vocal cord rehab was a well‑documented journey that played out while releasing ‘Forever’ in 2024. I was singing well in the studio… but the vocal demands and rigors of touring were still slightly out of reach. Without an ability to tour at that time, I continued working in the studio and called on some friends… great singers, artists, musicians and also just great people.” Rolling Stone Australia
He continues:
“The result is an album with a new viewpoint and new spirit—a collaboration album that proves we all get by in this world with a little help from our friends. I feel tremendous joy and gratitude releasing this album and I think it shows in the music. I can say with certainty that there is always something bigger than ME, and that’s WE.” Rolling Stone Australia
The message resonates—this isn’t just about releasing music; it’s about solidarity and artistic renewal.
3. Track Listing: New Songs & Reimagined Favorites
Here’s how Forever (Legendary Edition) unfolds:
- Red, White & Jersey (new opening track)
- Legendary (feat. James Bay)
- We Made It Look Easy (feat. Robbie Williams)
- Living Proof (feat. Jelly Roll)
- Waves (feat. Jason Isbell)
- Seeds (feat. Ryan Tedder)
- Kiss The Bride (feat. Billy Falcon)
- The People’s House (feat. The War & Treaty)
- Walls Of Jericho (feat. Joe Elliott)
- I Wrote You A Song (feat. Lainey Wilson)
- Living In Paradise (feat. Avril Lavigne)
- My First Guitar (feat. Marcus King)
- Hollow Man (feat. Bruce Springsteen)
- We Made It Look Easy / Hicimos Que Pareciera Fácil (feat. Carin León) Rolling Stone Australia
These guest appearances enrich, deepen, and remap the emotional terrain of the album, offering listeners new layers of connection and insight.
4. Context: The Original Forever and Its Emotional Roots
To appreciate this Legendary Edition fully, it helps to revisit the original Forever album.
Released June 7, 2024, Forever was Bon Jovi’s sixteenth studio album WikipediaAP News. It marked Jon’s return from vocal cord surgery in 2022, a recovery path that made touring a challenge even as studio recording went well BLABBERMOUTH.NETEW.com. The album was a triumph of joy and reflection—brimming with nostalgia, storytelling, and resilience. Tracks like “Living Proof,” enhanced by a talkbox riff, became instant standouts AP News.
Critics praised Forever as a “victory lap,” acknowledging not just the music but the growth and legacy embedded in it AP News.
5. Why Legendary Edition Matters
Narrative Arc: From struggle to solidarity, from ME to WE—this album charts both personal and collective evolution.
Timeliness: Released amid Jon’s healing—and at a time when music’s communal power feels more vital than ever—the album is cathartic.
Star Collaborators: From genre‑spanning icons to emerging voices, it bridges generations and styles.
