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

Tico Torres and Jon Bon Jovi at the "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story" premiere as part of SXSW 2024 Conference and Festivals at the Paramount Theatre on March 14, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

Jon Bon Jovi, who has had an extremely successful career with his band over the past few decades, just opened up for the first time about the possibility of retiring in the near future.

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.”

Jon Bon Jovi on when he'll retire: 'No one loved the Fat Elvis'

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.”

Jon Bon Jovi on looming retirement after throat surgery: 'I'll be crushed'
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.