Bon Jovi’s first bassist Alec John Such dies at 70

A founding member of the legendary US rock band Bon Jovi, former bassist Alec John Such, the group announced, reports BBC. He died at the age of 70 on June 5.

John Such played with the group from 1983 to 1994, when they had hits as ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’, ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ and ‘Bad Medicine’.

“We are heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of our dear friend Alec John Such,” Bon Jovi posted. “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 thru 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.” No details were given of how or where he had died.

“Alec was integral to the formation of the band,” singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi tweeted. “To be honest we found our way to each other thru him...”

A childhood friend of drummer Tico Torres, he brought guitarist and songwriter Richie Sambora to see the band perform, Bon Jovi said. “Today those special memories bring a smile to my face and a tear to my eye,” he added. “We’ll miss him dearly.”

Born in New York on 14 November 1951, Such became a familiar figure on the New Jersey music scene where the band emerged, the Associated Press reports. He originally played in a band called ‘The Message’.

He was responsible for booking Jon Bon Jovi & ‘The Wild Ones’ before joining the band himself.