The members of Born Jovi, the premiere tribute to the music of the now legendary rock band Bon Jovi, are no "pretenders to the throne". Both Jimmi Driscoll (Bon Jovi) and Dave Janssen (Ritchie Sambora) were active on the Sunset Strip during the heart of the big hair band. They were members of one of the hottest bands on the strip in the genre that would see Bon Jovi rise above the crowded field to international fame. Jimmi was told by a record exec that the band Rockne would get a record deal except his lead vocal sounded exactly like Bon Jovi. Jimmi's long time producer and collaborator, Jeffrey Wayne (Tico), Co-wrote the top 10 country hit "Waiting on Lonely" for Austrialian artist Ronnie Rae Rivers and having credits for writing in film, radio and TV, often joked that they should start a Bon Jovi tribute band.They invited seasoned musican Rick Gagliano to join because he would bring his many years of professional touring and stage performance talent to the band, having performed with several top regional acts throughout the East Coast, Midwest, as well as Southern California His work has been acclaimed by many music publications, including “Guitar for the Practicing Musician” and “Topless Guitar” magazines.
His title track “Dancing in Light” won him a 1997 GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance. The bands singular focus on replicating the music using their combined years of professional experience and that attention to detail garners them praise from musicians and hardcore Bon Jovi fans all over Southern California at venues as far ranging as State Fairs, opening for national acts like Y & T at rock venues and private clubs and parties. A Born Jovi show is a living example of the lyrics they sing, "Gonna live while I'm alive and sleep when I'm dead"