Alec John Such

Alexander John Such (November 14, 1951 – June 5, 2022) was an American musician, best known as the bassist of the rock band Bon Jovi. He played in the band from 1983 to 1994, appearing on their first five studio albums.

Biography

Such was of Hungarian and German descent. He started his musical career in the New Jersey band Phantom's Opera, who performed both covers and original songs. In the early 1980s he also played in the hard rock band Message, which included guitarist Richie Sambora. During this time Such also managed the Hunka Bunka Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, where he booked Jon Bon Jovi & the Wild Ones. He was asked to join Jon Bon Jovi's band in 1983. Bon Jovi's first manager, Peter Mantas, credits much of the classic Bon Jovi lineup to Alec's connections in the local music scene: "Without Alec, there would not have been Tico [Torres], who he had played with in Phantom's Opera, and there wouldn't have been Richie."

Alex Such announced in 1994 that he would not play on the band's next album, citing Jon Bon Jovi's criticism of his bass playing, but said that he would still tour with the band. He was let go from the band later that year. Such's departure from Bon Jovi was the band's first major lineup change. He was unofficially replaced by Hugh McDonald, who had played on the original version of the Bon Jovi single "Runaway" before joining officially. It was revealed later on in a document "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story" that, apart from his musical abilities, his problems with drugs and alcohol also contributed to his dismissal.