Jon Bon Jovi Announces 2026 Forever Tour After Vocal Cord Surgery Recovery

Jon Bon Jovi Hitting the road again for the first time since undergoing major surgery to repair a “dead” vocal cord in 2022.

During an interview on Thursday “Today” showThe 63-year-old music icon announced that his band, Bon Jovi, will launch their international “The Forever Tour” in July 2026.

Speaking with host Savannah Guthrie, Bon Jovi opened up about recovering from a vocal injury that nearly ended his decade-long career.

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“One of my ropes had slipped, and the strong one was pushing, the weak one was around and this one was dying,” he shared.

Jon Bon Jovi is making a comeback after a vocal injury nearly ended his career. (via MICHAEL TRAN/AFP Getty Images)

The “Livin’ on a Prayer” hitmaker made it clear “40 Years of Hard Work” His vocal cords were strained.

However, Bon Jovi found a surgeon who was able to perform medialization thyroplasty surgery, a sophisticated procedure in which an implant was placed on the outside of his vocal cords to rebuild the weakened cord.

“The road was long and hard, but I persevered,” he said.

After the operation, Bon Jovi said he began a long recovery process that included months of rehabilitation, vocal exercises and rebuilding his stamina.

The singer underwent major vocal cord surgery. (Shirlane Forrest)

Bon Jovi noted that the injury could end his career altogether, telling Guthrie that he would have quit performing if he had not been able to restore his voice to its former strength.

“I’m not a clapping junkie. I do it for fun and I Do it for art” Bon Jovi said. “The rest is great because I’m good at it. But if you can’t do it in a happy place, what’s the motivation?”

“I have other things in my life. It’s what I do. It’s not who I am,” he added.

However, he said he is determined to make a full recovery and return to the stage. Bon Jovi explained that he devoted himself to rehearsing for hours every day in his garage to retrain his voice.

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“It’s like training for a marathon,” Bon Jovi said. “Anyone can go for a run. Being able to go the distance is a completely different commitment. You have to be physically, mentally and spiritually ready to do it again.”

Bon Jovi said he rehearsed for hours every day to get back on stage. (John Nation/GETTY IMAGES)

The Grammy Award Winner Admitted that there were days when he feared he had already performed his final concert.

“And then the next day, there’s a little glimmer of hope,” Bon Jovi shared. “The next day was brighter. And until the next time, some concussion punches you in the nose, you pick yourself up and do it again.”

Bon Jovi said he feels he is now ready to perform again at his previous pace.

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“I think I can say with confidence that I can go and do my two and a half hours, night after night,” he said. “But I won’t do it unless it is.”

Bon Jovi was interviewed inside Madison Square Garden in New York Citywhere he will perform the first concert of his tour.

“There are very few people in this world who can carry the arena. I know it’s exciting – is it a little scary?” Guthrie asked him.

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“Sure, but you know, it’s just the human factor,” he replied. “The good news is that I know the band has my back and I guarantee you that every single person in this house will be rooting for me.”

The Forever Tour will begin in July 2026. (Image courtesy of Reuters)

24 Oct. On, Bon Jovi released their “Forever (Legendary Edition)” collaboration album, in which they worked with some of the biggest stars in the music world, including Bruce Springsteen. Jelly roll and Avril Lavigne, to create new versions of songs from their original 2024 album.

“It was a joy,” he said of working with the singers featured on the album.

He added, “As a songwriter it was beautiful to hear your songs performed by great artists.”

Bon Jovi shared that kicking off the tour at Madison Square Garden means a lot to the band. They made their first appearance at the legendary venue in 1983 when they opened for ZZ Top.

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“This is the Garden,” he said. “Nothing like that.”

Bon Jovi’s “Forever Tour” will begin on July 7, 2026 and conclude on September 4, 2026 at London’s Wembley Stadium.