Alec John Such

Alec John Such (November 14, 1951 – June 5, 2022) was an American musician. He was best known as a founding member of the rock band Bon Jovi. As their bass player from 1983 to 1994, he played on their first five albums.

Such 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 orres who he had played with in Phantom’s Opera, and there wouldn’t have been Richie.”

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 replaced by Hugh McDonald, who had played on the original version of the Bon Jovi single “ Runaway” and played uncredited on ''Slippery When Wet'', ''New Jersey'', and ''Keep the Faith'' before joining officially.

After departing Bon Jovi, Such ended his career as a performing artist, stating in 2000, "I don't miss being in a band; I don't want any of that. I want to meet people and if they don't believe I was in Bon Jovi, I won't care. I don't think I've picked up a guitar since I left the band.” He remained involved in the music industry behind the scenes during the 1990s as a manager for bands such as Chicago-based 7th Heaven. Such made a guest appearance at a Bon Jovi show at Giant's Stadium in 2001 where he performed with the band on one song.

With Bon Jovi, Such was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. He played onstage with them for the last time as part of the induction ceremony.

Raised in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Such was a longtime resident of Colts Neck Township, New Jersey, where he kept many music artifacts in his home.Cotter, Kelly-Jane
"The Spoils of Rock 'n Roll"
''Home News Tribune'', May 14, 2000. Accessed June 7, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "'I made my money during the era of "He who dies with the most toys wins," ' says Alec John Such, right, who grew up in Perth Amboy and now lives in Colts Neck."

On June 5, 2022, around 2:15 AM, Alec woke up at his South Carolina home to use the bathroom. On his way back to bed, Alec called out to a friend who was staying with him, the friend helped Alec get back into bed and then left the room. When the friend came back later to check on him, he was found dead due to natural causes at the age of 70.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Such, Alec John
1951 births
2022 deaths
People from Yonkers, New York
Musicians from New Jersey
American rock bass guitarists
American male bass guitarists
People from Colts Neck Township, New Jersey
People from Perth Amboy, New Jersey
Bon Jovi members
20th-century American bass guitarists