Jon Bon Jovi Says His First Recording Paid $180 On A Star Wars Christmas Album

Jon Bon Jovi has shared that his first professional studio paycheck totaled just $180, earned from a song recorded for a Star Wars themed Christmas album released in 1980.

The 63 year old musician, who has led the rock band Bon Jovi since 1983, uploaded an image of his original contract to Instagram. The document shows an agreement with producer Meco Monardo for Christmas in the Stars, outlining a single flat fee and confirming that Bon Jovi signed away any future royalty claims.

Alongside the image, he wrote: “My very first contract from 1980, always a trip coming across these… I’m sure it lives online somewhere.”

Released via RSO Records, the album included narration and vocals from C 3PO actor Anthony Daniels. Bon Jovi provided the singing voice on R2 D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas, marking his first ever recording before officially launching his career with Bon Jovi.

While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live last year, the Always singer explained how he ended up contributing to the holiday record.

He recalled: “I was basically running errands at a recording studio from late 1980 through ’83, right up until we made the first album.

“There was this guy, Meco Monardo, who was making novelty records off the Star Wars buzz. He was trying to sound like a kid singing, but it came across like an older guy pretending. He said, ‘Hey kid, can you sing?’ and I answered, ‘That’s kind of my thing… yeah, I can.’ He told me, ‘Go in there, and if you want to do it, it pays $183,’ and that’s how I earned $183 for singing.”