Jon Bon Jovi recalls his first music contract

Jon Bon Jovi is looking back on his $180 paycheck that launched his career.

The rocker, 63, posted on Tuesday a photo of his first-ever music contract to Instagram.

The agreement, signed in 1980 with producer Meco Monardo, turned out to be for a Star Wars-themed Christmas album titled Christmas in the Stars.

The contract paid him just $180 and required him to waive all royalties.

“First ever contract back in 1980, always fun finding these … No doubt it’s online somewhere,” Bon Jovi wrote in the caption.

Christmas in the Stars featured C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels as both singer and narrator.

It also marked Bon Jovi’s first professional recording: his vocals on “R2-D2 We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

Four years later, Runaway became Bon Jovi’s first top-40 hit and kicked off a career that has since included more than 130 million albums sold. The band released its 16th studio album in 2024.