PRPhotos.com

Sayerville, New Jersey’s favorite son, Jon Bon Jovi, has been honored by the Garden State with a newly named service area now bearing his name. Tapinto.net reported that Bon Jovi was one of nine New Jerseyans commemorated, with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority renaming the Cheesequake service area, at Exit 124, for the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. Others receiving the honor included Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, and James Gandolfini.

Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement: “This is about putting New Jersey greatness on full display. This is the first part of an extended statewide exhibition of New Jersey heroes throughout our state. From military heroes on the Battleship New Jersey to historical figures on the New Jersey Turnpike to science and technology trailblazers at Newark Penn Station, New Jerseyans will find pride in our contributions to society and the world.”

First Lady Tammy Murphy added: “By highlighting the past achievements of New Jersey residents, we aim to encourage hope for the future success stories of our great state, and maybe even inspire the next Jon Bon Jovi to achieve all that they can through the opportunities afforded in New Jersey.”

A total of nine service areas have been renamed:

Montvale: James Gandolfini Service Area
Brookdale North: Larry Doby Service Area
Brookdale South: Connie Chung Service Area
Vauxhall: Whitney Houston Service Area
Cheesequake: Jon Bon Jovi Service Area
Monmouth: Judy Blume Service Area
Forked River: Celia Cruz Service Area
Atlantic: Frank Sinatra Service Area
Ocean View: Toni Morrison Service Area

During Bon Jovi’s 2018 Rock Hall acceptance speech, Jon Bon Jovi spoke about the long ascent to making it and recalled his earliest days as a musician: “Whoever plays in their garage — dreams of being in a rock band and I was no different. I began in my buddy’s basement and in the backyard. We played in the local talent show, came in second place. Worked up to block dances, then the clubs where we got a glimpse of what we thought was the big time. At 17, I started a big 10-piece band called the Atlantic City Expressway playing the songs of my childhood heroes; the Animals and Thin Lizzy, of course — but a lot of Bruce Springsteen and Southside Johnny (applause).”