Session guitarist Tim Pierce, a renowned figure in the music industry, has revealed the fascinating backstory behind the creation of his guitar solo on Bon Jovi’s debut single, “Runaway.” In a recent interview with MusicRadar, Pierce shared that the track, recorded in 1981, was the result of a spontaneous session—and that he had no clue it would become the band’s breakthrough hit.
At the time, Jon Bon Jovi was just 19, while Pierce, four years his senior, was a rising talent in the studio scene. Reflecting on his first meeting with the ambitious young artist, Pierce described Bon Jovi as “laser-focused” on achieving stardom, likening his determination to that of a young athlete striving for greatness.
“Runaway” was recorded before Bon Jovi officially assembled his band. The session lineup included Pierce on guitar, Hugh McDonald on bass, Frankie LaRocka on drums, and Roy Bittan on keyboards. Bon Jovi’s connections within the Power Station studio, where he worked and mingled with legends like Bruce Springsteen, played a crucial role in the song’s production.
Pierce admitted he was unaware the improvised track would make its way onto Bon Jovi’s debut album, let alone become their first single. He recounted:
“We tracked the song, overdubbed the guitars and solo in a smaller room, and I just made up the solo. It was pure collaboration. Everyone weighed in, shaping what became the final version.”
Using rented and borrowed equipment—including a Les Paul, Marshalls, and a Schecter Stratocaster copy—Pierce approached the session with a mix of instinct and thoughtfulness. He reflected on the experience:
“You spend your life emulating your heroes, then suddenly you’re in the game. You just do your best and hope it resonates.”
Decades later, Pierce’s improvised solo remains an integral part of “Runaway,” a song that kickstarted one of rock music’s most enduring careers.
