David Bryan
Composer, Lyricist
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Biography
David Bryan
David Bryan, born David Bryan Rashbaum on February 7, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is an American composer, songwriter, and musician best known as the longtime keyboardist for the iconic rock band Bon Jovi. Raised in Edison, New Jersey, Bryan began playing piano at a young age and studied classical music before branching into rock, R&B, and jazz. His early musical education at Juilliard and Oberlin Conservatory equipped him with both technical mastery and stylistic range, skills that would serve him throughout his multifaceted career.
In 1983, Bryan co-founded Bon Jovi with lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, quickly rising to international fame with hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “You Give Love a Bad Name,” and “Wanted Dead or Alive.” As the band’s keyboardist and a key contributor to its sound, Bryan helped Bon Jovi sell over 100 million albums worldwide and become one of the most successful touring acts in history. While his work with the band cemented his place in rock history, Bryan also nurtured a parallel passion for composing theatrical works that combined his rock background with traditional storytelling.
Bryan’s foray into musical theatre began with The Toxic Avenger (2008), a satirical rock musical based on the cult classic film. Collaborating with playwright Joe DiPietro, Bryan composed a high-energy score that blended humor, camp, and rock-and-roll spirit. The show was a hit Off-Broadway, winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and showcasing Bryan’s ability to successfully cross genres from arena rock to theatre songwriting.
His biggest theatrical achievement came with Memphis (2009), also co-written with DiPietro. The musical, which tells the story of a white disc jockey who champions Black music in the segregated 1950s South, won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and earned Bryan the Tony Award for Best Original Score. The show’s fusion of gospel, soul, and early rock reflected Bryan’s deep understanding of American popular music and its power to address social themes.
Today, David Bryan continues to balance his career with Bon Jovi while composing for the stage and exploring new creative projects. His contributions to both rock music and Broadway have earned him acclaim as a versatile artist who bridges popular culture and theatrical tradition. With his signature blend of rock passion and theatrical flair, Bryan has established himself as one of the rare musicians to leave a lasting mark on both the concert stage and the Broadway stage.
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