I'm not frightened of failure, I'm frightened of standing still

Jon Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi follows other pop stars to speak at the Oxford Union such as Steps, Barry White and Michael Jackson.

Bon Jovi said of his motivation to speak at the union: "It's the same feeling that has led me to start at the bottom as an actor and prove myself - I'm not frightened of failure, I'm frightened of standing still."

Controversy

Born John Francis Bongiovi on 2 March 1962 in New Jersey, he played in local bands with his friend David Rashbaum, practicing in his cousin Tony's studio.

One of Bon Jovi's songs, Runaway, was regularly played on New Jersey radio, and he formed a band to hit the club circuit with Rashbaum, Dave Sabo, Alec Such, and Tico Torres. The band became hot property overnight.

Mercury Records signed the group in 1983, but the contract is still shrouded in controversy.

Many people believe that Bon Jovi was the only signatory, the remaining members of the band being mere "employees".

Experiences

Amy Harland, president of the Oxford Union, said: "Mr Bon Jovi has always been a favourite amongst the Oxford students.

Michael Jackson: Tearful speech at the Union in March

"We can't wait to hear about his experiences performing across the world and his views on the modern world of music."

Michael Jackson's bizarre appearance earlier this year saw him hobble into the Union on crutches. He made a tearful speech to the students about his lost childhood and the pressures of fame.

No reporters were allowed into the union to watch Jackson's speech. They had to make do with a live video feed.

The European Leg of Bon Jovi's One Wild Night tour continues at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 8 June. The tour concludes in Giants stadium in New York on 28 July.