Don't Believe the Bon Jovi Death Reports Audio Ink Radio

Don’t Believe the Bon Jovi Death Reports

2025-04-12

Famed rocker Jon Bon Jovi was the recent target of some internet confusion, stemming from someone in his camp recently passing away. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Ken Settle

In an age where pretty much everyone has access to the internet and information is moving at a very fast pace, it’s not surprising that rumors get started out of thin air. Sometimes those rumors involve famous celebrities and musicians.

Famed rocker Jon Bon Jovi was the recent target of some internet confusion, stemming from someone in his camp passing away and confusion setting in.

Jon Bon Jovi Confusion Online

Famed rock album cover designer Ioannis Vasilopoulos sadly passed away on April 7 at the age of 66. He designed album covers for a range of famous band and musicians, including the chart-topping Bon Jovi and Deep Purple.

His family announced his passing in an obituary dedicated to the late artist.

“We announce with heavy hearts the passing of Ioannis, our beloved artist, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle and friend,” they wrote. “He has left us for the great beyond. We find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his father, mother, family, and friends. The outpouring of love for Ioannis and his work is a great comfort.”

His family added, “Ioannis wanted to do so many new things, and as a family, we have been tasked with continuing his work. His energy will live on through his incredible art. His bright smile and child-like excitement live on in his works. Ioannis will undoubtedly be remembered as one of rock’s all-time great artists.”

Of course, all the headlines of his passing created a bit of confusion online. The phase “Bon Jovi dead” started trending in the U.S. and U.K. following the news of Vasilopoulos’ passing, but all it took was an online search for most fans to release that it was someone else, albeit still sad and a loss to the music community.

Legendary Album Cover Artist Designed More Than 350 Records

So, just how many album covers did Vasilopoulos design? A lot. He had actually designed more than 350 iconic record covers and merchandise before his passing, including for the Allman Brothers, Uriah Heap, Voivod, Styx, Blue Oyster Cult, Dream Theater, King Crimson, Starship, Yngwie Malmsteen, Lynard Skynard, Quiet Riot and more. Vasilopoulos’ his artwork was also featured in the famed Led Zeppelin book, “Get the Led Out,” which offers “a unique day-by-day timeline that reveals quirky insider details, achievements and exploits” for Zeppelin enthusiests.

Remember, he designed covers well before doing so was available at the click of a mouse online. This was a time when every rock band really had to reach out to a professional artist if they wanted their new record to look stellar. This was also an era when vinyl was all the rage, so artwork was even more important.

“There were so many things Ioannis wanted to do and so many new projects he could not wait to share. As a family we have been tasked to continue this work and that is what we are going to do,” his obituary read. “His energy will live on through his incredible art.”

It continued, “His bright smile and child-like excitement lives on in his works. Ioannis will undoubtedly be remembered as one of rock’s all-time great artists.”

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.

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