Desmond Child’s Livin’ On A Prayer: Beyond the Hits

Legendary songwriter Desmond Child takes the spotlight in his new memoir, Livin’ On A Prayer. Known for crafting era-defining hits like Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer” and Ricky Martin’s “Livin’ La Vida Loca,”

Child invites readers into the extraordinary journey that shaped his illustrious career. Collaborating with renowned music biographer David Ritz, he reveals a deeply personal story of resilience, identity, and creativity.

Child’s memoir unfolds as a kaleidoscope of emotions, experiences, and revelations.

Growing up in a colorful Cuban family that fled to the U.S. in the 1960s, Desmond recounts the struggles of poverty, cultural displacement, and his discovery at 18 that the man he called “dad” wasn’t his biological father.

With honesty and vulnerability, he shares the challenges of being a gay Latino man navigating the male-dominated rock and roll world, all while willing himself to succeed against incredible odds.

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Child reflects on his turbulent relationship with his mother, the influence of his Cuban roots, and the transformative power of music.

More than just a recounting of his career highlights, the book dives into the human behind the hits.

He also shares anecdotes about his long-term partner, Curtis, and the concert at Athens’ Odeon of Herodes Atticus—a pivotal moment that delayed the memoir’s completion but holds deep personal and cultural significance.

The book is not merely a catalog of his collaborations, though readers will find plenty of context behind iconic songs.

Instead, Livin’ On A Prayer is a narrative that leaps from one vivid story to another, blending humor, heartbreak, and triumph.

It also highlights his advocacy for causes like the reunification of the Parthenon sculptures, underscoring his global perspective and passion for justice.

Desmond Child also spoke with Classic Album Review about working with Alice Cooper on Trash, and the possibility of a Trash 2.

“Trash? … I co-wrote almost every song with him from scratch. Okay. And I think we had one song that he (Alice Cooper) had brought with him that he had written, I think, with Kip Winger from before. And, I produced the album.”

“That’s how involved I was with the album trash. And I also invited all the artists that I had been having success with to be on the record, and they did it. Everybody Loves Alice, but they did it for me to for me as a favor, because I had put them all on top.”

Rolling Stone placed the album at 36 on their list of the “50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums of All Time“.

The follow-up Hey Stoopid featured mostly songs co-written with Jack Ponti and Vic Pepe. And a few with Desmond Child.

“…how do you go from 4.5 million to or almost 4.5 million to 85,000 and then be dropped? I don’t understand why they didn’t just…recover and come back to me,…to make Trash Two.”

Sources:

• Child, D., & Ritz, D. (2024). Livin’ On A Prayer: Big Hits and Bigger Dreams. New York: Publisher.
• Athens Concert Highlights. (2024). Efforts for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures.
• Child, D. (2024). Personal Reflections on Family, Identity, and Advocacy in Livin’ On A Prayer.