Subtitles section Play video Print subtitles "Please introduce me to your friends." "This is Richie Sambora, our lead guitarist." "Nice to have you with us!" Led by vocalist Jon Bon Jovi, the Bon Jovi lineup has remained surprisingly consistent over the years, aside from a few tweaks in the early days and the usual addition of touring musicians. In 2013, however, the announcement came that longtime guitarist Richie Sambora was leaving the band, shocking fans. "It wasn't a popular decision by any means." He was replaced by Phil X, a stellar session guitarist who has collaborated with a diverse collection of artists, from Kelly Clarkson to Rob Zombie. "It's so cool." The change left many wondering why someone like Sambora would depart from a successful band like Bon Jovi. Life as a touring rock musician, though luxurious and exciting, is not without its difficulties. One such challenge is the extended time spent away from family. "Jon cannot come to the phone. We're in Australia, man!" In a 2020 interview with People, Sambora shared that the prospect of spending more time with Ava, his daughter with actor Heather Locklear, was the catalyst for his decision to leave the band. "It's certainly worked out for our family." Sambora told the magazine, "That was a time of psychological maintenance for the family. You know, I ain't no angel. But I realized Ava needed me to be around at that point in time. Family had to come first, and that's what happened." "I'm lucky enough to have an amazing relationship with my daughter." However, there might be more to the story of why Sambora split from Bon Jovi. In 2021, he appeared on an episode of Deep Hidden Meaning Radio with Nile Rogers, where he said that his role within the band was to stay quiet about his involvement in writing some of the band's biggest hits. He told Rogers, "That was part of my deal, to shut the f---k up. [...] And you know what? Guess what? I did it. And it worked out, because that's what [Jon] needed, for whatever reason." But Sambora told the Daily Mail in 2020 that there's no ill-will between himself and his former bandmates, and he'd even be open for a reunion, saying: "It would have to be a special situation for me to go back, but I'm certainly not counting it out. I have no malice toward that band." With a nearly 40-year career, Bon Jovi stands as one of the most successful American rock bands in history. The New Jersey outfit has sold over 100 million albums and produced dozens of hits. According to Billboard, the band has charted 25 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with four of those—including crowd-favorite karaoke tunes "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer"—reaching the top spot.
B1 US bon jovi jovi bon band richie jon The Real Reason Richie Sambora Left Bon Jovi 17 0 林宜悉 posted on 2024/04/27 More Share Save Report Video vocabulary