Richie Sambora has suggested that Bon Jovi aren’t the real McCoy without him. Although, he accepts that frontman Jon Bon Jovi doesn’t agree with that statement.
The guitarist says his departure from the band was his own decision. And he admits he’s found it frustrating being seen a less important member than the singer.
Long-standing tensions between the pair boiled over last April, when Sambora failed to appear for a string of tour dates and was replaced by Phil X, who’d covered for him while he was in rehab in 2011.
Neither side has fully discussed the reasons for the disagreement. But in the summer Sambora predicted it would all be over in a matter of months, which proved to be untrue.
He tells the Herald Sun, “It was an unpopular decision with the fans and the band, but sometimes a man’s got to do for his family. It certainly didn’t come down to money – it’s something I needed to do for my family and myself.”
Sambora says of his absence, “At the end of the day, if you’re going to buy a can of Coke you want the real thing. I know Mick Jagger wouldn’t tour without Keith Richards and call it the Rolling Stones. Jon just has a different mentality.”
Sambora remains disappointed at how his contribution has been viewed, saying: “For the longest time, even now, I’m considered Bon Jovi’s side-arm or something. Hey, I built this band too.”
But the door still isn’t closed on a reunion. “I’m not saying the band will not get back together at some point,” he states. “There will have to be a lot of communication, a lot of talking.”
additional source: classicrockmagazine.com
55 Responses
All about money. He drew a line in the dirt like at the Alamo and Jon held up the contract with percentages way huge for Jon (management points included) and said “I’m the reason we sell out that German stadium and tomorrow here or next year anywhere and I’ll do it with X, watch me bro, you got 5 minutes to sign and get your ass on that stage”. He fled, and Jon was right…..Sambora is not needed. X might be getting 5% of Sambora’s wage…nothing from merchandising. Hey Richie put out a dull 1975 Clapton-like solo album and we’ll see you off that 101 where Kiefer played and Debbie Gibson….the guys hit the deck in Berlin to 80,000.
Say what you want about Clapton, I’ll guarantee he was playing to 20X the number of people Samboring was playing to after a dull solo LP. Even with Clapton’s “dullest” LPs, there was usually at least a hit or two on them.
I’m happy for Phil X. A good local Canadian boy and an amazing guitar player. But if it wasn’t for the 95% female fan base, Sambora or not – there never would have even been a Bon Jovi.
This is all about penis envy….and we know who the real contender in this fight is. Just ask Heather or Howard Stern. Lol!
I saw Bon Jovi in a mafia toilet in New Jersey pre record deal…..it was a typical crowd you see at a Sabbath show, few females. Their music did it with the kicked in vids. White Tiger shoulda broke….they played the same Sopranos venues and sounded better. Back in ’75 Clapton had no hits and that album with the dog sucked. Roland with a bullseye.
Holy crap…did you just compare yourself to Keith Richards? Dude. You just need to get over yourself. YES you built Bon Jovi. but please man, look at what you have and stop worrying about getting a pat on the back for it. You’re just looking foolish. I tell my 7 yr old this all the time: “Look at what you have, and not what you don’t have.”