GUITARIST RICHIE SAMBORA SAYS THAT BON JOVI IS “NOT THE REAL THING” WITHOUT HIS PRESENCE
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
I personally feel that Bon Jovi as a band is not complete with out Ritchie. If there was no Ritchie there would have been no wanted dead or alive and some other great hits. But Bon jovi I personally feel, and this is just my opinion they have seen their better days. Their last cd was awful complete let down.. Almost seems like they did not even try.. Where as Ritchie’s last solo effort i thought was great but was not a great success commercially . Bands like this will only make money on touring. The music industry is dead, and the artist know this. Thats where the fighting and greed for $$ money comes in. If i had a ticket to bon jovi and a ticket to see Sambora on the same night id go see Sambora..
Imagine 3 guys on the next tour posters/CD. Jon should just go Bruce, pull the plug…he’d still do 15,000 a night.
go Bruce…lol thats hilarious…
PS If I did see Bon Jovi (which I wouldn’t to hear two hours of crap in between the few good songs) personally I’d want to see Richie-it’s like Motley without Mike Mars, or Ratt without Warren DeMartini, or Poison without CC. The frontman will always be the focus, but not having the original guitar hero (in this case Richie) is like having a hamburger without fries-it just doesn’t leave you with a contented feeling when it’s over.
er meant Mick 😉
Bon Jovi poser band that will continue on without RItchie . Jon pockets more $$ and no one cares. Scott Ian sucks Genes dick in hopes of landing an opening slot . And Foreigner on TMS. They suck and have always sucked. I guess we will be hearing from Foghat any day now.
Wow..some really angry posters on here.
Dana from EddieTrunk.com 🙂
tell me about it sista
Okay, now that response made me laugh-LOL!
Dana from ET.com 🙂
How many times we hear this ?, It’s not the same band without me , People need to realize, A band is more than the individual parts. If one guy quits or is fired, The band moves on or quits.