Jeanette Settembre of the New York Post reports:
Fans have been livin’ on a prayer that Jon Bon Jovi and his band’s guitarist, Richie Sambora, would bury the hatchet for their 2026 tour.
But they were once again left disappointed when the first Bon Jovi dates in years were announced and Sambora, who last played with the New Jersey icons in 2013, was still excluded.
It seems the former bandmates’ 80s rock star egos are still clashing 12 years later.
“Jon doesn’t want Richie with him,” an insider told The Post.
“He’s jealous of Richie. He iced him out. But these are all his songs. With Bon Jovi – 65% of Bon Jovi’s sound is Richie’s,” the insider claimed, pointing to mega hits like Livin’ on a Prayer; You Give Love a Bad Name; and Wanted Dead or Alive, all co-written by Sambora.
Die-hard fans started posting “Where’s Richie?!” in the comments section of the announcement for the seven-date, Forever tour which begins in July 2026 at Madison Square Garden before making its way to the UK.
Sambora left the band hours before they were set to perform in Calgary, Canada, in 2013…
…Bon Jovi has always been tight lipped over the fall out, telling Ultimate Classic Rock last March, “We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organization any longer.
He just didn’t show up anymore. And there were emotional issues that he was dealing with as a single dad, and there was substance abuse issues.”
However, the insider claimed Jon had been battling his own steroid addiction around the same time.
“Jon was sticking a needle in his neck for 20 years. Even when he was burning out – he kept using it. He knew he had a problem in 2009,” they told The Post.
The singer became addicted to prednisone, according to the insider, which can be injected directly into the vocal cords for temporary relief from loss of vocal range and hoarseness.
Bon Jovi previously opened up about using steroids to help save his voice…
…The insider told The Post Sambora was amped on returning to the iconic rock band for the Forever tour, and claiming he even “hugged it out” with Jon during a meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, to discuss plans to reunite on tour.
“When Richie was walking out the door, Jon was like, ‘You’re not at 25% anymore, you’re at 10%,” the insider said of Richie’s earnings for the tour.
That apparently caused him to back out again. “[Richie] sent Jon a video and said, ‘Hey man, lots of love, lots of prayers – good luck on the road.’ It’s an insult to Richie.” The insider said.
A source close to the band told The Post, “Richie made the choice to leave 13 years ago, so it is his decision to not be part of the band.”
He has been replaced since 2013 by Canadian guitarist Phil X (born Philip Xenidis).
The insider accused front man Bon Jovi of acting more like “con Jovi,” in recent years, trying to assume the whole band’s legacy as his own.
“Jon wanted all the money, the fame,” they said, insisting Sambora is the better songwriter, adding, “In the beginning, Jon said, ‘Hey I have all these songs.’ Richie was like, ‘Hey, they don’t sound good. The ones Richie writes become hits. He s–ts gold bars.”
However, a string of solo singles released by the guitarist in 2024 and 2025 have failed to have much impact…
…the insider insists it’s the fans who are the ones that suffer because the two key members can’t work things out.
“The fans know the difference. That’s the sad thing,” they claimed.
Read, the entire story, at the NY Post.
6 Responses
Assuming everything in this article is true.
Silly for JBJ to exclude Richie from the tour – could have made more $$$ with Richie on the ticket
Also silly for JBJ to reduce Richie’s percentage. Glad Richie said thanks but no thanks.
Plus Jon’s voice is shot. Wish JBJ luck on the tour – imagine there will be some vocal manipulation.
As a side note, ashame Richie’s solo career did not take off.
For the very first time……..I will be a attending a King’s X show tonight. Now THAT is a band who SHOULD have been huge.
I lost count of how many times I’ve seen King’s X. You are in for a treat! I’ve met them several times as well. The last time I saw them was 2019 & they did free meet n greets after the show. And they weren’t rushing you through. Got several items autographed by the band, nice conversation and a great photo of my wife and I with them while they were jamming it up for the camera.
JBJ has stated that Richie could “sit in” anytime he wants, but Richie want to return to a hero’s welcome resuming his previous position with them in a nostalgia filled love-fest. I have nothing but respect for Richie’s contributions to the band, which are not small. I saw a video of Richie with Chris Schiflett showing some of his classic Bon Jovi solo’s and it was hard to watch. He just didn’t have it anymore, and it would be noticeable on stage in comparison to how tight the live band sounds with Phil X.
My wife is a huge Bon Jovi fan. Assuming JBJ’s voice is well, she wants to go to one of the shows, provided its near our area. Richie on stage with the band would be huge for her. Richie was a big contributor to Bon Jovi’s success, he needs to be a part of these shows. Put egos aside, be professional, put on a great show, and say goodbye, properly, to the fans.
Hoping Richie pulls it together based on what you say……assuming the % can be negotiated.