Richie Sambora Leaves Bon Jovi After 30 Years

[Teh One Who Knocks]

By Allison Takeda - Us Weekly




So much for being there forever and a day. After 30 years as lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora has parted ways with the legendary rock band, a source confirms to Us Weekly. (RumorFix.com was first to report the split.)

"There were a lot of well-documented problems, so this was the best decision for now," the source tells Us. A rep for Bon Jovi had no comment.

Incidentally, Sambora, 54, has been absent from the group's ongoing Because We Can tour in recent months. "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg," a statement on the band's website read on April 3. "All shows will go on as scheduled."

The New Jersey native has been with Bon Jovi since the band's inception in 1983. In the 30 years since, the group has released 12 studio albums, three compilations, and two live albums. They've sold more than 130 million records worldwide and have performed in more than 50 countries all over the world. In 2009, Sambora and the band's namesake, Jon Bon Jovi, were inducted together into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

According to RumorFix, Sambora will still collect songwriting royalties and profits from merchandise.

[Muddy]

A guitarist can always be replaced.. A singer, not so much.

[Hal-9000]

does it really matter at this point?

those guys have millions, he's 54....sit at home and play Guitar Hero on the Xbox

[perrhaps]

does it really matter at this point?

those guys have millions, he's 54....sit at home and play Guitar Hero on the Xbox

Should have never quit playing with Heather Locklear.

[Goofy]

does it really matter at this point?

those guys have millions, he's 54....sit at home and play Guitar Hero on the Xbox

Not about the money - nothing can replace the buzz of walking out in front of thousands of fans and playing your chosen instrument........... i found that out after having a wank in the centre circle at Hampden Park

[DemonGeminiX]

A guitarist can always be replaced.. A singer, not so much.

Sambora made up half of the songwriting team of the band. You can't replace 30 years of defining their sound due to his songwriting style and skills.

And go tell Van Halen and Anthrax you can't replace a singer. Shit, go tell Van Halen you can replace a guitarist.

[redred]

Or GnR , never the same without slash

[Hal-9000]

Not about the money - nothing can replace the buzz of walking out in front of thousands of fans and playing your chosen instrument........... i found that out after having a wank in the centre circle at Hampden Park

Bono had a great response to a question during an interview

interviewer - Do you still have an ego after playing to huge crowds in stadiums for over 20 years?
Bono - No, I enjoy singing anything that I've written, the venue isn't important.......as long as there's 20000 people in front of me at the time

[Muddy]

Sambora made up half of the songwriting team of the band. You can't replace 30 years of defining their sound due to his songwriting style and skills.

And go tell Van Halen and Anthrax you can't replace a singer. Shit, go tell Van Halen you can replace a guitarist.

Van halen couldnt replace a singer! Sammie Hagar sucked! Ol' gravel voice top forty crap.

[DemonGeminiX]

Van halen couldnt replace a singer! Sammie Hagar sucked! Ol' gravel voice top forty crap.

That's your opinion, and an opinion that agrees with a minority. The Hagar albums all went platinum, each at least 2X.

I know I own them. As far as I'm concerned, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge is one of the greatest shredder/rock guitar albums ever put out.

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I too liked VH with Sammy Hagar, they had some great music. Now when they replaced Hagar with Gary Cherone on the other hand...

[DemonGeminiX]

Yeah, Gary Cherone sucked.

[Hal-9000]

I must be a purist...even when The Stones replaced Brian Jones and The Who replaced Keith Moon, I felt that the bands changed. Not that the 'newer' music was any worse, just not part of the original mix.

Zeppelin could have hired 50 drummers to replace Bonham and didn't, I respect them a great deal for not doing that.

[Hal-9000]

and conversely I prayed for GnR to get rid of Asshole Rose...but if they did, it wouldn't really be GnR anymore

[Muddy]

That's your opinion, and an opinion that agrees with a minority.

Not hardly.