Richie Sambora Talks Bon Jovi Departure And Possible Return

Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald recently caught up with guitarist Richie Sambora to discuss the possibility of him rejoining Bon Jovi. A couple of excerpts from the chat can be found below.
 
Although Sambora, who left Bon Jovi last year to spend time with his daughter, wouldn’t rule rejoining the band out, he said if it was to happen there would be a lot preconditions involved: “I’m not saying this band will not get back together at some point, or not,” he began “There will have to be a lot of communication, a lot of talking.”
 
He compared Bon Jovi’s recent tour without him to being like Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones touring without Keith Richards: “At the end of the day, if you’re going to buy a can of Coke, you want the real thing… (Frontman) Jon (Bon Jovi) just has a different mentality. I know Mick Jagger wouldn’t tour without Keith Richards and call it the Rolling Stones.”
 
Sambora, who co-wrote many of Bon Jovi’s greatest hits, including ‘Livin’ On A Prayer,’ ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’, and ‘Wanted Dead or Alive,’ said he no longer wished to be seen as a hired hand: “For the longest time, even now, I’m considered Jon Bon Jovi’s side arm, or something. Hey, I built this band, too,” he said.
 
Sambora also disused the backlash against him when it was announced he would be leaving the band to spend time with his 16-year-old daughter Ava: “It was an unpopular decision with the fans and the band, but sometimes a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do for his family. It certainly didn’t come down to money,” he said. “It’s something I needed to do for my family and myself.”
 
Sambora is currently on tour in Australia as part of the Soundwave Festival.
 
Stay tuned for further updates.