The Real Reason Richie Sambora Left Bon Jovi

The Bon Jovi lineup has remained surprisingly consistent over the years. That’s why it was so surprising when guitarist Richie Sambora left in 2013.
#RichieSambora #BonJovi #BreakUp
Voiceover By: Tim Bensch
Read Full Article: www.grunge.com/759368/why-richie-sambora-is-no-longer-in-bon-jovi/

[@GrungeHQ]

What is your favorite Bon Jovi song?

[@aleksandradjurdjevic9276]

I have 5 songs on equal no1 position: Bed of roses, Blaze of glory, Santa Fe, Dry county, It's my life

[@ClarVad]

Roller Coaster

[@Mark-ec9ck]

too many to say... Recently: Take Me, Come Back As Me, Rise, Making A History, Every Roads Leads Home To You (Sambora solo), Wedding Day, Livin' On A Prayer (BJ)

[@adiosamerica3948]

None. He's a left wing nut job.

[@kimzwolinski9919]

In and out of love

[@ajfedz]

Anytime you keep hearing, "There's no ill will" there is absolutely ill will.

[@the.communist]

Humans created hipocresy.

[@Sunnyday5276]

Yeah there is

[@gareth265]

Corporate cover up!

[@theunknown4570]

All things in eventually however. We should look back and be blessed that we got to receive both of their talents together. It was something very magical

[@robertchutonogbanua2564]

Actually, after watching the Hulu documentary, the main reason that Richie Sambora left the band was even more apparent. Consider this explanation from Richie: Richie: When I came back to the studio for the recording of "What About Now", I told them I was ready to record my parts. Jon: The album has already been recorded. Richie: Well, then let me hear it. Richie: After listening to the album, Richie proclaimed, "It doesn't sound like Bon Jovi". Jon: Why not? Richie: Because I'm not on it! Apparently, during Richie's absence, Jon and John Shanks (the producer) decided to record all of the guitar parts to move things forward. Apparently, this did not sit well with Richie, as he felt as though he had been replaced. So my take on this is that Richie felt like he was being replaced by John Shanks. Richie even said in the documentary that John Shanks is a great producer for "some", but he did not say Bon Jovi. Interesting.

[@songbird9978]

Richie was the lead guitarist, he was the needed piece to make Bon Jovi complete. Jon took him for granted. It's sad how narcissistic, egotistical and arrogant Jon could be, that he would ruin his own band. Disgusting.

[@rattandroll2010]

10000% correct. I agree totally with Richie. When he says it doesn't sound like Bon Jovi because he's not on it, he is correct. And it ended has been that way ever since.

[@rapsux]

You know it always floors me when people defend the person that decided to either quit the band, take an extended break from the band and then wonder why the band moves on without them. In Sambora's case, he was a raging alcoholic, prescription drug addict and there were rumors of heroin use and other drugs....probably cocaine would be my guess. He was in and out of rehab multiple times and the band put up with it. So the band obliged and told him to go get himself well, be with family, we understand but we're not going to stop and wait for you for years to get your head together. What's the band suppose to do, put themselves on hiatus as well?? I wouldn't, I'd continue to work and perform just like they did. Jon did nothing wrong here and it's BS when people give him flack about it.

[@denisecastleberry5724]

@@rapsuxyou really don’t know much about the situation, do you? Richie had been telling Jon that they needed to slow down but Jon wouldn’t listen. He almost killed them in their younger years by going on those 2 long extensive tours and they were younger back then. Jon had also promised the band some time off then went back on his word. Tico and Richie were both working on other things when he called them to come back. Jon didn’t care about that though; all he cared about was what he wanted. I know you Jon fans don’t want to admit Jon shouldn’t have done that and he always said “he encouraged the members to do other projects” but that was a lie just like everything else he said. He is better off without Jon because he can do it all-- sing, play, and write. Jon only knows the basics and his voice is shot.

[@songbird9978]

@@rapsux Jon would have been nothing without Richie and is nothing. It's just the way it goes with some bands. Like the Beatles, John and Paul would have been nothing without each other. Jon needs to stop with it was all him, because clearly it was not.

[@MrSheed92]

John Shanks that’s why. He cause a rift between Jon and Richie the same way Courtney Love caused a rift between Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl during the last days of Nirvana.

[@thomascope4248]

Truth is out. Glad this documentary is out. There was tension, Jon being honest? Nope

[@cef8156]

And how the hell do you know this? Ket me guess, social media?

[@a7x409]

​@@cef8156Richie told this in the new documentary. You should watch it.

[@bang4urbux888]

Shanks is a lame ass country peddling flop

[@tommigun102470]

​@cef8156 did you not see the new Hulu documentary? Richie says he always had input in an album. When What about now album came out, he had no input, Jon and John Shanks had written all the songs. I always knew it was Jon's ego and Shanks that created this split

[@craigmatthews5716]

Richie was already being given less and less prominence in the band, both on record and live. He released his 3rd solo album in late 2012 (his first in 14 years) and was on tour with it when Jon wanted to go back in the studio and make What About Now. Consequently he went ahead and wrote and recorded most of the album without Richie, using John Shanks to write the songs and play most of the guitar parts. I totally believe and understand that Richie must have felt massively disrespected by that. Then he had to go out and tour it with the band when he didn't even get time to properly promote and tour his own album, meanwhile there's a second guitarist on stage and Richie's guitar is very quiet in the mix and he's being pushed further and further into the background. When the band started they were all about the "Brotherhood". As time went by it was becoming more about Jon being the CEO of this corporation and the rest were just dispensable employees. I don't blame him for walking to be fair.

[@rattandroll2010]

Very very well said!

[@carlosraimitri]

Bon Jovi himself gave an interview these days, where he said that the guy no longer fulfilled his duties in the band, didn't go to rehearsals, was late for shows

[@louisg3598]

Jon disrespected Richie and it hurt him. Richie co-wrote so many of the songs. Their 2 voices together were the magic. Richie brought so much soul & blues to the band. He was not just a hired gun or employee yet it seems Jon treated him that way. Shanks is a good producer and writer but it's just too corporate and polished now. Having someone else do all of your guitar parts? That was a very clear message. Of course the CEO isn't going to say anything to tarnish the brand.

[@libsrcrazy9634]

Ritchie was an awesome guitarist and an amazing singer too.

[@songbird9978]

And songwriter, even though Jon won't give Richie his due.

[@user-rs3bd6se8u]

Почему был? Он что умер?Гитаристом он остаётся одним из лучших, думаю и вокал тоже

[@jimmalmstrom6593]

Fell off the wagon in LA, didn't make his flight to Calgary and refused to go to rehab again - the condition for his ticket back in. Not hard to piece this one together.

[@gareth265]

I bet he could drink Jon and the other band members including Shanks under the table!

[@a7x409]

I just finished the documentary. I always knew that it was Shanks and his lame production. I don't know what Jon sees in him. All the songs under his production sounds similar. Bounce was the last good sounding album.

[@bang4urbux888]

So farken true..Bounce was the last good album except for few other songs..have a nice day and possibly we weren't born to follow

[@flyboieblair6636]

And it’s not a good same either cause the only songs post 2011 I can tolerate are super derivative of older softer bon jovi stuff

[@jimmalmstrom6593]

Hard for bad songs to sound good.

[@bang4urbux888]

@jimmalmstrom6593 Shanks is a hack of songwriter..riding the last of Jon's coattails...enjoy the final hurrah 😀 🙄

[@afriend9428]

*No more “WOW! WOW! and U-where U-where!” in the songs any more!* 😢 🎵

[@fbomb7184]

He basically sings the whole “I’ll be there for you” song, and “Wanted!!!…” Dead or alive…

[@kevinkaatz883]

Band ain’t the same without Richie

[@rattandroll2010]

Amen, no 'rock' feel to it, no guitar solos.

[@leonardocatania6818]

band is not the same without Richie plan and simple...

[@barb316]

The thing with Richie the chorus with John’s vocals worked really well together.

[@thelolguy007]

Alcohol is the reason

[@frankhinterstocker7265]

Come on. The guy coked more than the whole of Columbia for fourty years & than slips over a diet beer?

[@kevinkhoy7171]

Oh Ya! That's all there is to do at the Hotel before & after the show! It catches up with you!

[@Mark-ec9ck]

only in YOUR case

[@Lollipop5358]

The reason for what?? They did more than being functional alcoholics..

[@bang4urbux888]

​@frankhinterstocker7265 Richie is a major coke freak..he used alcohol to wash it down..Jon couldn't put up with a junkie in the organisation...Richie was given an ultimatum to sober up or ship out...he took the high road

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

It's no secret, Richie was sick of touring his life away. The Stones slowed down, many established bands slow down with tours, bon Jovi didn't.

[@tbone1780]

I love living on a beer. great song.🤤

[@jerseytomato100]

Jeez what happened, he looks like Steven Tyler 😳

[@davidneraas750]

Runaway

[@hazor777]

He said “MAFIA” - that’s all you need to know

[@orlandoacosta2631]

I think there were reports that Jon replaced Tico on a few tracks in WAN as well ciz he wanted to get that album out and tour for it. He clearly got greedy and it shows in WAN sounding like some generic pop album

[@Malaysian_GenXer]

Somewhere in the multiverse, there’s a band called “Sambora”

[@kellywade8275]

👌🏾👌🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾👍🏾😂😂

[@flyboieblair6636]

Also there, everyone prefers Jon’s rendition of “Rosie”😂

[@michaeljohn-ve3xg]

What a Legend For the Family

[@gwendyguppy510]

the real reason its because he has issues with alcoholism, the documentary about that it isnt all the true. He didnt show up and later quit to go to rehab.

[@chrismatthews133]

Disagree...They were no longer a band..They were rented musicians...

[@kevinkhoy7171]

Tired of the Paisano Ego like John & Uncle Tony. Taking credit for songs they never wrote!

[@Pronetos]

There's not a whole lot to the Bon Jovi catalog without Desmond Child.

[@limey91111]

Richie had bigger problems , he had to get clean and sober , that’s why he left .

[@Mark-ec9ck]

odszedł by oddać swój czas dorastającej córce

[@bang4urbux888]

Richie loved the coke..dude has been on the bags for 4 decades

[@johnjaco5544]

And he had to keep an eye on his daughter Because mommy is a nut cake

[@j.dtruths5577]

Look , I’m going to give you ALL some insight and YES I WOULD KNOW ! Richie has been struggling with substance abuse , mainly alcoholism, it was really quite bad , Jon and the boys had urged him to get help again to get his life back on track more times then you can imagine , they LOVE HIM , it finally got so bad his life was truly in danger , tempers were raised , ultimatums were given , the boys ,his close friends , MANAGERS knew it was getting desperate the phone call he overdosed was around the corner ! Jon told Richie one last time things got quite heated Richie decided he had enough and he could live his own life and walked , no call , no letter , they didn’t even know if he died and they had a show that night , imagine how upset they were !!! You starting to see the picture ???? People are hard on Jon , he loves Richie more than any of you know and he kept his mouth shut for a long time protecting his friend they all have I think we should all give them the respect they deserve ! You have understand when your best friend and band mate goes to bed drunk and wakes up and is drunk again by 10 am it’s life or death ! Thankfully Richie is still here truly a blessing but it’s been 11 years Phil still shows up early and stays late and gives his all everyday and every time he steps on stage . What’s the future , don’t know , but pray 🙏 it’s not over !

[@bang4urbux888]

Your story mostly true except Richie is a heavy cocaine user...over 4 decades

[@j.dtruths5577]

@@bang4urbux888 yes , I know , just pray it’s not to late .

[@Wesley8Bit]

I applaud you for speaking the truth. Far too many people blame Jon without knowing the full details.

[@denisecastleberry5724]

How would you know? Just curious

[@bjtop10]

Richie had personal issues with drinking and family, which took a toll on him to keep up with Jon’s demanding schedule. When they were recording What About Now, Richie’s lateness made Jon decide that the producer John Shanks could hurry things up by recording and coming up with parts that would otherwise be Richie’s. This caused a lot of tension, Richie felt he was not needed or heard and probably was pivotal to his decision to quit in the middle of the album’s touring schedule.

[@officialWWM]

How the hell would you know? 😂😂

[@Mark-ec9ck]

dodatkowo wczesniej po kontuzji ręki prawie całą trasę musiał grać na sterydach, co uszkodziło mu rękę jeszcze bardziej. w końcu musiał zdecydować że zdrowie i życie ważniejsze niż zarabianie milionów i brak czasu dla córki

[@officialWWM]

@@Mark-ec9ck I don’t understand squiggly!

[@orlandoacosta2631]

​@@officialWWMit's in the documentary

[@bjtop10]

@@officialWWM 🤦‍♂

[@genesimmons3033]

SAY NO TO DRUGZ...PEOPLE... Don't Worry...PHIL X is Here PEOPLE

[@DWB7]

There is really a lot of ugly commenting on here For a Band That played 40 years. They had some great, classic songs and Jon and Richie were both good looking and sang together so well. I hope he can sing for One more tour. Richie can take Some of the leads too- they could mix it up and maybe have one big night show!!

[@gr5382]

Richie was tired of all the salt thrown by Jon Anchovy.

[@anthonylove821]

That’s so funny. I call Jon anchovie also. Smells like one also lol😂

[@bang4urbux888]

Jon couldn't stand for a junkie in the organisation especially when his daughter overdosed on herion...Dorothea instructed Jon to order Richie to sober up..the kent took the high road

[@anthonylove821]

@@bang4urbux888 not true. Jon’s done cocaine during his days with Bon Jovi especially in the 80s. It was in one of the Bon Jovi books. The only reason jon would probably follow through on what Dorothea said because of all the countless times he’s cheated on her. He was far from faithful to her.

[@bang4urbux888]

Richie was wasted on coke and needed rehab. The lame family excuse was a cover up to try and hide his extreme cocaine addiction

[@danmcgarrity1]

Richie was the real talent

[@Wesley8Bit]

Richie might have wrote the songs but Jon's voice made them iconic.

[@danmcgarrity1]

@@Wesley8Bit shame he can't sing anymore then isn't it lol

[@Castle743]

His ego was bruised

[@chrismatthews133]

The real reason is clear...Jon had 100% control and every angle figured out...Everyone was a rented musician at this point...No longer a band...John himself said this in a interview when they did a documentary on his house tour....When he was sitting in his home studio half way in interview,,,,

[@HavendaleBlvd80]

Party.. party.. party.. party..

[@user-vw1lz4pf6d]

I think at this point, BON JOVI HAS LEFT HIM

[@Shadowman-1960]

Richie Sambora was fired from Bon Jovi for disappearing on tour and not showing up for the concerts.

[@jonmacist]

Have you heard some of bonjovis latest work and alblums all slow songs and ballads, soft tone music anyone would leave.

[@smoggy1964]

Possible alcohol and drugs

[@bang4urbux888]

Pure cocaine

[@user-gg3ls5sd2m]

love him.. but simply.. his drug addiction got in the way

[@ge515]

Ritchie wants to rock not play wimpy somgs

[@officialWWM]

😂😂

[@Mark-ec9ck]

there aren't guitar solos in Bon Jovi's song NOW

[@CapoKabar]

@FunkyMonk6Because jonny wanted them.

[@the.communist]

@FunkyMonk6 bon jovis sound changed with the millenium.

[@officialWWM]

@@Mark-ec9ck there’s no guitar solos in any songs now!

[@richardmurphy9006]

Jon is a total Bell End

[@jameshealy4978]

I’m from NJ the real reason is he’s a bad drunk.

[@CapoKabar]

Pretty sure this documentary is the end of Bon Jovi. Jon’s up there in age now and his voice is shot. He cant sustain the singing anymore. I’ll miss them but they all deserve to retire. Its time

[@the.communist]

Will not miss them, started to not care for this band at the begining of the millenium

[@CapoKabar]

@@the.communist very true

[@Wesley8Bit]

Actually its not, New albums dropping in June and if Jon can get his vocal issues sorted out I very much look forward to more music from them.

[@CapoKabar]

@@Wesley8Bit That Doesnt mean it’s gonna go on. Jon knows its over if he wants to keep talking again.

[@mobscene416]

cuz jon the boss forgot this was a rock band and not a corporation of a contemporary pop band - shanks replaced richie and richie’s solos/guitars were limited on the new crappy poppy albums. RIchie is a true rock n rolla. yes he didnt get on the plane to calgary but there was/is a reason for it.

[@gareth265]

Exactly, Richi could drink all of them under the table and out play them on guitar also!

[@michaelmonthey5974]

There’s rumors that Jon is leaving the band too, so this could be the end of the band.

[@aleksandradjurdjevic9276]

Jon is owner of the band, so if he is leaving, there is no band any more, and I think that documentary is released to prepare us for that

[@Thebigm8283]

Jon is the only one with a record deal the rest of the band are his employees

[@the.communist]

Not big deal, The band as it was in the 80/90s finished at the begining of the millenium

[@justina9137]

Jon owns the band name Bon Jovi. He is the only one signed to the label. Call David Tico session musicians I guess even though they are the glue of the band. I'm excluding shanks cause he just.. sucks all around. There is no way in hell Jon would step aside and let someone else be the front man. If he can't cut it anymore then that's the end of it.

[@bang4urbux888]

​Everything after Bounce album except a few songs was utter rubbish

[@TheMauf]

Ooo ooo I know ……who gives a shit?

[@LaurieValdez-zk3dy]

❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@wernervanderwalt8541]

This video told me absolutely nothing. Just saying...

[@j.z.5539]

dozens of hits?.....lol

[@kelanders]

Without Sambora, it’s just another cover band.

[@Wesley8Bit]

Same can be said for Sambora playing the songs without Jon singing them.

[@officialWWM]

He needs to lay off the plastic surgery 😂 😂

[@user-df1lh8js4e]

Richie simply didn’t show up . I believe he needed to take time for himself and his family.

[@bang4urbux888]

The kent was strung out on coke...4 decade will do that...the family story was fabricated to protect their squeaky clean image... don't be fooled, Richie was ripping lines off the asshole of bare strippers

[@Sunnyday5276]

I think Richie had some issues as it was and it was the final straw going to the studio to do his guitar 🎸 parts and find out that Jon got that shanks to do them!! What was Jon thinking that must of hurt richie..He also said alex couldnt play bass yet alex did 5 albums then jon sacked him and replaced him with dave!! I starting to see jon in a different light, I wouldn't hold my breath if I was Jon on Richie ever coming back.The damage has been done..Such a shame cus together they sound amazing. RIP Alex

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

Jon can’t sing anymore so………..

[@ilovemickyandhelove1]

Compared to David Lee Roth and Vince Neil Jon sounds like Tony Bennett.

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

@@ilovemickyandhelove1 no it’s due to surgery not his talent

[@rustybear5125]

@@ilovemickyandhelove1 Maybe so, but he still sucks.

[@hazor777]

@@PlantandpeoplecarerThey’re DONE - learn to cope

[@Plantandpeoplecarer]

@@hazor777 hey since you can’t read, would you like me to explain my comment?

[@johnanderson3859]

Lol who cares 😢😢😢😢😢

[@declanhowley4679]

richie is bon jovi...after he left their music went downhill. jon is lost without him..

[@mattpatterson9128]

He left be cause he stole John's Aqua net, and lip stick. John got his panties in a bunch over this.?

[@gareth265]

*Lipstick

[@jenniferbrasuell5060]

Ritchie is the other pretty boy of the band that always had more songwriting and musical talent..his solo stuff is a testimony to that...guyliner can only take you so far Bon Jovi..in all fairness I was more into the bands they opened for like the Scorpions and Judas Priest

[@JuliusMas-bz6my]

Richie can play, but Jon can't sing.

[@antoniocalibur3481]

Since Jon is the leading vocalist, they could cook some instrumental stuff like yngwie's rising force😄

[@MsRocker961]

Yes this happens to a lot of vocalist as well age

[@ABritishBoyAndAFilipina]

Retire already! latest song is total crap

[@gareth265]

Blame that Shanks guy! Wikipedia said he worked with Take That!

[@nummynutz1]

Phil X is much better anyway

[@adiosamerica3948]

I was a Bon Jovi fan until I found out he donated his concert earnings to Hillary Clinton. Now I change the channel if any of his songs come on the radio. SELL OUT.

[@williambinions4205]

You must not have been much of a fan in the first place if something like that upset you that easily.

[@keithbuchanan8588]

@@williambinions4205 they just have a moral compas.

[@bluematrix5001]

YEP, Bon Jovi is a liberal sheep, always closed to the left elite that is now destroying America...... I do not care about Bon Jovi, what a sheep!

[@jackkelly4621]

Do you have any idea how hard it is to be a musician on tour. It’s impossible to predict just about anything. Bon Jovi’s greatest hits are awesome

[@adiosamerica3948]

@jackkelly4621 So being in a rock band turns you into a slave for the CDP(Communist Democratic Party)?

[@jimdellavecchia4594]

Because they were a terrible band with bad songs

[@gustavoherrera7864]

Bon Jovi was truly and is truly the shittiest band ever, lol.

[@ilovemickyandhelove1]

And being in a 💩 band made him rich…lol

[@rustybear5125]

@@ilovemickyandhelove1 So that makes him a rich guy in a shitty band.

[@ClarVad]

I’m sure the money he makes completely cancels out your dumb comment.

[@sangertx9077]

Richie is a hack! That’s not hate…it’s truth. Watch the KZbin videos where he’s playing live with Joe Bonamassa and Orianthi in a small club. If he was 10% as good as he appears to think he is, he would be 50% better than he is in reality.

[@Gordon-hx8cp]

Nothing against bon jovi i saw them live in the 80s just before they got big,but god knows how they managed to last so long,fair play to them

[@Steve-cw1zo]

Jon, always wanted to show Richie, I can do this without you.

[@Lollipop5358]

Overrated hair band that banked.

[@user-qe1qt7pk8m]

Bon Jovi sucks!

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

Bon jovi can’t fkn sing so why bother....?

[@darkenrahl5213]

Jon anchovi

[@James-bq2gp]

I was never fan of bon Jovi had couple decent early albums thats it