Richie Sambora not coming back

[That 70s Guy]

ultimateclassicrock.com



More bad news for Richie Sambora fans. Bon Jovi recently revealed that the guitarist will be sitting out the upcoming European and South African legs of their current ‘Because We Can’ tour, which kicks off on May 7.

The official Bon Jovi website broke the news with a message that said: “Due to a personal matter, Richie Sambora will not be performing on the European and South African leg of the tour. All shows will go on as scheduled.”

Fans and anonymous sources have been speculating about Sambora’s untimely departure since he left the tour shortly after the start of the North American run in early April. Sambora himself though has been very quiet about the details, only recently taking the time to reach out to his fans on Twitter, saying, “Hey everybody… Just want you all to know I’m all good… Thanks for all the positive vibes.”

Some consolation though, Jon Bon Jovi went on record on the Ellen DeGeneres show confirming that Sambora is still very much a part of the band, explaining, “Okay…well…all I can say is that, honest to God, it’s a personal matter, but we love him very much and he’s absolutely still a member of the band.”

Bon Jovi will return to the States to finish up the U.S. dates in July.

 

[TheSound]

He's integral to that band, personally he's the main reason I like the band, Bon Jovi's voice I can take it or leave it, this isn't good at all, lots of fans with tickets not going to like this, but he needs to do what he needs to do, he's entitled to a private life if there's things he needs to work out, just hope it's not related to his historic subtance abuse issues.

 

[LG]

Could be any number of things that fall under "personal matter"...hopefully it's not drug/alcohol abuse.

You know sometimes people just hit a brick wall and don't want to tour anymore, it's happened many times over the decades. Rock and Roll might be a lifestyle that millions of people envy, but being on the road and away from your family for months at a time is as hard as it gets.

 

[TheSound]

It's confusingly unclear whether he will be back for the few remaining US dates of the tour after Europe, which are in July, and include two nights at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (or Giants Stadium as it is better known) and for which we have tickets. I hope he gets well, or deals with whatever his problem is, but Sambora for me and many others is about as good a guitarist as there is out there, and his style of playing is fundamental to the Bon Jovi sound, you can get away with stand-in drummers and keyboards and even bass guitarists, but lead guitar is another matter in many bands, so for all me wanting him to get past his problems, I really don't want to be watching some unknown session musician beard standing in for him.

 

[Khor1255]

'beard' That is a perfect description of such a job.

 

[That 70s Guy]

Phil X formerly of Triumph is filling in.

 

[TheSound]

Phil X formerly of Triumph is filling in.

That makes sense, Phil X filled in for Sambora when he went into rehab and missed part of a tour a couple of years ago, so I assume he must have done a great job, and fits in.

 

[LG]

Phil X formerly of Triumph is filling in.

You talking about Rik Emmett's Triumph 70's G?

Sambora talking a break brings to mind Malcolm Young of ACDC. Years ago he told Angus he needed a hiatus to get his drinking under control, or he was going to end up like Bon Scott. So he did take time off and came back when he was ready to perform again.

 

[That 70s Guy]

Yeah he replaced Rik Emmett in Triumph in the early 90's.