Jon Bon Jovi shared his position on whether his former bandmate Richie Sambora might join the band during its upcoming tour, speaking on ABC 7 Chicago. The frontman explained that Sambora left the group more than a decade ago.
The interviewer asked whether Sambora might make an appearance during this tour or a future one.
Question: “Wow, that’s powerful to hear that. You know, everybody wants to know if Richie Sambora will make an appearance during the tour. Will it be this tour? Will it be the next one?”
“You know, unfortunately, and with all the love in my heart, he walked away from this and touring 13 years ago,” Jon Bon Jovi said.
“I’ve seen him, obviously, we’ve spoken, but no, unfortunately, he left the band many, many years ago.”
The comments were made in the context of Bon Jovi’s upcoming tour schedule. The band has moved forward with other guitarists since Sambora’s departure.
Richie Sambora departed Bon Jovi on April 2, 2013, shortly before the band was set to perform at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. The band announced at the time that Sambora would not be performing due to personal issues. In a November 2013 interview with Australia’s Today show, Sambora said he wanted to spend more time with his then-15-year-old daughter, Ava. Bon Jovi continued touring with former Triumph guitarist Phil X as a temporary replacement. Phil X became a full-time member in 2016.
Sambora’s departure created tension between him and Jon Bon Jovi. The frontman later expressed feeling “heartbroken” by how Sambora left, explaining: “My heartbreak with him is the way he walked out on us, compounded by the fact that it took him years to come back in the room just to have a meal with Tico (Torres, drummer) and David (Bryan, keyboardist) and I and say, ‘I’m sorry.'”
In April 2024, Sambora made an apology in the Hulu documentary “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.” He said he regretted how he left the situation and apologized to fans and his former bandmates. Jon Bon Jovi viewed the apology positively, saying it would end speculation about the reasons for Sambora’s departure.
Bon Jovi’s 2026 summer tour marks their return after a four-year break due to vocal issues. The tour includes a nine-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York City in July, followed by shows in Edinburgh, Dublin, and London in August and September. Despite Sambora’s public apology, Jon Bon Jovi’s recent comments make clear that the guitarist will not be joining the band for these performances.
