Phil X On Replacing Richie Sambora: Fans Were Brutal But I Had To Be A Rockstar

Phil X shared his experience replacing Richie Sambora in Bon Jovi during an interview with Chris Akin Presents.

“It was brutal in the beginning. You’re playing anywhere. I mean, it wasn’t a lot,” Phil X said. “It wasn’t as frequent as I expected, but people holding up signs saying ‘Where’s Richie?'”

“It doesn’t even graze you. You got to do your job, and you can’t let that distract you,” he continued. “You can’t get into your head about it because then you’ll just start screwing up and then it’ll be like ‘What what’s this guy even doing here you can’t even make it through the song without having a meltdown.'”

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“I don’t even give myself a chance to be nervous when people say ‘What was it like walking on your first gig with you know 50,000 people at the Jazz Fest in 2011?'” Phil X explained. “I just had to be a rockstar. I had to walk on stage with Bon Jovi. I’d been singing and playing my entire life, and it was just Bon Jovi songs. So I’m like, ‘Hey, this is just another day at the office, man go kill it.’ That’s the only thing that I thought about.”

Phil X’s journey with Bon Jovi began during a crucial transition period for the band.

People Magazine reported that Phil X took on this role following Richie Sambora’s unexpected exit during the 2013 Because We Can tour. This moment marked a significant change in the band’s history.

The transition created challenges for both Phil X and the band. Sambora addressed his departure in the Hulu docuseries ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.’ Entertainment Weekly noted that he expressed regret about his exit method while maintaining his decision to leave.

Jon Bon Jovi has spoken about this period in the band’s history. He acknowledged the special musical chemistry he shared with Sambora, especially during live performances. This dynamic made Phil X’s role even more challenging.

Phil X’s commitment and professionalism prevailed despite initial fan reactions. He became a permanent member of Bon Jovi and has contributed to multiple albums, helping to shape the band’s new era.