Phil X recently addressed speculation about tension between him and former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. He clarified their relationship in an interview with Guitar Player.
Phil X replaced Sambora in Bon Jovi following his departure from the band. He spoke about how outsiders perceive their dynamic and his approach to playing iconic solos.
“It’s funny how outsiders look at the situation with me and Richie,” Phil X said. “We played at the fundraiser for the first responders to the L.A. fires in early 2025, and people were like, ‘They’re friends?!’ It’s like, ‘Yeah… and we’re adults.'”
Phil X also reflected on his first meeting with Sambora and his philosophy when performing the band’s classic material.
“I first met Richie in 2018 when we played Bon Jovi’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and there were a couple of rehearsals before that,” he continued. “Now, if you’re playing an iconic guitar solo, like ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’ or ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ you do not want to deviate from those solos. They’re legendary. But sometimes, when you see Richie play live, he will do something else, and go off the map, and do his thing. I registered that he could do that because he invented it.”
“To me, if you’re going to fill in for a band member from the OG lineup, it’s about respecting the band and the player, as well as the fans, because there’s something they need to hear every night, and it’s your job to deliver it,” Phil X explained.
The recent collaboration between the two guitarists highlights their professional relationship. This relationship has evolved over more than a decade of shared history within the Bon Jovi organization.
Wikipedia reported that Phil X first began substituting for Sambora in 2011 during various tours before officially joining Bon Jovi as lead guitarist in 2016. The transition came after Sambora’s departure from the band. This created a unique situation where both guitarists maintained connections to the same iconic songs and fanbase.
The L.A. fires benefit concert revealed the behind-the-scenes coordination required for their collaboration. Guitar World noted that organizers initially hesitated about pairing the two guitarists. They called Phil X days before the event to ask if it would be acceptable for Sambora to join him on stage for “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
“Hey, so Richie wants to come out and play Livin’ on a Prayer… is that going to be okay?” the organizers asked. Phil X replied, “We’re both adults. Yeah… it’ll be okay. It’ll be fun.”
The performance itself became a memorable moment for Phil X. He supported Sambora during the song after rehearsing together the day prior alongside guitarist Orianthi. Guitar Player documented that Phil X later reflected on the experience, saying, “Man, we were buds before and after… Sometimes, I had to sit back and go, ‘Holy shit. Is this really happening?'”
The collaboration demonstrates how both musicians have navigated the complex dynamics of Phil X stepping into Sambora’s role. They have maintained mutual respect for each other’s contributions to Bon Jovi’s legacy.
