Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora issued a statement to clarify his recent remarks about his former band and Jon Bon Jovi. Sambora had previously revealed that there is no brotherhood left between him and Jon Bon Jovi following what he described as actions taken against him.
In his statement, Sambora sought to distance himself from negative commentary circulating online and expressed gratitude for his time with the band.
“Hey guys. I wanna thank you for your support,” Sambora said. “The stuff people that are negatively commenting on are not coming from me.”
The guitarist went on to reflect on the legacy of Bon Jovi and his role in the band’s success over more than three decades.
“The impact, hard work, and songs that moved the planet, I couldn’t have more gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of,” he continued. “Why would I spend 32 years in this band and that beat the odds, and got pretty big and blaspheme the situation.”
Sambora closed his statement on a positive note, emphasizing pride in his contributions to the band’s music.
“I’m proud of it,” he said. “And thankful for the opportunity to entertain you, and the songs made you happy. Thank you again.”
The statement came after Sambora publicly revealed that his sense of brotherhood with Jon Bon Jovi had come to an end, as shared on his X (Twitter) account. No further response from Jon Bon Jovi has been reported at this time. The latest remarks mark a significant shift in how Sambora has spoken about his time with the band, adding a new layer of tension to a relationship that has been complicated for over a decade.
Sambora left Bon Jovi in 2013 during the Because We Can tour. His departure at the time was tied to personal and family reasons and was largely described as amicable by both sides. He had been a cornerstone of the band’s sound for more than three decades, co-writing many of their biggest hits and serving as lead guitarist throughout their rise to global fame.
The two briefly reunited in 2018 when Sambora walked onto the stage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to perform with the band for the first time in six years. That reunion now appears to stand as the last time the two shared a stage together.
Since leaving Bon Jovi, Sambora has maintained a presence in music on his own terms. He previously released two solo albums — Stranger in This Town in 1991 and Undiscovered Soul in 1998. Both records demonstrated his range as a songwriter and performer beyond the Bon Jovi framework.
The current situation represents a stark contrast to the image of reconciliation that the 2018 Hall of Fame performance projected. The close bond the two men built over more than three decades no longer exists.
