Richie Sambora, former guitarist of Bon Jovi, has shared a candid and emotional update about his relationship with Jon Bon Jovi. He revealed that the bond between them has significantly deteriorated.
The update came as fans reached out to Sambora directly, asking about the current state of his relationship with his former bandmate. When a fan asked whether he would still consider Jon Bon Jovi a brother, Sambora did not hold back.
“Would you still class Jon as your brother? I know you never fell out or had a fight but there still has to be love there with both of you,” the fan asked.
Sambora responded with a frank and somber reply, making it clear that the brotherhood he once shared with Jon is no longer intact.
“Unfortunately not. … You had me for 32 years.. don’t like me now and my music no worries. No one likes everyone. I’ll wait to tell the truth,” Sambora said.
In a separate exchange, another fan expressed their unwavering support for the guitarist, saying: “Richie….you know how much your fans adore you, love you & always have your back….forever. You are absolutely amazing.”
Sambora’s response hinted at a deeper frustration, suggesting that public perception has long favored Jon Bon Jovi over his own contributions to the band.
“Unfortunately I don’t.. they think Jon did everything,” he replied.
The comments mark one of Sambora’s most direct public statements regarding his estrangement from Jon Bon Jovi following his departure from the band after 32 years together.
To understand the weight of these words, it helps to look back at how the split unfolded and what has followed in the years since.
Sambora departed Bon Jovi in 2013, citing personal reasons and stating that he needed to prioritize his family, particularly his daughter Ava. The exit was framed publicly as amicable, but it marked a definitive turning point for one of rock’s most celebrated partnerships.
His departure came mid-tour, and he did not return for the remainder of the 2013 run. The abrupt nature of his exit left fans and industry observers questioning the true circumstances behind the split, a question that has lingered ever since.
In the years that followed, Sambora maintained that he remained on speaking terms with Jon Bon Jovi, though the relationship was no longer close. His recent comments suggest the distance between them has grown far beyond what he had previously let on publicly. They also signal a shift in tone that is notably more final than anything he has said before.
Sambora co-wrote some of the band’s most iconic songs and was a defining voice in their sound for over three decades. His sense that credit has been unfairly distributed speaks to a grievance that has clearly gone unaddressed for years.
