Bon Jovi fans have been wondering for years if guitarist Richie Sambora will ever return to the band. Rumors of a reunion came and gone after his departure in 2013. The talk of Sambora coming back picked up again in 2024, but nothing official has happened. Here’s what’s really going on.
Bon Jovi’s Recent Music and Documentary
Bon Jovi has been busy despite Sambora’s absence. The band recorded their latest album, ‘Forever,’ in Nashville, releasing it on June 7, 2024. They dropped three singles leading up to the album:
- ‘Legendary’ (March 14, 2024)
- ‘Living Proof’ (May 17, 2024)
- ‘Christmas Isn’t Christmas’ (November 17, 2023)
At the same time, they released a four-part documentary, ‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,’ on Hulu and Disney+ in April 2024. The documentary covers the band’s entire history, including interviews with members, past and present. Sambora participated, but he and Jon Bon Jovi did not communicate during the making of the series.
Jon Bon Jovi’s Stance on a Reunion
Jon Bon Jovi said there’s no bad blood between him and Sambora, but he also made it clear that Richie left on his own terms in 2013.
- March 2024: In an interview, Jon said the ‘door is always open’ if Sambora wants to play again.
- May 2024: Jon dismissed rumors of a reunion, saying, “He quit. And he hasn’t made any great overtures about coming back.”
Jon isn’t shutting down the idea, but he’s also not making an effort to reach out to Richie directly.
Richie Sambora’s Changing Statements
Sambora has sent mixed signals about returning to Bon Jovi.
- November 2022: He hinted at playing with Bon Jovi at Glastonbury Festival, but it never happened.
- February 2023 & 2024: He said there were talks about a reunion.
- June 2023: He completely denied it, saying, “Naaaah! No, not even close. Nobody asked me yet.”
- November 2023: He told People Magazine a reunion “could definitely happen.”
- March 2024: He said, “It’s just a question of when everybody’s ready.”
- November 2024: He set a condition for returning — Jon’s voice must improve first.
Sambora also said that if Bon Jovi wants him back, he’d expect to write new music with the band instead of just playing old songs.
Jon Bon Jovi’s Vocal Issues Could Affect a Reunion
One of the biggest challenges facing a possible reunion is Jon Bon Jovi’s voice.
- Jon had vocal surgery two years ago and is still recovering.
- In 2024, he admitted that he can’t tour yet and that his voice still isn’t back to full strength.
- Sambora suggested he wouldn’t return unless Jon’s voice improves.
Jon has been working with vocal coaches and going through therapy, but he says it’s a slow process.
The Last Time Sambora Played with Bon Jovi
Richie Sambora hasn’t played a full show with Bon Jovi since leaving in 2013, but he did join them on stage once:
- 2018: Sambora performed at Bon Jovi’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
- 2024: There were rumors that Sambora would reunite with Bon Jovi at the MusiCares event in Los Angeles, but nothing happened.
Why Did Richie Sambora Leave in 2013?
Sambora explained his departure in several interviews:
- Personal reasons: He wanted to spend more time with his daughter.
- Substance abuse issues: He struggled with alcohol and prescription drugs.
- Creative differences: He felt Bon Jovi became more about Jon as the frontman rather than a full band.
Jon said that Sambora’s choices led him away from the band, but Richie insists he has no regrets about leaving — only about how he did it.
Will a Reunion Ever Happen?
Right now, there’s no official plan for Richie Sambora to return to Bon Jovi.
- Jon Bon Jovi says Richie left by choice and hasn’t made a serious effort to return.
- Sambora keeps changing his stance, sometimes saying he’s open to it and other times acting uninterested.
- Jon’s voice struggles could make a full tour impossible in the near future.
Fans may still hope for a reunion, but it doesn’t seem likely anytime soon.
