Richie Sambora shared his first social media post after his former bandmate Jon Bon Jovi’s comments about the possibility of him joining Bon Jovi on their upcoming tour went viral, as Jon revealed that there are zero plans about his appearance.
Richie Sambora wrote: “Thank you all for listening.. ya know every time I write, record, or play live..It’s for my fans. It wouldn’t be no fun without you all..Sincere gratitude.. RS.”
A Richie Sambora fan commented on his post: “I have seen that Interview where Jon was asked if you coming back to the band. And his face didn’t look like he is interested in. I am so disappointed and sad that he doesn’t look like he wants u back. He always is saying that there was no fight.”
Jon Bon Jovi recently said about Richie Sambora: “You know, unfortunately, and with all the love in my heart, he walked away from this and touring 13 years ago. I’ve seen him, obviously, we’ve spoken, but no, unfortunately, he left the band many, many years ago.”
The exchange reflects a split that has now stretched across more than a decade, and it follows a long record of statements from both musicians about how and why the guitarist left the group. Sambora’s message stays focused on his own audience rather than the band, which matches his public position since he stepped away from Bon Jovi.
Sambora left Bon Jovi during the band’s 2013 Because We Can tour, shortly before a scheduled concert in Calgary. At the time, the departure was described as a personal decision, while later accounts linked it to family responsibilities and the pressures of touring. Sambora said his exit resulted from an “amalgamation” of problems, including “deep family problems,” and he explained, “She needed me and I needed her, truthfully, we didn’t have enough time.”
Sambora later acknowledged that the abrupt departure caused frustration among fans and bandmates. In an interview, he said, “I don’t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it,” before apologizing to the fans and the band. He added that “my feet and my spirit were just not letting me walk out the door.”
Despite the split, Sambora reunited with Bon Jovi at the band’s 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. It was his first performance with the group since 2013. The set included “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It’s My Life,” “When We Were Us” and “Livin’ on a Prayer,” while current guitarist Phil X also performed.
Phil X subsequently remained associated with Bon Jovi in Sambora’s place. Phil X replaced Sambora on the What About Now touring cycle after Sambora stepped away in 2013, and his continued role has made him the guitarist most closely identified with Bon Jovi’s post-Sambora touring lineup.
