The Real Reason Richie Sambora Left Bon Jovi

The Bon Jovi lineup has remained surprisingly consistent over the years. That’s why it was so surprising when guitarist Richie Sambora left in 2013.

#RichieSambora #BonJovi #BreakUp

Voiceover By: Tim Bensch

[ajfedz]

Anytime you keep hearing, "There's no ill will" there is absolutely ill will.

[theunknown]

All things in eventually however. We should look back and be blessed that we got to receive both of their talents together. It was something very magical

[MrSheed]

John Shanks that’s why. He cause a rift between Jon and Richie the same way Courtney Love caused a rift between Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl during the last days of Nirvana.

[louisg]

Jon disrespected Richie and it hurt him. Richie co-wrote so many of the songs. Their 2 voices together were the magic. Richie brought so much soul & blues to the band. He was not just a hired gun or employee yet it seems Jon treated him that way. Shanks is a good producer and writer but it's just too corporate and polished now. Having someone else do all of your guitar parts? That was a very clear message. Of course the CEO isn't going to say anything to tarnish the brand.

[libsrcrazy]

Ritchie was an awesome guitarist and an amazing singer too.

[robertchutonogbanua]

Actually, after watching the Hulu documentary, the main reason that Richie Sambora left the band was even more apparent. Consider this explanation from Richie:

Richie: When I came back to the studio for the recording of "What About Now", I told them I was ready to record my parts.

Jon: The album has already been recorded.

Richie: Well, then let me hear it.

Richie: After listening to the album, Richie proclaimed, "It doesn't sound like Bon Jovi".

Jon: Why not?

Richie: Because I'm not on it!

Apparently, during Richie's absence, Jon and John Shanks (the producer) decided to record all of the guitar parts to move things forward. Apparently, this did not sit well with Richie, as he felt as though he had been replaced.

So my take on this is that Richie felt like he was being replaced by John Shanks. Richie even said in the documentary that John Shanks is a great producer for "some", but he did not say Bon Jovi.

Interesting.

[craigmatthews]

Richie was already being given less and less prominence in the band, both on record and live. He released his 3rd solo album in late 2012 (his first in 14 years) and was on tour with it when Jon wanted to go back in the studio and make What About Now. Consequently he went ahead and wrote and recorded most of the album without Richie, using John Shanks to write the songs and play most of the guitar parts. I totally believe and understand that Richie must have felt massively disrespected by that. Then he had to go out and tour it with the band when he didn't even get time to properly promote and tour his own album, meanwhile there's a second guitarist on stage and Richie's guitar is very quiet in the mix and he's being pushed further and further into the background. When the band started they were all about the "Brotherhood". As time went by it was becoming more about Jon being the CEO of this corporation and the rest were just dispensable employees. I don't blame him for walking to be fair.

[afriend]

*No more “WOW! WOW! and U-where U-where!” in the songs any more!* 😢 🎵

[jimmalmstrom]

Fell off the wagon in LA, didn't make his flight to Calgary and refused to go to rehab again - the condition for his ticket back in. Not hard to piece this one together.

[hawtmess]

I felt like a kid whose parents got divorced when they broke up. Richie is a major part of their legendary status. I was hoping for 1 more album or tour for the fans, but Jons voice will now prevent that from happening. I hope he heals soon.

[qreecpy]

It's no secret, Richie was sick of touring his life away. The Stones slowed down, many established bands slow down with tours, bon Jovi didn't.

[ax]

I just finished the documentary. I always knew that it was Shanks and his lame production. I don't know what Jon sees in him. All the songs under his production sounds similar.
Bounce was the last good sounding album.

[suehaynie]

We all know Richie, you play guitar and wrote with Jon the songs!! Live your best life because we all know Jon is!!!

[j.dtruths]

Look, I’m going to give you ALL some insight and YES I WOULD KNOW ! Richie has been struggling with substance abuse, mainly alcoholism, it was really quite bad, Jon and the boys had urged him to get help again to get his life back on track more times then you can imagine, they LOVE HIM, it finally got so bad his life was truly in danger, tempers were raised, ultimatums were given, the boys, his close friends, MANAGERS knew it was getting desperate the phone call he overdosed was around the corner ! Jon told Richie one last time things got quite heated Richie decided he had enough and he could live his own life and walked, no call, no letter, they didn’t even know if he died and they had a show that night, imagine how upset they were !!! You starting to see the picture ???? People are hard on Jon, he loves Richie more than any of you know and he kept his mouth shut for a long time protecting his friend they all have I think we should all give them the respect they deserve ! You have understand when your best friend and band mate goes to bed drunk and wakes up and is drunk again by 10 am it’s life or death ! Thankfully Richie is still here truly a blessing but it’s been 11 years Phil still shows up early and stays late and gives his all everyday and every time he steps on stage . What’s the future, don’t know, but pray 🙏 it’s not over !

[BayviewProperties-xj]

He seems to think we have forgotten he co wrote songs with Jon. From their early days till now, its been something he wants ingrained in our consciousness. Strangely enough as a solo artist, success has eluded him, guess his abilities comes to light when he works with Jon.

[bjtop]

Richie had personal issues with drinking and family, which took a toll on him to keep up with Jon’s demanding schedule.
When they were recording What About Now, Richie’s lateness made Jon decide that the producer John Shanks could hurry things up by recording and coming up with parts that would otherwise be Richie’s. This caused a lot of tension, Richie felt he was not needed or heard and probably was pivotal to his decision to quit in the middle of the album’s touring schedule.

[chrismatthews]

The real reason is clear...Jon had 100% control and every angle figured out...Everyone was a rented musician at this point...No longer a band...John himself said this in a interview when they did a documentary on his house tour....When he was sitting in his home studio half way in interview, , , ,

[hazor]

He said “MAFIA” - that’s all you need to know

[barb]

The thing with Richie the chorus with John’s vocals worked really well together.

[carlosraimitri]

Bon Jovi himself gave an interview these days, where he said that the guy no longer fulfilled his duties in the band, didn't go to rehearsals, was late for shows