It’s been 11 years since Richie Sambora abruptly left Bon Jovi, but Jon Bon Jovi has no hard feelings toward his former bandmate.
While promoting the upcoming Hulu docuseries “Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” the Bon Jovi frontman opened up about his relationship with Sambora today and explained why there’s “no bad blood” between the two.
Bon Jovi told Entertainment Tonight about Sambora’s sudden departure from the band in April 2013: “There was never a fight. It was never about money, it was never about girlfriends. He had issues … and he really didn’t show up. We’re playing in front of 20,000 people and there’s a black hole on the stage.”
JON BON JOVI ON WHAT HE’S MOST PROUD OF IN HIS 40-YEAR MUSIC CAREER: ‘IT’S AFTER THE WORDS’
Jon Bon Jovi, left, and Richie Sambora watch the new Bon Jovi docuseries together. (Getty Images)
“Substance abuse, anxiety, raising a child alone, all of that weighed on him, losing his father. Those were all very difficult things,” Bon Jovi added. “But in all fairness, why would I take away the livelihood of not only the band but also the 120 people who were in the band? Or the millions of people who bought tickets? What am I going to do? Turn it off because you don’t want to go to rehab?”
Hours before Bon Jovi was set to play a show in Calgary, Sambora didn’t show up — leaving Canadian musician Phil X to step in. Phil X became the band’s official lead guitarist in 2016.
During a Q&A at the band’s documentary screening in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Bon Jovi explained further why he feels “lucky” to share so many memories with Sambora.
Bon Jovi lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, right, shares that he and former bandmate Richie Sambora “have no contact.” (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
“He would rather be home than out on the road, but you have to go to work,” Bon Jovi told People. “So there’s no animosity. A big part of my story for three of the four chapters is my right-hand man, being asked to join my band, and I was lucky enough to meet him. But life goes on.”
“When he left the band, that stopped because he left the band. So I don’t have any animosity,” he continued. “Unfortunately, rock and roll isn’t a life sentence. And I respect the idea that he wanted to stay home and raise his daughter. It’s unfortunate for us and for the world, but I’m not mad about it.”
Although Bon Jovi previously said he and Sambora weren’t in touch during production of the docuseries, the musician told ET that the duo actually watched the first three episodes of the documentary together, further explaining how time played a key role in healing the wounds of their relationship.
Richie Sambora eventually left Bon Jovi to focus on his family. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
“You read, you talk to experts, you sit with yourself, you learn to understand from a different perspective that his choices were not out of spite either,” he told the outlet.
“I have very few regrets. Mistakes are part of life and part of the journey,” he added. “Also not having creative control over the editing, not really wanting to be a little bit ridiculous, giving the director and the producers the opportunity to create this film… When I look at some of the things that were said and I may not agree with them, I would never argue with them. Because that’s your truth.”
The docuseries will also cover Bon Jovi’s health journey as he recovers from vocal cord reconstruction
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Jon Bon Jovi has a “desire” to tour while he recovers from vocal cord surgery. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
“Every day, I’m working hard,” Bon Jovi told ET. “Nothing matters until I get better. At this point, it’s up to God. I’ve done everything I can.”
During Hulu’s panel discussion of the documentary series at the Television Critics Association in February, the singer opened up about his surgery and revealed that one of his vocal cords had “shrunken” at the time, according to People.
“So the strong one pushed the weak one aside and I wasn’t singing well,” said Bon Jovi, who described one vocal cord as “thick as a thumb” and the other as “thick as a pinky.” He added, “My career was taken away.”
Jon Bon Jovi visits the Empire State Building on September 15, 2023 in New York City. (John Nacion/Getty Images)
“But like I said in the movie and in future episodes, if I get my instruments back, then the rest I can handle,” he said. “I can write you a song, I can perform as well as anybody. But I need to get my instruments back.” about his health.
In March, Bon Jovi spoke to Boston radio station Mix 104.1 to discuss the band’s upcoming album, “Forever,” and give fans an update on an upcoming tour.
“I don’t know about a tour,” Bon Jovi said. “I’d love to do a tour next year, but I’m still recovering from a major surgery.”