Richie Sambora Bails Bon Jovi Tour: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Richie Samboraissues

The Bon Jovi world tour will go on, but without lead guitarist Richie Sambora, for perhaps the rest of the tour. The Edmonton Journal reported that Richie Sambora would not be participating in the middle of the Because We Can Tour due to personal issues. Here are some quick facts you need to know about the status of Bon Jovi’s Tour.


1. The Band Broke the News on Their Website

Bon Jovi first broke the news on their site with a statement saying, “Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg.  All shows will go on as scheduled.” According to TMZ, the reason behind Richie bailing on the tour could have more to do with money than personal matters after lead singer Jon and Richie possibly had a disagreement.

Bon Jovi Statement


2. Fans Noticed Richie’s Absence During the Band’s Stop in Calgary

Job Bon Jovi

It wasn’t until Bon Jovi was up on stage at Calgary, Canada, that fans noticed Sambora was missing. Jon delivered the news to his fans before the band started performing on stage. He told the crowd, “I had two choices: pack up and go home or give you everything I got … Richie Sambora won’t be performing for a while. If there’s ever a night I need you, it’s tonight, Calgary!”


3. The Band Compensated for Richie’s Absence with a Charitable Donation

Bon Jovi Gives Donation

Twitter user Mookalicious wrote that Bon Jovi made up for Richie Sambora’s absence by donating $100,000 to the Calgary homeless shelter. “Richie bailed for personal reasons. To make it up, BJ donates $100,000 to #yyc [airport code for Alberta area] shelter,” Mookalicious tweeted.

Mookie's Twitter


4. It’s Unclear Whether Richie Will Return

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi

Right now it is unknown whether Sambora will return to the Because We Can Tour, especially before the band performs in his hometown of Los Angeles. The tour, which began in February, will end in October in Connecticut. There has been no news of substance abuse or alcohol as Sambora’s reason for leaving the tour. Sambora had substance problems in the past but has been clean.


5. Richie Was Promoting His New Album

Aftermath of the Lowdown

Before leaving the tour, Sambora was hard at work promoting his latest album, Aftermath of the Lowdown, which released in September 2012. His band made an appearance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson last December to promote the album. It marks Richie’s third album in his solo career after his debut, Stranger in Town, and his 1998 record Undiscovered Soul.

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