Richie Sambora

Richie Sambora is an American rock and hard rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Born Richard Stephen Sambora in 1959, he is best known as the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi, where he plays from 1983 until 2013. In the band, he also handles harmony and backing vocals and works closely with Jon Bon Jovi on songwriting, contributing to much of the group’s catalogue.

Early work and playing style

Sambora gets his first guitar at the age of 12 and develops a style shaped by players such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Joe Kmiecik. His playing is noted for speed, precision and a strong sense of melody, with solos that follow both the key and chord movement of a song. He is also one of the early mainstream rock guitarists of the 1980s to use the talk box, heard prominently on Bon Jovi songs such as “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “It’s My Life”.

Before Bon Jovi

Before joining Bon Jovi, Sambora plays in Message and records the independent album Lessons, made in Woodbridge, New Jersey and produced and arranged by Dean Fasano and Sambora. The record is copyrighted in 1982, then reissued later under the names Message and Lessons. He also performs with Mercy, a group signed to Swan Song Records, and with Duke Williams & the Extremes, who are signed to Capricorn Records. Earlier in his career, he plays an opening tour for Joe Cocker and unsuccessfully auditions for Kiss as a replacement for Ace Frehley. He also spends time in the improvisational club band Richie Sambora & Friends.

Bon Jovi years

Sambora joins Bon Jovi in 1983 and remains with the group until 2013. During the band’s 1980s breakthrough, his guitar work becomes central to songs such as “Wanted Dead or Alive” and “Livin’ on a Prayer”. Jon Bon Jovi initially does not think he is the right fit, but changes his view after working with him. Sambora’s blues influences later feed into Bon Jovi’s 1995 album These Days.

Solo work

Outside Bon Jovi, Sambora releases three solo albums. Stranger in This Town appears in 1991 as a blues-influenced record and features Eric Clapton. Undiscovered Soul follows in 1998 and is produced by Don Was. Aftermath of the Lowdown arrives in 2012. His solo work also includes songs for film soundtracks, including The Banger Sisters and On the Line.

Other projects and appearances

Sambora’s first recorded material comes from Shark Frenzy, an album recorded in 1978 and later released by Sanctuary Records in 2004 under the group’s name. He is also part-owner of a New Jersey club and, at 19, owns the independent label Dream Disc Records. He writes television theme music for Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, makes a cameo in On the Line as “The Mick”, and appears as himself on the Chris Isaak show.

Charity and other interests

Sambora is a shareholder in the Philadelphia Soul arena football team. He also supports fundraising efforts for charities including Dream Street, the Steve Young Foundation and Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s charity.