At 63, Jon Bon Jovi FINALLY Opens Up About Richie Sambora  Shocking Confession, Emotional Truths, And The Heartbreaking Story Behind Bon Jovi’s Most Painful Split

After a decade of silence and endless speculation, Jon Bon Jovi has finally broken his silence — and his SHOCKING words about Richie Sambora have left fans in tears. At 63, the rock icon opened up about the emotional toll of losing his brother-in-arms, revealing the heartbreak, regret, and unspoken love that still lingers years after their split. Behind the fame, the fortune, and the anthems that defined a generation, there was a friendship that burned too bright — and ultimately broke under the weight of success. Was it creative tension, personal demons, or something deeper that tore them apart? Either way, Jon’s raw honesty proves that even rock legends can’t escape the pain of saying goodbye During a conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock’s Matt Wardlaw, Bon Jovi discussed the band’s upcoming docuseries Thank You, Goodnight. New interview footage with Sambora is used throughout the series, yet Bon Jovi revealed he was not involved with the estranged guitarist’s contribution.

“Not a word,” the singer responded when asked if he had any conversation with Sambora regarding the documentary. “This wasn’t a puff piece and this was no bullshit. This is not us behind the scenes pulling strings. Oh, no, no, no. They interviewed Richie in London, I wasn’t there. I had nothing to do with it.”

‘He’s Not in the Organization Any Longer’

“We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organization any longer,” the singer explained. “Doesn’t mean that there’s not love forever, but it’s 11 years ago that he just didn’t show up anymore.”

It was April 2, 2013 when Sambora abruptly left the band. He’d later explain that the decision was due to a desire to spend more time with his daughter. Regardless, Bon Jovi was left scrambling, and called on former Triumph guitarist Phil X to fill Sambora’s shoes.

“There were emotional issues that he was dealing with as a single dad, and there were substance abuse issues,” Bon Jovi recalled. “Phil X had to show up one time, and then Phil X had to show up another time. And so again, there’s a show that night. What are we going to do? And fortunately for me, I had another guy there for those instances, because I was very aware of it. And me and (touring member) Bobby Bandiera played, and I called Phil and I said, ‘If you still have that notebook, there’s a plane on the runway.’ And he said, ‘Oh, I got it.’ And I thought, ‘I don’t even have to cancel the show.’ And until, you know, we figure it out. Could be a day, could be a week, I said to Phil, ‘Come on out.’ And it’s been 11 years.”

Bon Jovi’s new album, Forever, is due out June 7. It is the band’s third album to feature Phil X on lead guitar.

10 Best Hard Rock Albums of 1984

From guitar virtuosos to American actors spoofing a British metal band. Here is a look at the best hard rock albums of 1984.

Gallery Credit: Rob Carroll

10. Bon Jovi, Bon Jovi

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10. Bon Jovi, ‘Bon Jovi’

The self-titled debut from Bon Jovi set the foundation for what would become mega-stardom for the band. While Slippery When Wet was the album that blasted the band into the stratosphere, they likely don’t reach that point without their 1984 release.

Bon Jovi gives listeners a strong whiff of glam metal mixed with soaring vocals. Lead single “Runaway” is the ideal track to blast with the windows down in your Chevy Cavalier with the wind tussling with your freshly teased hair.

9. Spinal Tap, This Is Spinal Tap

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9. Spinal Tap, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer could have just stopped with what they gave audiences with their on-screen performance during This Is Spinal Tap. The wit, improvisation and absurdity of the movie’s characters made it an instant cult classic.

The trio took their roles a step further producing and recording the movie’s soundtrack. With the music being so expertly woven into the movie, the soundtrack instantly takes you back to your favorite scenes.

You try listening to “Stonehenge” without imagining a tiny model being lowered from the ceiling.

8. Deep Purple, Perfect Strangers

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8. Deep Purple, ‘Perfect Strangers’

Deep Purple’s first album in nine years and also brought back familiar faces for the first time in several years with Ian Gillan returning from Black Sabbath and Ritchie Blackmore coming out from under the ashes of the now-defunct Rainbow.

Blackmore’s guitar in the opener “Knocking at Your Back Door” is a welcome distraction from the cheeky lyrics and innuendo. The album’s title track also won over listeners and several bands that have covered the title including Dream Theater, Yob and Dimmu Borgir.

7. Billy Idol, Rebel Yell

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7. Billy Idol, ‘Rebel Yell’

Billy Idol’s 1982 debut is more remembered for its singles while his follow-up two years later, Rebel Yell, is a more cohesive endeavor.

Here, Idol blends punk attitude with new wave vibes in a variety of ways. Listeners are taken on a roller coaster with the highs of the title track and the lows of the chilled out “Eyes Without a Face.”

Idol finally brings it down for a soft landing adding crooner vocals to the closer, “The Dead Next Door.”

6. Rush, Grace Under Pressure

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6. Rush, ‘Grace Under Pressure’

While some may accuse Rush of succumbing to the the sounds of the time, Grace Under Pressure actually turned out to be one of the band’s more accessible albums. The trio stepped away from long-time producer Terry Brown en route to streamlining their sound on this one.

The more distinctive elements of Rush (Geddy Lee’s vocals, Neil Peart’s drums) are reigned in without being totally dialed back. And while there may be a lot more synth than usual in its songs, Grace Under Pressure is Rush taking their listeners on a comfortable ride.

5. The Replacements, Let It Be

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5. The Replacements, ‘Let It Be’

The Replacements grew their sound tremendously on Let It Be. Gone (but not totally forgotten) is the Minneapolis-based band’s straight-ahead punk sound. They draw things out on “Androgynous.” Paul Westerberg’s vocals sound like he is barely holding on during “Unsatisfied.” It all comes together on an album that has heart.

While Let It Be may have a track called “Gary’s Got a Boner,” it still marks a new level of maturity and a wider appreciation for The Replacements.

4. Whitesnake, Slide It In

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4. Whitesnake, ‘Slide It In’

Whitesnake overcame a noteworthy overhaul to its lineup before recording Slide It In. John Sykes of Thin Lizzy replaced long-time guitarist Micky Moody (though Moody’s contributions appear on the U.K. mix and Sykes is featured on the U.S. mix of the album).

Fellow guitarist Mel Galley also stepped away from the band. Jon Lord left to rejoin Deep Purple to record another album on this list, but not before playing on his final album with Whitesnake.

Despite the turmoil, Whitesnake turned out a cohesive album. “Slow an’ Easy” is straight up Zeppelin-esque with it’s choppy sound. David Coverdale and Sykes complement each other well whether it is a punchy delivery or soaring throughout a song like “Love Ain’t No Stranger.”

3. Hüsker Dü, Zen Arcade

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3. Hüsker Dü, ‘Zen Arcade’

Hüsker Dü’s turn from strictly being hardcore punk sees the band telling the tell of a young boy leaving an abusive home. Across 23 songs, we are told a story of life, loss, despair and drugs.

“And I don’t know what to do now that pink has turned to blue,” Bob Mould earnestly sings on “Pink Turns Blue.” Never has hopelessness sounded so pleasant.

Zen Arcade not only marked a huge step forward for Hüsker Dü, but also for an entire genre.

2. Scorpions, Love at First Sting

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2. Scorpions, ‘Love at First Sting’

Scorpions had already released eight albums by the time they unleashed Love at First Sting. Led by three of the German band’s most beloved songs, “Rock You Like a Hurricane,’ “Still Loving You” and “Big City Nights,” Love at First Sting turned out to be their most successful album in the U.S.

The Scorps’ mix of hard rockers and ballads provided crossover hits that connected with multiple audiences as their videos were put into heavy rotation on MTV.

1. Van Halen, 1984

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1. Van Halen, ‘1984’

The one where Eddie Van Halen finds a keyboard. 1984 goes heavy on the synthesizer from the get-go, leading listeners down an unexpected, but vaguely familiar path.

Three tracks into the album, we’re blasted with a reminder that we’re still listening to Van Halen. The ripping guitar and pounding drums make “Panama” sound like it would have been at home on any of the band’s previous releases. Everything clicks giving Van Halen one of the best albums from any of the band’s eras.

If you’re going to name an album in way that makes it forever synonymous with the year it’s released, you better make it count. Van Halen did just that on 1984.

Read More: Why Jon Bon Jovi Is ‘Not in Contact’ With Richie Sambora Anymore | https://loudwire.com/jon-bon-jovi-richie-sambora-documentary/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral