Richie Sambora, former guitarist of Bon Jovi, revealed his only condition to return to the band

After Jon clarified that there were never fights between him and the group over their separation, Sambora pointed out that he is not closed to returning to them

In recent statements during an interview on The Allison Hagendorf Show, Richie Sambora, the former guitarist of the band Bon Jovi, expressed his willingness to rejoin the group on the condition that Jon Bon Jovi, the lead vocalist, fully recovers from the health problems that have affected his ability to sing. Sambora, who left the band in 2013 to devote himself more to his family, has kept a door open for his return, stressing that financial reasons do not influence his decision and the value his return would have for fans.

This year Jon Bon Jovi revealed that he has faced challenges with his voice, which led him to a surgical intervention in 2022 to treat the problem of loose vocal cords, a situation that he himself has acknowledged is taking longer to recover than expected. Sambora visited Bon Jovi after his operation, and together they discussed the recovery process.

In Sambora’s words, it seems almost physiologically impossible for the brain to teach a plastic implant to function properly, comparing the process to having to relearn how to speak. However, Richie Sambora was optimistic about the possibility of a comeback, stating that, if Jon fully regains his singing ability, he would be willing to reunite with the band to play again.

“If he recovers his voice, I will go and play,” said the guitarist during the interview.

Jon underwent medialization surgery to improve the capacity of his vocal cords. “It’s been made public now, but I’ve had major reconstructive surgery on my vocal cords, and I’ve never had anything like it,” she revealed in an interview.

After the operation, he has been working on recovering his vocal ability through daily therapy, although he highlighted the difference between recording in the studio and touring. In the event that he could not reach the desired level of excellence in his performances, the singer stated that he would end them, stating: “If the singing is not great, if I can’t be the boy I once was… then it was over.”

The period since Sambora’s departure has seen Phil X take his place as Bon Jovi’s guitarist, a position he has held to date. Meanwhile, Richie’s interest in music has not ceased, evidenced by the release of solo material, his first new material in more than a decade. During his conversation with Hagendorf, the musician revealed that at least one of his new songs, “I Pray”, was initially conceived for the band, suggesting that it would have been a duet between him and Bon Jovi, comparable in impact to the hit “It’s My Life”.

Jon and Richie shared a friendship and collaborative relationship within the band Bon Jovi for thirty years, until Sambora decided to leave the Because We Can tour in 2013, citing “personal problems”. The vocalist explained the guitarist’s departure without alluding to conflicts between them: “There was no fight. He had some problems that he just couldn’t solve and wanted to be home more than traveling.” The “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer attributed his partner’s departure to personal challenges, including substance abuse and the pressures of being a single parent.

Despite rumors of a fight, Jon Bon Jovi claimed that there was never such a conflict: “But to this day none of us, not me, not him, not David [Bryan], not Tico [Torres], had a fight.” Even after his departure, there was no animosity between them, as evidenced by Sambora’s only subsequent meeting with the band in 2018 for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Sambora reflected on his decision to leave the band, pointing to family as his priority: “Obviously, it wasn’t a popular decision, but there was almost no other option. (…) The family had to come first and that’s what happened.” He also talked about overcoming his addiction and needing to take a break after years of intensive touring.

The documentary Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story addresses the band’s 40-year history, including the relationship between Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, their successes and the challenges faced, highlighting that, despite the difficult times, friendship and mutual respect prevailed between them.: