Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora spoke to Guitar Player for their latest issue. During the chat, he revealed the offer he got from Eric Clapton.
Sambora recalled how in 1995 Eric Clapton insisted he join a dream jam session at the Roxy. But, it was obliged rather than requested:
“One day [in March, 1995] he called me and said, ‘Richard, this is Eric…’ I’m like [drops his mouth in amazement] because I’m still crazy and starstruck. He says ‘Buddy, George [Harrison] and I are playing the Roxy tonight. You’re going to come and jam.’ I’m like ‘No, I’m watching the f*cking ‘Price Is Right,’ Eric?!… I will be there, I promise you!’ Meanwhile, I’m shitting my pants.”
Sambora was so intimidated that he played everything he knew faster just ‘to get through’:
“I played every lick I knew about three times faster – whatever I had to do to get through the whole thing. Buddy’s like ‘Come on, come on!’ and Eric’s just laughing.”
How Sambora Got Accepted Into The Blues Community
Sambora picked up the guitar at 12 and grew up looking up to idols like B.B. King, Jimmy Page, and Clapton. As life went on, they became much more than just heroes. And eventually, he got ‘accepted’ into the blues community. In the same interview, he explained how he got accepted:
“Every time Buddy was around or I was anywhere near the vicinity, we’d just call each other. B.B. was the same way. I was accepted by the blues community. But I did the work, man. I did the stuff. I played blues clubs for a reason and I loved every second of it.”
You can hear one of Sambora’s recent singles ‘I Pray’ below.