Richie Sambora recently discussed the new Bon Jovi docuseries, ‘Thank You, Goodnight,’ and talked about rejoining the band during an appearance on ‘The Allison Hagendorf Show.’ The guitarist said he was open to a return:
“The fans would just love it. It’s not finance. It has nothing to do with that. The world could use it. But, as Jon said, he’s been having problems with his voice. And now he had that operation with some plastic thing in his larynx. And it’s an iffy thing at best.”
Sambora mentioned earlier in the month that Jon Bon Jovi’s vocals are ‘unfortunately clearly not’ great after his surgery. He also named it as one of the reasons holding a reunion back during the interview:
“I don’t know if there’s anybody that has ever had that be successful. I’m not really sure about that. And I went to his house and we talked about it. I said, ‘How is that now? What’s going on?’ Physiologically, it doesn’t seem almost possible, where your brain teaches this plastic thing how to… almost like you’ve gotta relearn speech in a way, and things like that. So, like I said, first time I’ve ever really heard of that operation or something like that. So, I would definitely go. [My new solo single] ‘I Pray’ was earmarked almost for Bon Jovi. It was almost gonna be that ‘It’s My Life’ moment. So, if he gets [his voice] back, I’ll go play. I got songs.”
Former Bandmates Don’t Think Of Working Together In The Near Future
Sambora and Bon Jovi recently watched the first three episodes of the band’s docuseries together despite not planning a reunion at the moment. The frontman shared about the meeting with his ex-bandmate in a chat with This Morning:
“There was joy as we were together, just the two of us. I can’t reiterate enough. There is no animosity. He’s taken a path in his journey. Being in a rock band is not a life sentence. He was there for 30 of the 40 years. Everything along the way is what got me to where I am today.”
He spoke of the guitarist’s possible comeback as follows:
“There’s always an opportunity. He knows three-quarters of the songs, but it’s not that I’m looking for that, or he’s looking for that, or anybody’s looking for that.”
Phil X has been the guitarist for Bon Jovi since Sambora’s departure in 2013. The band is set to release its third album with him (‘Forever’) on June 7, 2024.