Richie Sambora leaves Bon Jovi tour to enter rehab

Thu, 05 May 2011

Last week, Bon Jovi announced they would be touring without Richie Sambora on the latest leg of the Circle tour after he checked himself into a rehab facility at the end of April.

In an official statement made at the end of April, the band stated on their Facebook page "Our support for Richie is absolute. He is, and will remain, a member of Bon Jovi. Although he will be absent from upcoming shows for the time being, we very much look forward to his healthy return. In the meantime, we will keep our commitment to our fans and continue our tour."

According to Radar Online, Richie Sambora is being treated because "recently has been drinking too much, and wants to get his life together."

Stepping in to fill in for Richie Sambora until he is ready to return to the tour (it has not been determined how long he will be absent from the band’s shows), will be Canadian guitarist Phil X, joined the band when they kicked off the latest leg of the tour at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Phil X was co-founder of LA rock outfit Powder, and has also worked with Tommy Lee, Rob Zombie, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Chris Cornell, Adam Lambert and a host of other musicians.

The band dedicated ‘Livin on a Prayer’ to Sambora, "We'd like to send this out to our brother Richie." Jon Bon Jovi announced on the first show without him.

---Updated May 9th----
They also paid tribute to Richie again on May 3rd in Ottawa, before playing “Wanted Dead Or Alive”, check out the fan-filmed footage below featuring Phil X.




The band conclude the tour in Lisbon on July 31st, currently the band have not confirmed when Richie Sambora will be ready to return.

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