Richie Sambora is well known as having been the lead guitarist, songwriter and singer for American mega-band Bon Jovi for 30 years. Following a series of personal losses, setbacks and problems, Richie re-gained control of his life. Today he is walking a new musical path and is about to release a new album with Orianthi, his girlfriend and fellow guitarist.

1980 -- Richie Sambora at right

Richard Stephen Sambora is a Jersey shore kid, born in Perth Amboy, NJ, on July 11, 1959. He appears to have had a middle class Catholic upbringing, graduating from Woodbridge (NJ) High School in 1977. He was a member of the school’s 1975 state championship basketball team. Richie’s interest in music began early. He first played accordion, at age 6, and picked up the guitar when he was 12. His heroes were Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Classical Spanish guitar music also captured attention.

Richie’s early bands were called Message, Mercy, Duke Williams and the Extremes, and Richie Sambora & Friends. His first professional tour was opening for Joe Cocker in the early 80s. In 1983, Richie flew to California to audition for KISS, who were replacing Ace Frehley. He didn’t get the job, but on returning home a mutual friend suggested he contact John Bongiovani, another Jersey kid who was putting together a band. The two hit it off and after hearing Richie play, he was the new lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, a band about to explode. That explosion was due in no small part to Richie’s contributions to songwriting, composing and multi-instrumental playing. In addition to scorching electric leads, he also plays acoustic guitar, bass, drums, piano and saxophone.

During Bon Jovi hiatuses, Richie began a solo and collaboration career. In the late 80s/early 90s, he composed, produced, and played on albums with Cher, with whom he had a romantic relationship. Richie’s first solo album was Stranger in This Town (1991). He followed that with Undiscovered Soul in 1998. In 2004, he played on Heaven and Earth featuring Stuart Smith. His solo on the Deep Purple cover “When a Blind Man Cries” is especially good.

Richie and actress/model Heather Locklear were married in 1994, and had a daughter, Ava, that same year. Locklear filed for divorce in 2006, and the marriage was terminated in 2007, just days before Richie’s father died from cancer. At the same time, Bon Jovi was in the midst of recording a new album and launching a world tour. Richie’s use of alcohol became a serious problem and he checked into rehab to get sober.

After rehab, Richie re-joined Bon Jovi. He also appeared with lifelong friend Les Paul on Les Paul & Friends: Tribute to a Legend (2008), not long before Paul’s death in 2009. Richie later performed on the PBS Front and Center tribute to Les Paul at the Iridium (2015). In 2012, Richie released his most personal solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012), digging deeply into his issues and recovery. In 2013, Richie announced he was leaving Bon Jovi to spend time with his daughter, who was about to start college.

Since 2013, Richie has performed in the US and abroad with his Australian girlfriend and former Michael Jackson and Alice Cooper guitarist, Orianthi (Panagaris). A new album by both is due at any time. The single “Come Back As Me” has already been released. Stay tuned for tour information, which is sure to follow release of the album.

Happy Birthday to Richie Sambora!