Jon Bon Jovi Talks About Richie Sambora's Departure From The Band

As previously reported, Jon Bon Jovi is currently touring without his guitarist Richie Sambora who allegedly is going through rehab again. Bon Jovi recently sat down with the London Evening Standard to talk about the Sambora situation:

“It’s getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something… Because all I can say is this — it’s for personal reasons. He’s been through it before, fortunately for us the same guy who filled in last time was available this time.”

He continued to snub Sambora by comparing him to U2’s The Edge, who would not be so easy to substitute.

“Life goes on, so if someone chooses not to be here… unlike if this were, God forbid, The Edge, and he for some reason couldn’t make a U2 show, [then] it would be very difficult to just step in,” he said.

“You have a choice — you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, ‘I hate my brother and I’m gonna quit the band.’”

During the interview, Bon Jovi called Justin Bieber “an a**hole” for showing up to his O2 arena concert in March 2013 two hours late.

Related links:
Bon Jovi's official site

Drama Alert: Richie Sambora Leaves BON JOVI Due To Monetary Differences

This past Wednesday, April 3, Jon Bon Jovi released a statement saying, "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled". This is the first time that Bon Jovi performs without Richie Sambora on guitar, and as of right now it doesn't seem like Sambora will be back on board anytime soon.

According to TMZ, those "personal issues" have to do with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora "fighting over money."

"Sources directly connected to Bon Jovi tell TMZ that tensions between Jon and Richie have been running high for years and it's finally erupted," reports the website. "One source tells us, 'It's a classic Jagger/Richards blowup."

The site adds that part of the problem is that "Jon constantly belittles Richie."

In September, Sambora told The Hollywood Reporter:

"Jon’s the leader, and there are no bones about that — and no hard feelings. Everyone has a specific role in the caste system of what this band is, and that’s why it has lasted for 30 years."

But it appears all is not well behind the current concert curtain, as JBJ told the crowd Tuesday in Calgary: "I had two choices: pack up and go home or give you everything I got... Richie Sambora won't be performing for a while. If there's ever a night I need you, it's tonight, Calgary!"

As of right now, the bands hasn't announced a temporary replacement for Sambora.
Related links:
Bon Jovi's official site