'He's not in the organization': Jon Bon Jovi reveals why he hasn't spoken to longtime friend Richie Sambora for over 11 years

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jon Bon Jovi got candid on the present condition of his relationship with his longtime friend  and ex-bandmate Richie Sambora.

The 64-year-old left Bon Jovi during the middle of the band’s world tour in 2013 for personal reasons. Now, 11 years later, frontman Bon Jovi, 62, has revealed that the duo are still not on talking terms. 

Jon Bon Jovi says Richie Sambora is 'not in the organization any longer'

“We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organization any longer,” the rocker told Ultimate Classic Rock. 

“[That] doesn’t mean that there’s not love forever, but it’s 11 years ago that he just didn’t show up anymore. And there were emotional issues that he was dealing with as a single dad, and there were substance abuse issues that, you know… Phil X had to show up one time, and then Phil X had to show up another time. And then, again, there’s a show that night. What are we gonna do?”

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora are set to appear in an upcoming docuseries

Both Bon Jovi and Sambora are set to appear in the upcoming docuseries 'Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story' premiering on Hulu next month in conjunction with the band’s 40th anniversary. However, Bon Jovi says he and Sambora, a childhood friend, did not work on the film together at all.

“Not a word. That was [director] Gotham Chopra. This wasn’t a puff piece and this was no bulls—,” he told the outlet, adding “This is not us behind the scenes pulling strings. Oh no, no, no. They interviewed Richie in London. I wasn’t there. I had nothing to do with it. No, I still haven’t seen the [finished] product.”

Richie Sambora previously expressed interest in reuniting with Jon Bon Jovi

Even though Sambora said in November last year that a reunion with his former band “definitely could happen,” the guitarist had to skip the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year ceremony honoring Bon Jovi in February.

It was later disclosed that at the time that Sambora's 89-year-old mother had “tripped on her carpet” and broken her hip, and that he was home in New Jersey taking care of her. "She didn't want to stay in the hospital, so he got her 24-hour care. He's an only child and a devoted son," the source said, adding "They're first-generation immigrants, so family is very important to him."

Richie Sambora opens up on why he left the band

Sambora abruptly left the band in 2013 in the middle of the Because We Can world tour after three decades as lead guitarist of Bon Jovi. “It wasn’t a popular decision by any means, obviously, but there was really almost no choice about it. I had a lot of conscious work to do around [my personal life],” he told People in 2021. 

“I had people around me that loved me, and it was a good thing I got through it… I realized [daughter] Ava needed me to be around at that point in time. Family had to come first, and that’s what happened,” he added.

Bon Jovi himself cleared out in 2016, saying that there was “no fight or money issues" involved in his departure. “Nobody expected Richie to quit in the middle of the night for no reason. He wasn’t fired; he just didn’t come to work,” he said, adding “I’m never going to bad mouth the guy. He’s a wonderful friend, wonderful collaborator.”

On Thursday, March 14, Bon Jovi announced its upcoming 16th studio album 'Forever' which will be released on June 7.