Live stream will be available after this brief ad from our sponsors
ContestsEvents

Richie Sambora Says His Role in Bon Jovi Was To ‘Shut The F—Up’

Richie Sambora really opened up in a new interview about his place within Bon Jovi while he was in the band. In an appearance on Nile Rodgers’ Deep Hidden Meaning…

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performing on stage
Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Richie Sambora really opened up in a new interview about his place within Bon Jovi while he was in the band.

In an appearance on Nile Rodgers' Deep Hidden Meaning RadioRodgers asked Sambora about his relationship with Jon Bon Jovi while in the band saying, "It's strange because when a band has a front guy, and the band has the front guy's name, you think that all the singing is the front guy."

Sambora chimed in, "And all the writing...That was part of my deal, to shut the f--- up. If I had a coffee place, the sign would say, 'Have a hot steaming cup of shut the f--- up.' That would be my coffee place. And you know what? Guess what? I did it. And it worked out because that's what he needed for whatever reason. And I was working with him and if he needed that kind of thing."

Rodgers then made mention of how tricky rock and roll/songwriting partnerships can be to which Sambora responded, "You might as well marry your business partner.

Sambora exited Bon Jovi back in 2013. As for ever returning to the band, he said in an interview in October 2020, "It would have to be a special situation for me to go back, but I'm certainly not counting it out. I have no malice toward that band."

Bon Jovi: Their 35 Best Songs, Ranked

Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights