"So much for being there forever and a day. After 30 years as lead guitarist for Bon Jovi,
Richie Sambora has parted ways with the legendary rock band, a source confirms to
Us Weekly. (RumorFix.com was first to report the split.)
"There were a lot of well-documented problems, so this was the best decision for now," the source tells
Us. A rep for Bon Jovi had no comment.
Incidentally,
Sambora, 54, has been absent from the group's ongoing Because We Can
tour in recent months. "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not
be performing on this upcoming leg," a statement on the band's website
read on April 3. "All shows will go on as scheduled."
The New
Jersey native has been with Bon Jovi since the band's inception in 1983.
In the 30 years since, the group has released 12 studio albums, three
compilations, and two live albums. They've sold more than 130 million
records worldwide and have performed in more than 50 countries all over
the world. In 2009, Sambora and the band's namesake, Jon Bon Jovi, were
inducted together into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
According to RumorFix, Sambora will still collect songwriting royalties and profits from merchandise."