The band has released this official statement on Facebook (which contradicts Matt's earlier tweet, by the way...) -
In response to questions about Richie Sambora & Bon Jovi's upcoming performance schedule, the band released this statement:
"Our support for Richie is absolute. He is, and will remain, a member of Bon Jovi. Although he will be absent from upcoming shows for the time being, we very much look forward to his healthy return. In the meantime, we will keep our commitment to our fans and continue our tour."
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Well this just broke my heart. What a terrible thing to wake up to. :(
From radaronline.com:
Bon Jovi star Richie Sambora is checking into rehab, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.
Sambora is coming off a highly successful tour with Bon Jovi and is checking into a facility for exhaustion and to regain his sobriety.
The guitar player spent a month at Cirque Lodge in Utah in 2007. That was after the traumatic break-up of his marriage to Heather Locklear and his split from girlfriend Denise Richards the same month his father died of lung cancer.
Sambora, 52, successfully launched the clothing line White Trash Beautiful and then helped Bon Jovi haul in more than $201 million as a top touring act of 2010.
”Richie recently has been drinking too much, and wants to get his life together," a source told RadarOnline.com exclusively, adding that the band has been very supportive of the rehab decision.
"Richie has had a busy year," a close friend of the musician told Radar. "I think this was a culmination of all the things that overloaded his life and finally he realized he needed to take care of himself.”
It was not immediately clear how Sambora's treatment will affect his role in Bon Jovi. The group is scheduled to play tour dates this month in the U.S. before performing in Europe during June.
And tweets from Matt on Twitter:
All I can say is that we are heading to NOLA tomorrow. No shows will be canceled. (7:15 AM PST)
Now you know it's not my place to comment. Richie will be fine and is fine. Personal life comes first and you have to respect that. (8:15 AM PST)
We're pulling for you, Richie. As sad as I am to hear this, I have enormous respect for anyone who recognizes they have a problem and need to seek help before it takes control of them. I pray with all my heart he will make it through stronger than ever before! xx
3 comments:
i mulled over getting tickets to the ottawa show which is the closest to where i live, and ive been mulling it for 4 months. never been happier that i still didnt get a ticket. im actually pissed. i know people are heart broken their hero is having a hard time, but life is hard and we all struggle even without high profile jobs and without crazy insurance, and without a trillion dollar guitar toy collection, and without children to keep us a bit happy, and i struggled for 4 months trying to see whether id have enough money to get a seat decent enough without going over $200 which i cant afford. i've officially stopped being a wide-eyed innocent star struck fan and have grown up. and fuck those who dont understand how life works.
I'm not sure I understand your comment...at whom is your anger directed? Who doesn't understand how life works? And how is that relevant to Richie re-entering rehab? :/
I think fans can be supportive of Richie and the band but still be angry at the news. It is not like Richie is suddenly broke his hand and can't play. It is the fact of alcoholism and this is his 3rd trip to rehab. It is a hard blow --and it is hard to see alcoholism as a disease rather than a preventable life choice even if you intellectually try to understand.
A Bon Jovi concert w/o Richie is simply not a Bon Jovi concert. It can be good, maybe even great with another guitarist but part of the "show" is Richie's personality, his relationship with the fans in the audience and the chemistry between him and Jon as musical partners, brothers and friends. Fans are grieving which means sadness and anger. We will all get through this and hopefully Richie will return in good health and good spirits.
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