Richie Sambora has poured cold water on any rumours that he had a falling out with his former bandmate Jon Bon Jovi.
In the lead up to his RSO tour alongside Aussie girlfriend and musician Orianthi; Sambora has shed light on his split from Bon Jovi in 2013.
Sambora explained that there was no bad blood, but that he and Jon Bon Jovi had simply been moving in different directions musically. “There’s no malice,” he said in an interview with news.com.au. “Jon and I talked just a week ago. Everything is cool. They’re on a different trajectory, I’m on a different path. Plus I wanted to go out and sing.”
RSO’s new album is set to be released before their Australian tour next month, and Sambora and Orianthi will play songs from that new record – as well as a handful of Bon Jovi hits too. “I wrote them, they’re my songs too,” Sambora said.
“I get to play them, I get to do them the way Ori and I do them now. It’s a different incarnation but when you write a good song, if you’re fortunate enough to write something that gets to a global audience you really can’t mess it up too bad. You can’t mess Livin’ On A Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive or I’ll Be There For You up. It’s all gonna come out good.”
When asked whether there was any chance of reuniting with Bon Jovi and the band, Sambora refused to rule anything out – answering simply “never say never.”
Sambora also revealed that Orianthi – who has worked alongside Michael Jackson and Prince, is currently working on a posthumous Jackson release. The Aussie born guitarist and singer declined to reveal any more about the release, but was full of praise when asked about working with Jackson.
“Working with Michael was a dream come true, he was an amazingly talented performer and artist,” she said. “He encouraged everyone to be the best they could be, and he was very personable. I learned a lot working with him and it was surreal being in his presence … A real honour.”
Tickets for RSO’s September 2016 Australian tour are on sale now.
Watch: RSO – ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ (Acoustic)
RSO: Richie Sambora & Orianthi Australian Tour 2016
Tickets on sale now
Friday, 23rd September 2016
Metro City, Perth
Tickets: Ticketek
Monday, 26th September 2016
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre, Adelaide
Tickets: Ticketek
Tuesday, 27th September 2016
Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne
Tickets: Ticketek
Thursday, 29th September 2016
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Ticketek
Friday, 30th September 2016
Eaton Hills, Brisbane
Tickets: Ticketek
UPDATE 31/08/2016: The original version of this article failed to credie News Corp Australia. This has since been rectified.