Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has been announced as a late addition to the mega lineup for Soundwave Festival 2014, and the rocker has revealed he plans to unleash a few co-written Bon Jovi classics while touring the country.
Speaking to Mike Hohnen for Music Feeds Podcast, Sambora said Bon Jovi songs like Livin’ On A Prayer and Bad Medicine will feature during his performances. “Listen, man, I wrote that stuff,” he said. “They’re my songs too, you know? And I’ll make them my own in a different way.”
When it comes time to put together the setlist, Sambora said he’ll take his cues from the audience. “I’m gonna read the crowd. When you come out there as a frontman, you have to feel how the crowd is feeling.”
And for those who are feeling like they need to hear, say, Wanted Dead or Alive? “Why don’t you ask everybody to make some requests and then you can give ’em to me, and I’ll do ’em.” You heard the man.
When asked about the kind of show he has in store for punters, Sambora unleashed a tale that could only come from a true rock star. Featuring a supporting cast of Alice Cooper, former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, and Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler, the story recounts how he came to recruit Australian international guitar goddess, Orianthi, to join him at Soundwave:
“Over the holidays, I was in Maui with my daughter and a couple of friends. [Legendary music manager] Shep Gordon and Alice Cooper do this charity event every New Year’s Eve.”
“[Cooper] says, ‘Rick, you gotta come play.’ And I was like ‘Yeah, bring it, man! I can’t wait!’ And it ended up being me and Alice and Sammy Hagar…and Steven Tyler, who’s another dear friend of mine… That was a gas!”
“And then I ran into Orianthi, and I was like, ‘Holy cow, this chick is badass!’ So we got on stage and we played together and there was a very magical chemistry about it. So she’s coming to play – she’s in the band!”
While Sambora’s more popular output might seem an odd fit for a predominantly punk and metal festival, he is an accomplished shred guitarist. Fans can expect lots of jamming, improvisation, and guitar interplay between himself and Orianthi. “I think that’s what people wanna hear and trust me, me and Ori are gonna jam.”
He’s also excited about Alice in Chains being on the bill and looks forward to seeing his “buddies” Green Day. Will we see them on stage together? “I’m available for a jam.”
Also joining Sambora will be players from his latest record, Aftermath of the Lowdown. “When you listen to Aftermath, there’s extended solos all over the place and I like to let the wild horses run. If you’re playing with a bunch of amazing, talented musicians, you let them go and let their spirits free,” said Sambora. “To me, that’s entertainment… We’re gonna bring it.”
“I’m psyched. Beyond psyched. I really am,” he enthused. “And you know what? Everybody else is too. The whole band are raring to go.”
Sambora will appear at Soundwave alongside headliners Green Day and Avenged Sevenfold, plus other last-minute lineup additions including Filter and I Killed The Prom Queen. The festival kicks off in Brisbane on 22nd February.
You can check out the full lineup here, and listen to the complete, unedited interview with Richie Sambora here.
Soundwave 2014 Dates & Venues
Saturday, 22nd February 2014
RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane
Tix: Via Soundwave Festival
Sunday, 23rd February 2014
Olympic Park, Sydney
Tix: Via Soundwave Festival
Friday, 28th February 2014
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Tix: Via Soundwave Festival
Saturday, 1st March 2014
Bonython Park, Adelaide
Tix: Via Soundwave Festival
Monday, 3rd March 2014
Claremont Showgrounds, Perth
Tix: Via Soundwave Festival
