Thu Sep 25 12:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the information, focusing on the key points and quotes:

**Bon Jovi Opens Up About Richie Sambora’s Departure, Says He Was “Heartbroken”**

**NEW YORK, NY -** In a candid conversation on Bunnie Xo’s “Dumb Blonde” podcast released today, Jon Bon Jovi discussed his complicated relationship with former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora, offering a mix of praise and disappointment regarding Sambora’s abrupt departure from the band in 2013.

Bon Jovi acknowledged Sambora’s immense talent, stating, “The great thing that I have said about him throughout our lives was you would be lucky to call him your friend, and I mean that — talented beyond, beyond as a guitar player, as a singer, as a collaborator, wonderful, right-hand man, awesome. Couldn’t ask for more…”

However, Bon Jovi expressed lingering pain over the way Sambora left, saying, “My heartbreak with him is the way he walked out on us, compounded by the fact that it took him years to come back in the room just to have a meal with [drummer] Tico [Torres] and [keyboardist] David [Bryan] and I and say, ‘I’m sorry.’”

Bon Jovi implied that he would have been more accepting of Sambora’s desire to pursue a solo career if it had been handled differently. “But if what he wanted was to be just Richie Sambora, not a member of Bon Jovi, do it right? I always encourage all of my guys, because my attitude was, ‘Bring the information back that you learn outside. It’ll only help us.’”

He emphasized that he has come to terms with the situation. “So for whatever reason, he walked out, and then that was that. But I can’t defend or or accuse in any … and it’s just not worth it anymore. After so many years, I just … if you can’t figure [it out] or get it together, then it’s not on us, right? I love the man, heartbroken that he walked out on us…”

The discussion comes on the heels of Sambora’s recent apology in the documentary, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story,” where he stated, “I don’t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it, so I want to apologize fully right now to the fans, especially, and also to the guys because my feet and my spirit were just not letting me walk out the door.”

Sambora’s departure led to his replacement by current guitarist Phil X. As of press time, Richie Sambora’s representatives have not commented on Bon Jovi’s remarks. While a reunion is not confirmed, some fans are hoping to see Sambora rejoin Bon Jovi for a potential farewell tour.

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