Richie Sambora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richie Sambora
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Richie Sambora at the Winter NAMM Show 2017
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Richard Stephen Sambora
July 11, 1959 Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Education | Woodbridge High School |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
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| Partner(s) | Orianthi (2014–2018) |
| Children | 1 |
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Richard Stephen Sambora (born July 11, 1959) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is most famous for being the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He and singer Jon Bon Jovi wrote many of the band's biggest hits together. Sambora has also released three solo albums: Stranger in This Town (1991), Undiscovered Soul (1998), and Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012).
In 2018, Sambora was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bon Jovi. He even reunited with the band for a special performance at the ceremony. That same year, he started a new music group called RSO with fellow musician Orianthi.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Richard Stephen Sambora was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. His mother, Joan, was a secretary, and his father, Adam, was a factory foreman. He grew up in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, and went to Woodbridge High School, where he played on the basketball team.
Sambora's first instrument was the accordion, which he started playing when he was six. But his life changed when he was 12, after the death of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. This inspired him to pick up the guitar. He was heavily influenced by blues music and 1960s rock and roll. Some of his biggest heroes were Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and B. B. King. He also loved Spanish classical music and the Spanish guitar. Besides guitar, Sambora can play other instruments like drums, bass, and piano.
Music Career
Joining Bon Jovi
Before he became famous, Sambora played in a few different bands. In 1983, he went to see a new band called Bon Jovi play live. He was so impressed that he went backstage and talked to the lead singer, Jon Bon Jovi.
A few days later, Jon invited Sambora to practice with the band. As soon as they started playing together, Jon knew he had found the right guitarist and hired him. That very night, Sambora and Jon wrote two songs that would appear on the band's first album.
Sambora was a key part of Bon Jovi for 30 years. He co-wrote famous songs like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "Wanted Dead or Alive". He left the band in 2013 to spend more time with his family.
Solo Music and RSO
Sambora has also had a successful career on his own. His first solo album, Stranger in This Town, came out in 1991. It was a blues-rock album and featured a guest performance by Eric Clapton.
His second album, Undiscovered Soul, was released in 1998. He toured in Japan, Australia, and Europe to support it. In 2012, he released his third album, Aftermath of the Lowdown.
In 2015, Sambora began working with musician Orianthi. They formed a duo called RSO and released two EPs in 2017. Their first full album, Radio Free America, came out in May 2018.
Working with Other Artists
Over the years, Sambora has worked with many other famous musicians.
- He played guitar on a song for LL Cool J's album Exit 13.
- He was a guest vocalist on an album by Stuart Smith.
- He played a guitar solo for Canadian singer Amanda Marshall.
- He sang "Long Way Around" for the 1997 movie Fire Down Below.
- He also appeared on the British TV show The Masked Singer as the character "Jacket Potato."
Personal Life
Sambora married actress Heather Locklear in 1994. They have a daughter named Ava Elizabeth Sambora, who was born in 1997. The couple divorced in 2007. Sambora's father, Adam, passed away from lung cancer in 2007.
Charity Work and Honors
Sambora has used his fame to help others. He has raised money for many charities, including organizations that help children and research Parkinson's disease. After his father passed away, he donated money to the hospitals that treated him.
- In 2004, Kean University gave him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters, which is a special degree to honor his achievements.
- In 2009, he and Jon Bon Jovi were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- In his hometown of Woodbridge, a street was renamed Richie Sambora Way in his honor. He also donated money to his old high school to build a new fitness center.
Guitars and Equipment
Sambora is known for his amazing guitar collection, which has over 130 instruments. He loves Fender Stratocaster guitars and owns many of them.
In the 1980s, he often played guitars made by Kramer, and the company even created a signature model for him. In the 1990s, Fender also released a Richie Sambora signature Stratocaster. He has also worked with Taylor to create a signature acoustic guitar.
He is famous for using double-neck and even triple-neck guitars, which allow him to switch between different sounds in one song.
Discography
Studio Albums
- Stranger in This Town (1991)
- Undiscovered Soul (1998)
- Aftermath of the Lowdown (2012)
with Bon Jovi
- Bon Jovi (1984)
- 7800° Fahrenheit (1985)
- Slippery When Wet (1986)
- New Jersey (1988)
- Keep the Faith (1992)
- These Days (1995)
- Crush (2000)
- Bounce (2002)
- Have a Nice Day (2005)
- Lost Highway (2007)
- The Circle (2009)
- What About Now (2013)
with RSO
- Rise (EP, 2017)
- Making History (EP, 2017)
- Radio Free America (2018)
See also
In Spanish: Richie Sambora para niños
