A Bon Jovi reunion is off the cards after Jon Bon Jovi stated he is still ‘not in contact’ with Richie Sambora 11 years after their split.
Jon has spoken out about his rocky relationship with his former bandmate and close friend of over 30 years, revealing not even an upcoming four-part documentary, Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, could bridge the gap between the two musicians.
Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, the Living on a Prayer hit-maker explained he is not currently in contact with Richie due to Richie no longer being in the band.
He added he “had nothing to do with” Richie’s decision to participate in the documentary.
The Bon Jovi Story couldn’t bring the duo back together – despite both of them appearing in the series.
Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock, the It’s My Life singer explained he is no longer in contact with Richie.
He said: “We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organisation any longer.”
Jon went on to add that he “had nothing to do with” Richie’s involvement in the series, which is being released on the band’s 40th anniversary.
“They interviewed Richie in London. I wasn’t there,” he explained, adding: “I had nothing to do with it.”
Despite the split, Jon said he still has “love” for his former bandmate.
The band briefly reunited in 2018 to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Jon and Richie haven’t performed together since.
Even though they don’t talk, he believes that “doesn’t mean that there’s not love forever”. In a chat with People back in 2016, he called Richie a “wonderful friend” and a “wonderful collaborator”.
He also said: “I’m never going to bad mouth the guy.”
As for Richie’s decision to leave the band, in 2020 he told People he had “no choice”.
He said: “It wasn’t a popular decision by any means, obviously, but there was really almost no choice about it.”
The guitarist, who shares daughter Ava with his ex-wife and actress Heather Locklear, said he left to be with his family.
He explained: “Ava needed me to be around at that point in time. Family had to come first, and that’s what happened.”
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