Richie Sambora to rejoin Bon Jovi for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora says he will reunite with his former band mates at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction next year.
It was announced yesterday that Bon Jovi will be inducted at the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday 14th April 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio alongside The Cars, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues and Nina Simone.
Bon Jovi's 'classic'Â line-up of Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan, Alec John Such and Tico Torres were named as the members who will be inducted.
Shortly after the announcement, Jon Bon Jovi released a video thanking fans for their enduring support, saying: “Thanks for inducting us into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Long time coming but it’s finally here!
“We’ll see you guys in Cleveland, thanks for all the memories and history we continue to make together.”
Speaking to Billboard last night, Richie Sambora, who quit the group after more than 30 years in 2013, says he is looking forward to the “joyous” induction ceremony.
"It's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - it'll be a joyous occasion," Richie said.
"I was (in Bon Jovi) for 31 years and we sold 150 million records or something and we put a lot of asses in seats in stadiums around the world and made a lot of people happy. I did so many different jobs in that band, so, yeah, I'm showing up for (the induction ceremony).
“Everybody should have a smile on their face and a smile in their hearts and it should be a celebration of what we did."
Expressing his satisfaction at Bon Jovi’s induction, Richie continued: "It's great to be recognised for anything you do. It's fabulous to be in line with the greats and your heroes that you grew up listening to and emulating. When you put me in line with the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan and The Beatles and everyone else who's there, it's a big honour."
Richie also expressed no regrets at quitting Bon Jovi four years ago, adding: "Being in something that big at that time, it's so consuming. It was so big you didn't really have a chance to individualise yourself in a way. And also, too, what happens is you're in a band for 30-some odd years and people are going in different direction.
“Some people want to be doing that. Some people want to be doing this, maybe be home. I wanted to be home with my daughter and take care of my family, things like that. There were a lot of different things pulling me away.
"I did it for 31 years - I think that was a pretty good tenure. We did alright."
The Class of 2018 Inductees were chosen by more than 900 voters, as well as the aggregate results of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s online fan vote.
As revealed last week, Bon Jovi won the fan vote after amassing over 1million votes. Although the fan vote only counts as one ballot, since it was introduced the winner has always gone on to be inducted.
Judas Priest comfortably finished in the Top 5 of the fan ballot but were eventually snubbed.