RICHIE SAMBORA

Richie Sambora is one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most respected and successful guitarists, singers, songwriters and producers. Best known as the lead guitarist for internationally beloved rock band Bon Jovi, founding member Sambora’s unique guitar work and blues-inspired compositions have been part of the formula for success that has seen Bon Jovi sell more than 120 million albums worldwide since the band’s formation in 1983.

As a young boy growing up in Woodbridge, New Jersey, Sambora’s love affair with music began through the encouragement of his entertainer parents; Sambora learned to play a number of instruments but when he was introduced to the music of Eric Clapton, he focused his attention on the guitar. The multi-talented Sambora was playing along to recordings of Clapton, Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jimi Hendrix, determined that music would be his career. Before long, he was performing in local bands, including an early group call The Message, who were signed to Swan Song, a label begun by Led Zeppelin and distributed through Atlantic Records. Regular work and touring on the local circuit led Sambora to an encounter with a young Jon Bon Jovi at a New Jersey club; Sambora heard Bon Jovi’s performance and approached the singer backstage, declaring they should work together. A reluctant Bon Jovi asked Sambora to join his group at an upcoming rehearsal and learn the music; Sambora was there early, knew the guitar parts and the band sounded better than it ever had. That was a history-making moment; Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora teamed up to form what would become one of the most iconic and proficient songwriting teams in modern music.

Since 1983, Bon Jovi have sold more than 120 milion albums worldwide, performed more than 3000 concerts in 50 countries before more than 36 million fans. Sambora has co-written five Number One hit singles, more than twenty Top Ten singles and nearly forty Top 40 songs, including the rock classics “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “It’s My Life” and “You Give Love A Bad Name.” In 2006, the band’s song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” (co-written by Sambora and Bon Jovi) won The 2006 People’s Choice Award for “Best Rock Song.” The country duet version of the song featuring Jennifer Nettles reigned as #1 on the Billboard Hot Country charts for two weeks (marking the first time a rock band has ever graced the top of the Country charts) and garnered CMT, CMA, ACM and Grammy nominations. The song took home a Best Collaborative Video from CMT and Bon Jovi earned their first ever Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals. In 2006, Bon Jovi were inducted into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame. In 2007, the band accomplished another career first, debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts with the release of their album Lost Highway. The platinum-selling disc includes the Top Ten hit “(You Want To) Make A Memory” and garnered the band two more Grammy nominations. Throughout 2007 and 2008, Bon Jovi will be touring the globe in support of Lost Highway.

On the solo front, Sambora has released two albums, 1991’s blues-inspired Stranger In This Town, which included a guest appearance by Sambora’s personal hero, Eric Clapton, and 1998’s Undiscovered Soul, produced by Don Was. Both albums showcased Sambora’s songwriting and soulful vocals. Additionally, Sambora’s talent is sought out by many musicians across musical genres -- he has lent his talents to projects and appearances with artists as diverse as Pink, Brad Paisley, Bo Bice, Clay Aiken, Willie Nelson and Les Paul. Sambora has also composed music for TV (including the theme songs for Entertainment Tonight and The Insider) and motion pictures (his songs have been used in films as diverse as On The Line, Fire Down Below, The Banger Sisters and Wild Hogs.) Sambora has also appeared before the cameras with cameo acting appearances on The Chris Isaak Show, Still Standing and American Dreams television shows, as well as the motion picture On The Line.

Sambora continually writes new original material and logs time in the studio capturing the music, much of which is unknown to the public and the large Bon Jovi fan base at present.

In 2004, Kean University in New Jersey bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) upon their former student; Sambora delivered that year’s Commencement Address and was honored for his creative works.

Sambora currently resides in the Los Angeles area. He is the very proud father of a daughter, Ava Elizabeth, age 10.

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For more information on Richie Sambora and Bon Jovi, please visit www.bonjovi.com

MPCA is proud to control the publishing on all Richie Sambora solo works (non-Bon Jovi compositions.)