Richie Sambora has spoken publicly for the first time since departing the Bon Jovi lineup midtour. The guitarist responded to frontman Jon Bon Jovi's comments about his absence in the press and the subsequent rumors that he left the tour due to drug and alcohol problems.
"I don't have any major problems in life right now," Sambora told the Daily Mail. "I love my fans, and I feel bad for them at the moment. Bottom line."
Sambora also offered his take on Bon Jovi's negative comments regarding his departure from the tour:
"My opinion is Jon wants to see if he can pull off stadiums by himself. He is making it very difficult for me to come back. Enough with the trash-talking! Jon needs to stop talking about me publicly. I am fine working very hard on my fashion company Nikki Rich and this is a private matter."
Sambora originally dropped off the North American leg of the Because We Can tour back in April and has now extended his hiatus through the band's upcoming trips to Europe and South Africa.
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