Fans of Bon Jovi were left feeling let down upon discovering that the band’s upcoming tour will not feature a full reunion of the original lineup.
On Thursday, the band’s frontman, Jon Bon Jovi, aged 63, unveiled the ‘Forever’ tour, set to commence in July 2026. This tour marks his return to live performances with the band after a three-year hiatus following vocal surgery.
Enthusiastic fans took to social media, expressing their desire for a complete reunion, hoping for the inclusion of Richie Sambora. Sambora, 66, who played lead guitar for the band for thirty years, co-wrote iconic hits like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “You Give Love a Bad Name” alongside Bon Jovi.
Sambora departed from the band unexpectedly in 2013 during a global tour, a move that sparked a prolonged rift among the original members, which also included David Bryan, Alec John Such, and Tico Torres.
As reported by TMZ, Sambora is not scheduled to join the tour, and there are no plans for him to rejoin the band in the future.
Despite Bon Jovi and Sambora maintaining communication, a source informed the publication that there is no intention for Sambora to participate in the tour, not even for a limited number of performances.
Bon Jovi’s fans were disappointed after learning that the band’s tour next year will not feature a full reunion; Singer Jon Bon Jovi, 63, seen performing in 2024
Fans hoped to see Richie Sambora, 66, who was the lead guitarist for the band and co-wrote monster hits Livin on a Prayer with Bon Jovi; Sambora and Bon Jovi pictured in 1985
After Bon Jovi made the tour announcement, fans questioned why Sambora wasn’t on the poster.
‘Please bring back Richie! It just ain’t the same without him man!’
‘Bring Richie back! Please!’
‘Call Sambora!!!!’
‘Wheres Ritchie??’
‘Get back Ritchie!’
Sambora left Bon Jovi’s 2013 world tour mid-run to focus on his family and daughter, Ava, following his divorce from Heather Locklear.
Bon Jovi shared the tour news in an Instagram announcement on Thursday, writing, ‘There is a lot of joy in this announcement – joy that we can share these nights together with our amazing fans and joy that the band can be together.’
‘I am lucky enough to be able to hold a light out to the audience each night and stand in their reflection for a tremendous collective experience – I get to stand in the WE of our concerts.’
‘And I’ve spoken extensively on my gratitude but I will say it again, I’m deeply grateful that the fans and the brotherhood of this band have been patient and allowed me the time needed to get healthy and prepare for touring. I’m ready and excited! – JBJ’
Bon Jovi announced the ‘Forever’ tour, which will kick off in July 2026 and see the lead singer return to the stage three years after he underwent vocal surgery
But fans questioned why Sambora wasn’t on the poster, with one writing, ‘Please bring back Richie! It just ain’t the same without him man!’
In September, Bon Jovi admitted he’s still ‘heartbroken’ that Sambora ‘walked out’ on the band; The two seen performing in 2013
Sambora left the band abruptly in 2013 during a world tour to focus on his family, leading to a years-long feud; Sambora and Bon Jovi pictured in 1984
The group’s tour will kick off in July 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and later stop by London, Dublin and Edinburgh.
In September, Bon Jovi admitted he’s still ‘heartbroken’ that Sambora ‘walked out’ on the band during his appearance on the Dumb Blonde podcast.
‘My heartbreak with him is the way he walked out on us, compounded by the fact that it took him years to come back in the room just to have a meal with Tico and David and I and say, “I’m sorry,”‘ he shared.
‘It’s unfortunate. It’s heartbreaking … but if what he wanted was to be just Richie Sambora, not a member of Bon Jovi, do it right? I always encourage all of my guys, because my attitude was, “Bring the information back that you learn outside. It’ll only help us.”‘
‘So for whatever reason, he walked out, and then that was that. But I can’t defend or or accuse in any … and it’s just not worth it anymore. After so many years, I just … if you can’t figure [it out] or get it together, then it’s not on us, right? I love the man, heartbroken that he walked out on us.’
Last year Sambora said he had ‘a different perspective’ on the events that took place in Bon Jovi than what was depicted in Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, the Hulu docuseries about the band.
He told People that he felt the four-part docuseries did not reflect his story of how things went down with the rock band, as he thought it was primarily from the view of his former bandmate Bon Jovi.
‘It’s his project and it’s his perspective,’ said Sambora, who was interviewed in the project. ‘I have a different perspective on all of that.’
However, despite their bitter parting, the two watched most of the documentary together.
The original members of Bon Jovi, formed in 1983, were Bon Jovi (lead vocals), Sambora (lead guitar), David Bryan (keyboards), Alec John Such (bass), and Tico Torres (drums)
‘He came over and watched three parts of the docuseries at my house,’ the veteran rocket told the outlet.
The docuseries, which Gotham Chopra directed and produced, also included interviews with current and former members of the band – including keyboardist David, and drummer Tico – and its management team.
Sambora said that he had mixed feelings over parting ways from the popular musical ensemble, as he left the band’s tour and never returned.
‘I don’t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it, so I want to apologize fully right now to the fans, especially, and also to the guys because my feet and my spirit were just not letting me walk out the door.’
