April 27, 2009
Bon Jovi delivers rockin' good return on investment
Continue reading...When it came time for "I'll Be There for You," the frontman turned the mic over to guitarist Richie Sambora, who performed double duty and manned both lead guitar and vocals as his bandmate took a break backstage.
Sambora had no problem stepping up to the plate. He sounded good and hit all his notes – the high ones and the low ones, too.
The 49-year-old guitarist also won bonus points for his spot-on solos: While some might complain they were predictable and lacked improvisation, Sambora made the most of his time in the spotlight while never taking things too far or for too long.
Unfortunately, the seasoned axeman also showcased an unfortunate wardrobe evolution, starting with a wine-colored crushed velvet blazer and finishing with a snakeskin vest.
The guitarist wore two of his signature, equally awful hats, one reminiscent of “Six” from the '90s teen television show, “Blossom,” and another wide-brimmed number that looked like it came straight from Zorro's garage sale.
All the while, the guitarist sparkled with a beaded fringe wristband, a black sequins guitar strap, and a T-shirt with “blessed” bedazzled across the chest and a giant cross displayed on the back.
Posted by riesambo at 01:44 AM |
December 12, 2008
'Dark Streets' is paved with pretentious nonsense
Continue reading..."Dark Streets" is not a musical, though it does showcase original music performed by Etta James, Dr. John, Aaron Neville and Richie Sambora, among others. It's not a period piece, though it is set in a vaguely speak-easy-era city filled with moody lighting, chorus girls and cufflinks. It's not a comedy, though ridiculously stock characters say things like, "That new little pony of yours? She's the one riding you."
Posted by riesambo at 10:23 PM |
July 17, 2008
Review: Bon Jovi swings for the fences
Continue reading...So when Jon Bon Jovi climbed onto the stage at 8:42 p.m. Monday night, he was already attempting the impossible. In a vacuum, the band’s Monday night show at Madison Square Garden was entertaining. Jon’s voice was great; Richie Sambora’s guitar sounded almost as good here as it did in Newark.
Posted by riesambo at 05:53 AM |
July 15, 2008
Playing the Park
Highlights of the set included the funk-tinged "Keep the Faith" and Sambora's impassioned vocals on "I'll Be There For You."Continue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 06:20 AM |
Richie Sambora Scores in Central Park
Continue reading...It’s not taking away anything from Jon Bon Jovi’s amazing performance in Central Park last night to say that Richie Sambora almost stole the whole show with one song.
Posted by riesambo at 06:14 AM |
Bon Jovi Rocks New York's Central Park
The Bands Joins an Illustrious Group of Artists With the Same DistinctionBefore taking the stage, guitarist Richie Sambora expressed his excitement about the event.
"You get excited, especially for a show like this, because it's something we haven't done," he said. "It's one of the few things we haven't done."
Continue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 06:05 AM |
July 12, 2008
ESP SA-2 Richie Sambora Guitar
Continue reading...Designed by Richie Sambora and Chris Hofschneider of Times Square Guitars, the ESP SA2 Richie Sambora Guitar features a uniquely-shaped solid basswood body with a bolt-on maple neck. Two ESP LH-100 pickups provide warm, vintage humbucker tone. Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup provide for lightning fast transitions from rhythm to lead.
Posted by riesambo at 08:31 PM |
July 08, 2008
Bon Jovi does not disappoint
GROUP PLAYS FOR THOUSANDS OF FANS IN CENTENIAL PARKContinue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 06:25 AM |
April 07, 2008
Bon Jovi at the Honda Center
Continue reading...The band shows it can still rock after 25 years and will play Staples Center on Wednesday.
Posted by riesambo at 11:46 PM |
April 02, 2008
Richie Sambora Thanks Fans & Friends for Support
In his first public appearance since his DUI arrest, Richie Sambora gave a shout-out to an important group of people – his fans – during the Bon Jovi concert Monday night in Denver.
Near the end of the band's set, Jon Bon Jovi introduced Sambora to the crowd and then exited the stage. Sambora, sporting black leather pants and a long, purple overcoat, walked to the center-stage microphone and addressed the crowd:"Hello Denver," he said, as the crowd cheered. "I just want to thank everyone for their support. Sometimes friends need the help of their friends to get by. This next song is one that keeps coming back in my life and is current again ... ."
The crowd stayed on its feet while Sambora launched into a solo rendition of "These Days."
The singer is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on May 7.
Posted by riesambo at 08:45 PM |
Richie Sambora First Appearance Since DUI Arrest
Continue reading...It wasn't until the end of Bon Jovi's concert last evening in Denver, Colorado that Richie Sambora made his first public statement regarding his DUI arrest last week.
Sambora, after being introduced to the crowd by lead singer and longtime songwriting partner, Jon Bon Jovi, thanked the crowd for their support. Bon Jovi left the stage to allow Sambora the opportune moment to publicly state his feelings about the shocking turn of events for this respected rock musician.
Posted by riesambo at 06:32 AM |
SAMBORA PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS FANS
BON JOVI rocker RICHIE SAMBORA used the band's gig in Colorado on Monday night (31Mar08) to thank his fans for their continued support throughout his personal troubles.
The Living On A Prayer hitmaker's appearance at the Denver gig was his first public outing since he was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in California last Tuesday (25Mar08).
As the concert neared its end, frontman Jon Bon Jovi introduced Sambora to the crowd before letting him take the limelight as he left the stage.
And the guitarist - who was admitted to rehab last year (07) following a battle with alcoholism - used the time to express his gratitude for his fans' devotion.
He told the audience: "Hello Denver. I just want to thank everyone for their support. Sometimes friends need the help of their friends to get by."
Sambora is due in court for arraignment on 7 May (08).
Posted by riesambo at 06:27 AM |
March 21, 2008
March 19, 2008
Review: Daughtry holds his own with Bon Jovi
Continue reading...His onstage foil was guitarist Richie Sambora, who projected no small amount of nonmenacing rock-star charisma himself.
Posted by riesambo at 11:15 PM |
March 17, 2008
Bon Jovi has 'universal appeal'
Continue reading...It seems Toronto is like bad medicine, and bad medicine is what Bon Jovi needs. Tomorrow the rockers will set a new Canadian record by playing the Air Canada Centre for the fifth time in the same tour, making it the first time any touring act has played the same venue that many times. To mark the special performance the band will be giving away gifts, including a trip to London.
Posted by riesambo at 10:03 PM |
March 12, 2008
They'll be there for us
The only band to ever play five shows at the ACC on a single tour takes us backstageContinue reading...We make our way to the other side of the stage, where guitarist Richie Sambora is speaking to his guitar tech, Takumi Suetsugu. Sambora plays a chord and the sound powers through the ACC via 155 speakers.
Under the stage, Suetsugu places the guitar on a rack with more than a few others.
Just how many does Sambora travel with?
"Well, let's see, he usually has around 36 with him. I know I just sent eight back to his home and 16 more are coming. He just likes to switch things up, you know to keep things interesting," says Suetsugu, who adds Sambora uses about 10 different guitars a night. Is there anything Sambora is particularly picky about? "Everything," Suetsugu says.
In a hallway just behind the stage, a short distance from where two ice resurfacing machines are blocked in by sound equipment, Sambora is horsing around with members of the crew. The band caught a Chicago Rush-Philadelphia Soul arena football game Sunday – Bon Jovi and Sambora are part owners of the latter team – and the guitarist is demonstrating a mock tackle.
Yesterday was the band's day off, and the plan is to take Sambora – where else? – to guitar stores in town.
"I like everything (guitar-wise), that's my problem," he jokes.
"Well, for you, that's a good problem to have," says a crew member.
Sambora retreats to the ACC team locker rooms, which are being used as dressing rooms and crew offices, and Rew shows us the back of the stage, a semicircle he says can swivel to vertical, creating a surface that can backlight the band and act as a screen for projections.
Posted by riesambo at 09:09 PM |
Air Canada Centre, Toronto - March 10, 2008
Continue reading...TORONTO -- Talk about making a memory.
Bon Jovi triumphantly kicked off a three-night-stand at the Air Canada Centre last night that continues tomorrow night before wrapping up with a record-setting fifth night at the hockey hangar on Thursday, as the veteran New Jersey rockers played two earlier shows from their so-called Lost Highway tour at the ACC in early December.
Posted by riesambo at 06:32 AM |
March 06, 2008
Concert Report: Bon Jovi thrills fans with a big show
Continue reading...
Jon Bon Jovi, right, introduces Richie Sambora during last night's sold out concert at Mellon Arena.
Posted by riesambo at 10:49 PM |
March 04, 2008
Music Preview: Bon Jovi brotherhood helps Richie Sambora bounce back on tour
Continue reading...Just as Bon Jovi was releasing its latest album, "Lost Highway," last June, the band hit a bump in the road.
Richie Sambora -- suffering from depression and alcoholism and reeling from his divorce from Heather Locklear and the death of his father -- checked himself into rehab. The band had to play a few shows without its lead guitarist and key sidekick.
Posted by riesambo at 06:37 PM |
March 02, 2008
Concert Review: Bon Jovi - Bradley Center, Milwaukee, February 22, 2008
Continue reading...Not only did the audience provided additional background vocals with each song on their set list, but also after each song concluded they received a large ovation that varied in degrees. If that was not enough, Jon Bon Jovi entertained the audience with his storytelling as well as telling Richie and violinist Lorenza Ponce, “why don’t you two get a room.”� Richie Sambora also provided the vocals on “I’ll Be There For You” from the album titled New Jersey.
Posted by riesambo at 11:52 PM |
February 23, 2008
Review: Bon Jovi takes fans on a tour of his music
Continue reading...Guitarist Richie Sambora took vocal duties on "I'll Be There for You," the night's biggest power-ballad moment.
Posted by riesambo at 08:32 AM |
January 20, 2008
第二の故郷、５万人陶酔 ボン・ジョヴィ 東京ドームライブ
Continue reading...
欧米のヒット・チャートで１位となった昨年発売の最新アルバム「ロスト・ハイウェイ」が米カントリー音楽の要素を大胆に取り入れ、古くからのファンを心配させた米バンド、ボン・ジョヴィだが、２年ぶり１４回目の来日公演ではハード・ロック・バンドとしての自分たちをアピール。５万人の観客を熱狂させた。
Posted by riesambo at 09:40 PM |
December 15, 2007
Saddledome, Calgary - December 13, 2007
It seems like yesterday (actually it was this summer) that Jon, Richie Sambora and the crew were last in town, but that didn't stop them from strolling through Calgary again on the Lost Highway Tour. The show opened with the back-up band playing a cover of Hank Williams' original version of Lost Highway as Tico Torres (drums) and David Bryan (keyboards) arrived on stage followed by Sambora (on guitar) and then finally Jon. When Richie hit the strings the band segued into their version of Lost Highway (much different from that of the old country tune).Continue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 11:44 PM |
December 12, 2007
MTS Centre, Winnipeg - December 9, 2007
Continue reading...WINNIPEG - Not long ago, a certain bunch of Jersey-born radio staples sought to head their critics off at the pass by calling their boxed set 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can't Be Wrong.
Well, the ageless rockers only managed to draw about 16,000 of those fans to the MTS Centre last night. But even though that boxed set is just begging for a witty retort, we're still not about to argue with a single one of 'em.
And we're being facetious, of course, when we say "only 20,000." As any good Bon Jovi fan can tell you, tickets to last night's show sold out in a matter of minutes, meaning the Phone Booth was literally packed to the rafters by the time Jon, Richie and the rest took to the stage.
Posted by riesambo at 06:43 AM |
October 23, 2007
Still riding the train
Continue reading...Monahan's crisp vocals prevail as he powerfully sings "Someday." With a simple beat and accompanying choir voices, this song feels like a gospel praise song full of hope. Monahan sings, "Someday we'll be together / One day you'll be back in my arms again." And for a little trivia, Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora adds acoustic guitar to this song, making it even more memorable.
Posted by riesambo at 11:47 PM |
July 26, 2006
They like Bon Jovi, they love their Steelers
- They like Bon Jovi, they love their SteelersContinue reading...We find out Friday how prepared the Pittsburgh Steelers are to defend their Super Bowl title. One thing's for sure: Steelers fans are already in midseason form.
Posted by riesambo at 06:05 AM |
45,000 fans rock to Bon Jovi
Continue reading...45,000 fans rock to Bon Jovi as Steelers celebrate Super Bowl trophySome came for the Steelers. Some came for the music. Most came for the unique convergence of the two last night at Heinz Field, and most came away happy.
Posted by riesambo at 06:03 AM |
July 21, 2006
Bon Jovi Comes Home to New Jersey, With Sound and Hair Still Big
Continue reading...EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., July 18 — “I’m ready for whatever: rain, thunder, lightning, sleet, snow,” Jon Bon Jovi assured the crowd at Giants Stadium on Tuesday. “I’ve come home.” Of course the main reason his band sold out three nights at this 80,000-capacity behemoth is that he never really left.
Posted by riesambo at 06:17 AM |
Bon Jovi: a concert by the numbers
Continue reading...Were it possible to include such things in museums, Jon Bon Jovi's smile belongs somewhere between Jimi Hendrix's scarves and Roy Orbison's sunglasses. Impossibly white and astonishingly straight, it was visible from the floor level to the cheap seats at Giants Stadium Tuesday night, a frequently flashed miracle of modern dentistry.
Posted by riesambo at 06:11 AM |
Bon Jovi rocks sweltering stadium with old, new hits
Continue reading...Jon Bon Jovi began Tuesday's concert at Giants Stadium by daring the elements to mess with him.
Posted by riesambo at 06:08 AM |
Turning up the heat
Continue reading...Bon Jovi rocks sweltering Giants Stadium with hits old and new
Posted by riesambo at 06:04 AM |
June 10, 2006
Magic night of rock
Continue reading...BON JOVI set the standard for the Ricoh Arena last night.This is what the stadium was built for; to be the venue for top-class entertainment.And if you're into rock music they don't come any better than this.
Posted by riesambo at 05:37 AM |
BON JOVI HAMPDEN
Bon Jovi Hampden, Glasgow June 3 *****Continue reading...NEW Jersey pop-rock outfit Bon Jovi's hair may have been tamed but they proved they were still kings of stadium rock when they thrilled the 45,000 fans who packed out Hampden with a rollercoaster performance.
Posted by riesambo at 05:34 AM |
June 08, 2006
Bon Jovi, Hampden Park, Glasgow
Continue reading...One moment summed up this first night of the New Jersey rockers' UK arena tour more than any other, yet it featured the star of the show in name only. In one of the live camera's dalliances away from the strutting Jon Bon Jovi, it alighted on a pretty brunette by the flanks of the stage. She was sporting a short tartan skirt and a T-shirt bearing the words "Mrs Bon Jovi".
Posted by riesambo at 05:50 AM |
June 05, 2006
Munich - Sambora Jam
Richie was on stage with Ted Nugent.
baby please don t go (featuring richie sambora)
Continue reading...
29.05.2006 Munchen Elserhalle
Posted by riesambo at 11:31 PM |
April 27, 2006
March 11, 2006
Bon Jovi still ‘wanted dead or alive’
Continue reading...Jon Bon Jovi and Sambora had great stage presence. Sambora sang and performed a guitar solo during the song “I’ll be There for you,” which was brilliant.
Posted by riesambo at 07:09 PM |
Bon Jovi gives fans what they want
Continue reading...
Sambora has some moves of his own, those of a gum-chewing guitar god. Clad early on in his uniform of gaucho-style hat, long coat and large cross around the neck, the 46-year-old Sambora crafted some nice leads on such songs as 釘orn to Be My Baby� and 的'll Sleep When I'm Dead.�
Sambora knows his way around finger-blurring speed leads, and while some might contend that many of his solos sound similar, the screaming fans in Glendale certainly wouldn't be counted among those critics.
Sambora brought the house down when he took center stage to sing the early hit, 的'll Be There for You.� He sang and played with such passion that it's hard to imagine he's been performing the song since 1988.
Posted by riesambo at 07:03 PM |
Bon Jovi rocks Glendale Arena
Continue reading...Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was “punk’d” Thursday night during the band’s encore at Glendale Arena. Halfway through the group’s countrified rendition of their new single, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” a man dressed in a furry dog costume bounded across the stage and wrapped himself around a shocked Sambora’s leg.
Posted by riesambo at 09:19 AM |
March 08, 2006
Bon Jovi keeps it simple, and that's how fans like it
Continue reading...A tried-and-true blend of power-pop hooks and smoldering looks leaves 'em happy at a packed Staples Center show.
Posted by riesambo at 01:29 PM |
Bon Jovi returns to glory days in Seattle show
Continue reading...Bon Jovi went in and out in a blaze of glory Monday night.
Posted by riesambo at 07:03 AM |
March 06, 2006
Giving ’80s glam rock a good name
Continue reading...The band sounded amazing and the consensus was that Jon Bon Jovi is aging well and does not look 44, but the rest of the band has kind of let themselves go. Richie Sambora was looking a little jowly and the drummer had flabby arms. But it was a good show nonetheless.
Posted by riesambo at 07:20 AM |
March 03, 2006
Jon Bon Jovi lifts otherwise disappointing show in San Jose
Jon Bon Jovi lifts otherwise disappointing show in San JoseContinue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 09:09 AM |
February 25, 2006
Loyal Bon Jovi fans have hair-raising nice day
Continue reading...The hair may be smaller, but the bravado was as towering as ever.
Posted by riesambo at 11:07 AM |
Bon Jovi's rock recipe pleases fans
Continue reading..."After you come see this band live, you're going to be converted," Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora said late last year.
Um . . . got any other suggestions?
Posted by riesambo at 11:02 AM |
January 23, 2006
Live Review: Bon Jovi in Toronto
Bon Jovi makes smooth landing on ACC stageContinue reading...
Posted by riesambo at 11:30 AM |
January 22, 2006
Bon Jovi fills the bill
Continue reading...Arena-rock pros give devoted fans a solid, stunning serving of hits
Posted by riesambo at 11:13 PM |
January 20, 2006
Bon Jovi fans pack the house with energy
Continue reading...'80s pop metal faves look good, sound good, smoothly mix old, new
Posted by riesambo at 10:20 PM |