WireImage<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cI don\u2019t 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sambora elaborated on his decision to walk away, stating it was due to an \u201camalgamation\u201d of things, including \u201cdeep family problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI spent so much time being on the road,\u201d he continued, \u201cand at that time unfortunately, my ex-wife was having some mental health issues, and my daughter coming to an age where she could understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sambora added that Ava, now 28, \u201cneeded\u201d him.<\/p>\nIn 2024, Sambora (pictured above in May) explained, \u201cI don\u2019t regret leaving the situation, but I regret how I did it.\u201d therealsambora\/Instagram<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe performer (pictured above in 2014) added about his home situation, \u201cAt that time unfortunately, my ex-wife was having some mental health issues, and my daughter was coming to an age where she could understand.\u201d Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cI needed her, truthfully,\u201d he clarified. \u201cWe didn\u2019t have enough time.\u201d<\/p>\n
During a Q&A\u00a0that year, Bon Jovi, 64, revealed \u201cthere was never a fight\u201d that led to his longtime pal leaving.<\/p>\n
The songwriter explained that \u201csubstance abuse\u201d and \u201canxiety\u201d were involved, on top of Sambora being a single dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a lot of personal issues he was going through. But never to this day did any of us, me or him or David or Tico, ever have a fight,\u201d he insisted.<\/p>\nIn 2024, Bon Jovi (pictured here with Sambora in 1987) insisted there was never a fight that led to his guitarist\u2019s exit. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn 2025, meanwhile, the lead singer did admit that how Sambora (pictured here with Bon Jovi, Bryan, Torres and Such in 1985) left hurt his former bandmates. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBon Jovi added that because Sambora \u201chad some issues that he just couldn\u2019t wrap his head\u201d around, he chose to be home instead of on the road.<\/p>\n
Denying any \u201canimosity,\u201d the artist stated, \u201cAn integral part of my story for three of the four chapters was my right-hand man, asked to join my band and I was lucky to have met him. But life went on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, Bon Jovi reflected further on the \u201cheartbreak\u201d<\/a> he felt after Sambora left the group.<\/p>\n\u201cMy 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, \u2018I\u2019m sorry,\u2019 \u201d he said while on the\u00a0\u201cDumb Blonde\u201d\u00a0podcast in September 2025.<\/p>\nBon Jovi (pictured here with Sambora in 1984) opened up about his \u201cheartbreak,\u201d saying it took \u201cyears\u201d for Sambora to say sorry. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBon Jovi did note that Sambora (pictured here in 1985) is \u201ctalented beyond, beyond as a guitar player, as a singer, as a collaborator.\u201d Photo by Bill McCay<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHe added, \u201cThe great thing that I have said about him throughout our lives was you would be lucky to call him your friend, and I mean that \u2014 talented beyond, beyond as a guitar player, as a singer, as a collaborator. Wonderful right-hand man, awesome. Couldn\u2019t ask for more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Before Sambora\u2019s departure, the band released 12 studio albums together.<\/p>\n
Since 2013, Bon Jovi has put out three more \u2014 sans Sambora, who was replaced by guitarist Phil X.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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