Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has shocked fans by pulling out of the band’s world tour after he failed to join his band mates on stage in Canada in Tuesday night.
The Because We Can tour will continue as planned, but it has not yet been revealed who will replace Sambora.
A statement on the bands website read: ‘Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled.’
Jon Bon Jovi told the crowd last night: ‘I had two choices – pack up and go home or give you everything I got. Richie Sambora won’t be performing for a while. If there’s ever a night I need you, it’s tonight, Calgary!’
Jon only found out about Richie’s absence at 3:30pm the day of the show.
“Jon wants his friend to get well but is pissed that this happened,” a friend of the band tells Naughty But Nice Rob. “No one works harder than Jon. On show days his entire day is devoted to that performance in the evening. He keeps fit and looks after himself to give the best performance. He just does not understand why others do not.”
In 2011 Richie was left out of dates on the band’s touring schedule to attend rehab.