Richie Sambora

Richard Stephen Sambora (born on July 11th, 1959), is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter who is the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi. Along with frontman Jon Bon Jovi, he forms the primary songwriting unit of the band. He is also a solo artist, having released two solo albums; Stranger in This Town in 1991, and Undiscovered Soul in 1998.

Born to a Polish father, Adam C. Sambora (family originally from Kraków as stated by Sambora), and an Italian mother, Joan Sienila. Sambora grew up in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey.^[1] He attended Woodbridge High School there. He began playing the guitar at the age of 14 following the death of guitar legend Jimi Hendrix in 1970. From his early days Sambora was strongly influenced by blues and 60s rock 'n' roll. His most important influences were Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Johnny Winter and Jimmy Page. He was also influenced by Spanish classical music and began a life long love of the Spanish guitar^{[citation needed]}.

Sambora has occasionally taken over as lead vocalist on some Bon Jovi songs, most notably "I'll Be There for You" when played live on the Bounce and Have a Nice Day tours. He has also performed "Stranger In This Town" (from the album of the same title) at various Bon Jovi concerts (most notably on Keep the Faith and These Days tours). One of the live performances of "Stranger In This Town", recorded during the Keep the Faith tour, was released on Bon Jovi's CD single "Dry County" in 1994. So far on the Lost Highway Tour he has been singing lead vocals on the songs "These Days" , and occasionally "Stranger in this Town".