Biography
Who is Richie Sambora?
Early life and background
Richard Stephen Sambora was born on July 11, 1959, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He grew up in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, and graduated from Woodbridge High School in 1977. His mother was a secretary and his father worked as a factory foreman. During his school years, he played basketball and was part of a team that won a state title in 1975.
His first musical instrument was the accordion, which he started playing at the age of six. He later took up the guitar at the age of twelve after the death of Jimi Hendrix in 1970. He drew strong musical influences from blues and 1960s rock and roll music.
Joining Bon Jovi
Richie Sambora joined the rock band Bon Jovi in 1983 as their lead guitarist and backing vocalist. After seeing the band perform live, he approached Jon Bon Jovi backstage and soon received an invitation to rehearse. Jon hired him on the spot after hearing him play with the group. That same night, the pair wrote the songs Come Back and Burning for Love for the debut album.
As a key member of the lineup, he contributed major songwriting and guitar work to the group's most successful albums. The 1986 release Slippery When Wet spent eight weeks atop the Billboard 200 chart and featured hit singles like You Give Love a Bad Name and Livin on a Prayer. The follow-up album New Jersey also reached number one in multiple countries and produced multiple top ten hits on the Billboard Hot 100.
Solo music career
Alongside his work with the band, Richie Sambora pursued a solo career and released several studio albums. His debut solo album, Stranger in This Town, arrived in 1991 and featured a blues-influenced sound with guest contributions from Eric Clapton. The album reached the Billboard 200 chart and included the single Ballad of Youth.
His second solo release, Undiscovered Soul, came out in 1998 and was produced by Don Was. He supported the album with a tour that included stops in Japan, Australia, and Europe. Fourteen years later, he released his third solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown, in September 2012. He also formed a musical duo named RSO with Orianthi, releasing the debut album Radio Free America in 2018.
Birthday and age
Richie Sambora was born on July 11, 1959, which makes Richie 67 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Richie shares the date with 36 other famous people.
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