Band may headline Glastonbury
Richie Sambora has hinted that he may reunite with Bon Jovi next year for a headlining performance at Glastonbury. Sambora, who quit the band in 2013 to spend more time with his then teenage daughter, tells the UK’s Metro that a reunion is possible.
“It’s a possibility. We’re talking a bit,” he says cheekily.
The guitarist shared the thought during a red carpet interview at The Music Industry Trust Awards at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on November 7th. He also shared memories of performing on the Pyramid Stage with country star Dolly Parton in 2014.
“It was the first time I played Glastonbury but just playing with her was just tremendous. She’s a friend through other friends and she covered [Bon Jovi’s ‘Lay Your Hands On Me],” Sambora says. “She’s a sweetheart and she’s that good. Consummate professional and she’s still here, what a legacy. Amazing.”
As of press time, the Glastonbury lineup hasn’t been announced.
Sambora and his Bon Jovi bandmates last reunited when the group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. The appearance and four song medley performance marked the first time in five years that Sambora had shared the stage with the group. It was also the first time in 24 years original bassist Alec John Such, who passed away earlier this year, had reunited publicly with the band since being replaced by longtime bassist Hugh McDonald in 1994.
Sambora abruptly left the band during their Because We Can Tour in 2013 for “personal matters.” The decision sparked numerous rumors of him being fired, Sambora telling frontman Jon Bon Jovi to “hire The Edge,” being given an ultimatum, and Jon simply stating “there’s been no fight” with Sambora. Sambora had always planned to rejoin the band, but ultimately was replaced by Phil X, who filled in for Sambora during part of the group’s 2011 trek when Sambora entered a rehab facility for the second time for alcohol and prescription drug abuse.