Richie Sambora, (born Richard Stephen Sambora on July 11, 1959 in Woodbridge, New Jersey) is best known as the lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, handles harmony and background vocals, and joins front man Jon Bon Jovi in writing most of the band's songs over the course of their twenty-five year run. He has also released two solo albums, Stranger In This Town in 1991, and Undiscovered Soul in 1998. Sambora attended Woodbridge High School. His main influences were Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Joe Kmiecik. ...show more

Richie Sambora, (born Richard Stephen Sambora on July 11, 1959 in Woodbridge, New Jersey) is best known as the lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, handles harmony and background vocals, and joins front man Jon Bon Jovi in writing most of the band's songs over the course of their twenty-five year run. He has also released two solo albums, Stranger In This Town in 1991, and Undiscovered Soul in 1998. Sambora attended Woodbridge High School. His main influences were Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and Joe Kmiecik.

Richie played on a recently released album called Lessons from a band called "Message". The album was recorded in the early 1980s. His guitar work is also featured on the track Misery on Pink's 2001 album Missundaztood with Steven Tyler. In 2004, Sanctuary Records released a self-titled album which had been recorded in 1978 by Shark Frenzy, documenting Sambora's first recorded material.

The mix tapes had been damaged in a flood and it had taken band member Bruce Foster to remaster them for them to be released so many years later. Richie got his first guitar when he was just 12 years old. Throughout his career as a guitarist, Richie has displayed an impressive knack for feeling out a guitar solo to the point that it not only follows the key of the song, but the chord progression as well. His technique displays remarkable variety - his soloing in "Wanted Dead or Alive" is laden with artificial harmonics, whereas his riffing for "Livin' on a Prayer" makes extensive use of palm muting. ...show less