Richie Interview in Total Guitar

Richie Sambora – Bon Jovi's axeman talks influences, live rigs and KISS make-up! 3-page interview!

One of TG's music editors (Chris Bird) blogged about Richie as well:

I've always loved Richie Sambora's playing – he just makes it look so effortless. At the height of the grunge era of the early 90s, when hair metal and bands wearing leather and/or spandex were seriously out of fashion, Richie's playing was a guilty pleasure of mine. Bon Jovi were often tarred with the cock-rock/hair metal brush back in the late 80s. This may be fair comment, but some pretty handy guitarists emerged out of the genre and Richie was among the best.

His guitar parts in Bon Jovi could never be described as just 'accompaniment'. His riffs are as integral to the band's songs as Jon's lead vocals. His solos always transform the direction of a song and take it somewhere new. Richie's ear for melody means he solos with the bare minimum of widdly-ness, but still with the odd searing lick thrown in for good measure. Examples? 'Livin' On A Prayer', 'You Give Love A Bad Name'. It seems pointless to make a list [err, we did any though, see the links - playlist Ed] – it's just Richie's thing. It's what he does and it's what makes his style so exciting.

I think it's easier to like a band's ballads – they appeal to all. Richie's melodic style is perfectly suited to them and – although admitting in a public forum that I rather like Bon Jovi's ballads isn't something I ever thought I'd do – they feature some of my favourite Sambora solos. The gorgeous tone in 'Lie To Me' and the bluesy acoustic 'Diamond Ring' (both from the 'These Days' album) spring to mind.

Given time, with a modest amount of commitment and practice, most players are able to play a few solos and improvise their own. Few rock guitarists manage to grasp Richie's knack for seamlessly integrating their solos into their songs, though. It's an art and Richie is a master. Of course, he's a multi-instrumentalist and maybe this explains his style.

So, if you want to get as good as Sambora go and bone up on your bass chops, take up the saxophone, the piano and the drums, and learn to sing, too. Richie's mastery comes from understanding every instrument in the band and playing in a way the complements every part. Oh, and it helps if you play with the same group for 27 years, too.

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Jon-The-Dwarf

Now, don't go getting all PC on me.  I mean as in one of Snow White's lil cartoony guys.

Grumpy.

Read for yourself and see what I mean.

It was worth meeting Jon Bon Jovi, just to feel good abut being dismissed by him. On reflection, I thought it was shaping up as ‘one of those days’ as we began our formal interview in one of the up-market rooms of London’s Oriental Mandarin hotel.

As our cameramen informed me that we were set and right to start, Jon slouched into his chair, showing no sign of wanting to remove his rock star sunglasses and show me the whites of his eyes.

With natural trepidation, I asked if it was possible to see his face and reluctantly he obliged but the die was cast. Clearly, he looked tired – which was not surprising given the gruelling tour schedule the band is currently subjected to – and from the outset, not too happy.

That said, it was terrific to be able to chat to a real survivor of the music industry and a genuine star who has guided his band through a hugely successful career which still sees them pulling bigger crowds than the likes of Madonna, The Police or even Bruce Springsteen.

Aside from his obvious talents as a musician, the thing that makes Jon Bon Jovi unique is the relationship he has with his regular band members. Jon is essentially the CEO of the whole ship. It’s his name on the record company contracts and he in turn “hires” the other three members of the band – Richie Sambora, Tico Torres and David Bryan. So Jon is the boss and when you see him in action, even in a pre-concert sound check, you can see that quite clearly.

It’s a formula that has worked extremely well for them but, once again, not really one they want to be reminded of. After what we thought was a productive yak with the band in the bowels of the London’s O2 stadium, we copped a phone call the next morning from Bon Jovi’s P.R flak who suggested we might have offended them.

We later discovered, to our surprise, that they didn’t like questions about the nature of their employment relationship with Jon.

It was a shame as they seemed like really decent guys and hadn’t even hinted at any problem when we were face-to-face but, anyway, back to their boss. Jon’s grumpy demeanour improved markedly when we finished the interview at the hotel and jumped into the van taking us to their concert.

He was happy and joking all the way to the stadium, at which point the band began the sound check and his intensity went into overdrive.

Forty minutes later, as he exited the stage and we approached him for what we thought was the final time, he looked to his minder and barked: “I’m through with these guys, I’m finished with them” and turned on his heels. Now, under normal circumstances, I would have thought it rude but something about the whole rock stereotype thing made it just right. Almost fitting.

I’ve talked to quite a few big stars, who, to a person, always exercise a little graciousness in making their goodbyes, no matter what they really think of the questions but I suppose in Jon’s case, when you have that much money and you look that good, you really have a license to do anything, don’t you?

Thanks L, for the link!

~ Hath

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Elton John's White Tie & Tiara Ball

In July 1999, Sir Elton John and David Furnish opened the doors of their Old Windsor home for the first White Tie & Tiara Ball. The 12th Annual White Tie & Tiara Ball was held on Thursday 24th June 2010. Set amongst 37 acres of rolling English countryside next to Windsor castle, the White Tie & Tiara Ball is a spectacular evening, raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since then, it has become an annual event hosted by Elton and David and one of the premier fundraising events of the UK. A highlight of the year’s social calendar, the ball always attracts a wealth of celebrities.... including our own JonBon!

Though he sported neither white tie nor tiara (lol) he cut quite the dashing figure -- as did his lovely wife and daughter.  Jon, I think the girls need tiaras.  Hell, even I have one (though it's rhinestones and not diamonds but still).

          

  

(Thanks Q & C, for the heads up and the photos!!)

~ Hath

David Interview on Better.TV

White Trash Beautiful ~ UK Launch (II)

Jon Bon Jovi played proud dad last night as daughter Stephanie Rose took to the catwalk for the launch of Richie Sambora's new fashion range White Trash Beautiful.

Stephanie Rose - who bares a striking resemblance to her rocker dad Jon Bon Jovi - made daddy proud as she modelled clothes from Richie Sambora's collection.

The blonde 17-year-old took to the runway alongside Frank Lampard's ex Elen Rivas to show off the rock-inspired collection.

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie, who created the line with designer and musician Nikki Lund, hosted the UK launch last night with a lavish party at the Indig02 in London’s O2 Arena.

Stephanie Rose looked absolutely beautiful, and wore the clothes like they were made for her. And I just love the proud papa grin on Jon!

~ Hath

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White Trash Beautiful ~ UK Launch (I)

OK, Jon, I know you're pissed at getting razzed about digging out your Michael Jackson Thriller jacket, but give us a real smile, huh?

~ Hath

      

If You're Gonna Cross-Dress

...man, put it into the "take it to the grave" category. According to this article on ContactMusic, Richie spilled the closet-crashing to Nikki Lund :)

Speaking ahead of the UK launch of the range at the Indig02 at London's O2 Arena tonight (23.06.10), Nikki told BANG Showbiz: "When the group didn't have the money to buy designer clothes they were still fashion trendsetters with their Spandex and stuff.

"Richie told me how they would take items from his mum's closet, like a scarf or something, and then tie it around their legs and it was really cool."

Although Richie sometimes cringes at what the 'Livin' On A Prayer' hitmakers wore in the 80s, he admits it worked for them at the time.

He said: "I look back at some of those pictures and go, 'What was I thinking?!' but it did work for us."

~ Hath

Inquiring Minds Wanna Know

So you've got questions you're DYING to ask of Jon Bon Jovi? Apparently, his staff wants answers, too. This article (totally hilarious) was dropped into my inbox by the ever-lovely Super Kiwi. Completely made my day.

A few of my faves:

Obie O’Brien, recording engineer: ‘What’s this button for?'
‘I don’t know and don’t want to know. That for you, sir, is called job security. If you work on a recording console, it’s got a hundred-and-some-odd knobs and dials on it. The truth is they’re laid out in strips. But if you didn’t know, you’d think that guy’s a genius for knowing how to work it. So if you asked him, “What’s that button for?” he could tell you and make it really simple, or he could continue that job security and not tell you.’

Anthony Piedmonte, tour assistant: ‘Will you ever run for office'
‘I’ll run from office is more like it. Who in their right mind would want to be a politician? It’s a thankless job. I was flying with my wife and President Clinton and a guy asked the two of us whose job was better. I said, “Mine, because I get to keep the house and the airplane.” ’

Glen the Finger, monitor engineer: ‘Besides you, who’s your favourite rock star?’
‘Elton John… greatest guy in the biz. Elton loves music. Elton is a fan of music. He buys records every week, he encourages young artists, he has taken more than one and made them into stars. Can you imagine getting a note or a call when you’re some nobody kid named James Blunt five years ago, going “Hi, it’s Elton John, I want to help you.” You’d probably just shit yourself.’

And Oz! He answered your question :)

Mike, rigger: ‘Why is your mic stand white?’
‘It was painted white in 1983. That’s not the original but it’s almost that old. I don’t remember why I painted it white, probably emulating somebody else, but I don’t recall who.’

The rest of the article, and a video from atop the O2, can be found here.

~ Hath

This Is Our House: Studio Track

Full, studio version! I've put the MP3 up to my Mediafire.



~ Hath

NZ TV Interview

Long hair, leopard skin tights and billowing silk shirts - yes, it's got to be a rock band from the 80's, the decade that taste forgot.

But after 27 years together Bon Jovi is still, believe it or not, one of the biggest music acts around.

Europe correspondent Paul Hobbs got a taste of the rock and roll attitude.

Watch the short interview here.

~ Hath

What the hell...

... is Jon's other hand doing? I can't quite tell from the look on his face....

Thanks Kiwi, for the much needed giggle this afternoon :)

~ Hath

70 Unique Songs?

Bon Jovi have revealed that they aim to play seventy unique songs during their residency at London's O2 Arena.

The US band are currently in the middle of their 13-night run at the venue, and have already played 54 different songs.

Singer Jon Bon Jovi said that he had been inspired by bakers to continually change the band's set list.

"Would you buy yesterday's bread from a baker? These set lists are all made fresh,” he said. “Delivered every night at 7:30...the delivery men wait outside my door, patiently for its arrival.”

Bon Jovi's run at the O2 Arena concludes with performances on June 23, 25 and 26.

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They're well on their way, though there are a few other different ways you can look at it.  First, look at the Jovi way.

[1] The Jovi way

It actually looks like the Jovi machine is counting them "properly" and leaving out the cover tunes.  As it should be.  Giving unique band/solo catalog tunes their due.  Yes, 54 of 70 in the bag.

[2] By The Setlists


If you look at the set-lists as published by bonjovi.com, and count up all the uniqueness, including the different flavors of bad Medicine (5 different Jukebox inserts), you, dear Londoners have gotten 62 of the requisite 70.

[3] By The  Band's Catalog


Then there's the purists.  The ones who say "the Juke and covers are nice, and yeah, we got a JB solo tune, but the BAND catalog -- what about that?"  OK, so weed out the Jukebox selections.  Take out the cover tunes.  Banish JB's solo tracks to the ether.  What does that leave you?  53 songs of the 70.

[4] The Literalist

Finally, look at it literally.  Any song sung counts as a unique song, right?  Technically speaking?  So taking into account each Jukebox selection.  Each band/solo catalog entry.  Each cover.  You've got 65 of 70.  Real close, but no banana; not yet.

So, looks like if Jon plans to deliver, he's got to give you another 5-17 unique songs over the final three shows.  Though, in JoviMath, it's only 16 tunes.  Whatever the number, you can bet I'll be counting!

~ Hath

PS: Want to know what the 54 are?


(You Want To) Make a Memory
Always
Bad Medicine
Bed of Roses
Blood Money
Blood on Blood
Born to Be My Baby
Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars
Diamond Ring
Dry County
Garageland
Happy Now
Have a Nice Day
Hey God
Homebound Train
I Love This Town
I'd Die For You
I'll Be There For You
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
In These Arms
It's My Life
Just Older
Keep the Faith
Last Man Standing
Lay Your Hands on Me
Let It Rock
Livin' on a Prayer
Living in Sin
Lost Highway
Love for Sale
Love's the Only Rule
Miss Fourth of July
Never Say Goodbye
Open All Night
Raise Your Hands
Runaway
Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
Something for the Pain
Something To Believe In
Summertime
Superman Tonight
The Radio Saved My Life Tonight
These Days
Thorn In My Side
Wanted Dead or Alive
We Got It Going On
We Weren't Born to Follow
When We Were Beautiful
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Whole Lot of Leavin'
Wild In the Streets
Wild Is the Wind
Work for the Working Man
You Give Love a Bad Name

The 9 others (the cover/Juke tunes)


Bad Case of Loving You
Chapel of Love
Hallelujah
Hot Legs
Mama's Got a Squeezebox
Paint it Black
Pretty Woman
Roadhouse Blues
Sympathy for the Devil

Memphis and Montego

Since winning the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Orchestrations, Best Original Score, & Best Book for a Musical of 2010, the cast recording went from #81 to #9 on the Billboard Charts!

On Friday, July 2nd, ABC will air the President making the finale address in "America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre". Tony-nominated Memphis star, Montego Glover, joins the star-spangled special by singing her knockout solo, "Colored Woman," and General Colin Powell will honor five distinguished veterans who have recieved the Medal of Honor.

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~ Hath

Richie at Marshall

Richie and Bobby took some time for themselves this week to visit Marshall.

Monday, June 21st, was an exciting day for Marshall, as we were honoured to have a very special guest visit us. Legendary Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora took a day out of his busy schedule while on tour in the UK and flew into Bletchley via private helicopter to pay us a visit!

Accompanied by second guitarist currently on tour with Bon Jovi, Bobby Bandiera, they enjoyed a tour of the factory and got the opportunity to try out a number of different amps right here in our on-site theatre. Richie purchased two 100 Watt 1959HW heads and two 1960 handwired cabinets. We also showed him a couple of prototypes of future units that he loved so much he wanted to buy there and then! Unfortunately being prototypes we were unable to sell them, but have allowed him to borrow them for the rest of the tour. You can check out Richie's brand new backline live at any one of their forthcoming shows.

My brother is a guitarist. Not professional, but in my mind pretty damned good. Trained for many years under the same instructor until he threw up his hands and said "I can't teach you any more. You know what I know." He now learns by listening to Italian and Spanish guitar masters, learning their techniques and songs by ear.

I digress.

He totally geeked out over these amps and wants to know if he can borrow them once Richie and Bobby are done with them. Just wants to try them out.

Rich/Bobby, let me know. I'll be at Gillette on the 24th. Section A2. Have your people find my people.

~ Hath

Richie Recording for Ray Davies

Back in February, we found out about a Ray Davies collaborative album.  There are a couple shots (though I don't know the source) of Richie taking some time during the London breaks to lay some vocals for the record.

~ Hath

Catching Up

I've been off-grid for several days, and have missed posting on lots of happenings around Jovidom.  I'll catch up, don't worry :) but I needed these days for family time.

This past Friday, we lost one of my son's great-grandmothers, my grandmother-in-law.  This was his first loss of someone he knew and loved, and it was extremely hard on him.  My little guy is incredibly sensitive and intuitive, and the sheer sense of loss was a bit overwhelming for him.

He was a trouper at the funeral home; going up to the casket with Mr. Hath and me to say a prayer, and was stoic throughout.  When it came time, though, for the service, and his grandfather made a very touching speech, ending in tears, he started to get sad as he figured out what "dead" really truly means.

When he saw his father crying, that's when he lost it.

The services were yesterday (Monday) and we spent today traveling back home.  Everyone's settled in now, and for the most part, have gotten through the majority of the grieving.  He still has a few moments of sadness, especially as our current bedtime-reading selections were gifts from Grammy's personal library gifted to Hathlet this past Christmas, and she had read these with him over the years.  But, for every sad moment he has, we remind him of a happy memory, and he's learning how to process the sadness.

Over the next couple days, I'll be catching up, as I'm off work for "bereavement leave" to attend to Hathlet's and Mr. Hath's needs, and they're "mostly through it" now (Hathlet's words, not mine).

I just ask you to be patient, and to visit the BJCT if you need a little dose of Jovi.  I'll catch up with a deluge of posts soon.

I'll also be sharing more of my "Panic" story, as many of you have emailed and asked for an update (thank you so much for caring), but for now, I need to get a bit of sleep.  It's been a rough buncha days around Casa de Hath.

Thanks for understanding,
Hath

Another One Bites The Dust

From Page Six:

PARTING is such sweet sorrow for Jon Bon Jovi and his longtime manager, Jack Rovner, who was fired this week after a number of snafus.

While no one will say anything unkind on the record, Rovner was seen around town crying in his beer because Jon told him, "I'm going in a different direction."

Rovner and his Vector Management were blamed for problems with the $1,000 VIP concert tickets sold in larger markets on the band's tour for their latest album, "The Circle." The VIP tickets were supposedto include a meet-and-greet with Bon Jovi and even a photo with the rock icon. But fans have been complaining they were never granted the promised access.

Rovner was also responsible for Jon doing an "artist in residence" stint at NBC, which blocked the band from promoting the album on other networks, and for the Showtime documentary "When We Were Beautiful," in which "Jon makes the rest of the band admit they are paid employees and owe everything to him," as one insider put it.

"Rovner recently sent his lawyer, Michael Guido, to ask Jon for a raise and was told he was lucky to have a job," said our source.

Bon Jovi e-mailed us: "Though I personally live for and love Page Six, I'm sorry to say that the tidbit you have received regarding the split between Vector Management and Bon Jovi is inaccurate. The boring truth is we decided to go in different directions and thanked both Jack and his team for a great job. He is and will remain a close friend and someone who I will be very grateful to for his dedication."

A spokeswoman for Vector Management said: "Jack and everyone at Vector are very proud of the work they did [with Bon Jovi] together over the last five years, including their first Grammy awards, first No. 1 chart debuts globally, and even a No. 1 on the country charts. Vector continues to represent the nation's top-selling acts, including Kings of Leon, Kid Rock, Dierks Bentley and many others."

New Zealand Dates!!

Rock icons Bon Jovi return to New Zealand in December with two shows as part of The Circle world tour.

Beginning Thursday, June 24th at 9am Local Venue Time, current members of Backstage JBJ will have access to purchase Fan Club Pre-Sale Tickets and VIP Packages for the following shows:

December 4th, 2010 - Wellington, New Zealand - Westpac Stadium
December 5th, 2010 - Auckland, New Zealand - Mt. Smart Stadium

Tickets will go on sale on Thursday 8 July.

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~ Hath