Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora recently spoke out after facing criticism and personal attacks on social media, revealing that his recent comments came during a period of personal loss following the death of his mother.
Richie Sambora addresses fan backlash
In a post on X, Sambora thanked fans for their support and explained that his recent engagement online was partly a way of coping with grief.
“My mom passed a few days back and it was fun to talk with ya’ll,” he wrote, while pushing back against claims that he was venting bitterness or resentment.
Sambora addressed accusations that he was jealous, angry, or “old,” dismissing them outright after a Michael Anthony and Van Halen comparison.
“None of that happening here,” he wrote, adding that the questions he answered came directly from fans and that his responses involved “public knowledge.”
He also expressed disbelief at being labeled a Nazi during the exchange, calling the accusation “new” and “touchy,” before signing off with a blunt goodnight.
In a follow-up post, Sambora took direct aim at critics he felt were making uninformed assumptions about his past and his departure from Bon Jovi. He stressed that relationships—particularly within massively successful bands—are rarely simple.
“Every relationship in any walk of life is different… and can get very complicated,” Sambora wrote, questioning whether critics had firsthand experience in a “mega successful band” or understood how changes in the music industry affect artists over time. He also noted that many critics were unaware of his recent family loss.
Sambora stopped short of attacking fans, making it clear he was not judging anyone. Instead, he reaffirmed his connection to Bon Jovi’s audience and his role in the band’s history. “If you were a Bon Jovi fan you were a fan of mine,” he wrote, calling himself “an integral piece of 32 years of planetary success.”
He closed by underscoring what he sees as undeniable: “Facts are facts my man. We all get there different ways.”
The posts offer a rare, candid look at Sambora’s emotional state and underscore how personal grief, public legacy, and fan expectations continue to collide long after one of rock’s most famous lineups fractured.
Hey everyone, before I hit the sack I’d like to thank everyone for cheering me on me up yesterday..my mom passed a few days back and it was fun to talk with ya’ll. Someone said I was airing grievances, no grief except my mom, another said I was jealous, and angry, oh and old.…
— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) January 31, 2026
Sorry pal , once again, every relationship in any walk of life is different from each other and can get very complicated. You my man are taking an uneducated guess.. have you been in a mega successful band? As the music buissness changed under your feet? Do you know these guys or… https://t.co/rU0PjpZZ9w
— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) January 30, 2026
