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Richie Sambora drops out of Bon Jovi tour

Los Angeles - Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora has dropped out of the current leg of the rock band's tour because of "personal issues", but the guitarist, who has done stints in rehab for problems with alcohol, tweeted fans on Wednesday that he was "well."


Sambora, 53, who spent time in rehab in 2007 and 2011 for alcohol and prescription drug abuse, was not included at Bon Jovi's performance in Calgary, Alberta, on Tuesday and the band said he would miss a run of North America concerts.

"Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg. All shows will go on as scheduled," said a statement on the band's website on Wednesday, offering no other details or when Sambora might resume performing.

Long-running tension

Sambora also missed Bon Jovi's 2011 North American and European tours.

Celebrity website TMZ.com, citing unnamed sources connected to the band, said Sambora's absence was due to long-running tension between the guitarist and singer Jon Bon Jovi.

Bon Jovi is scheduled to perform this week in Edmonton, Alberta, and Winnipeg, Manitoba, and St Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday.

The Because We Can tour's April dates include Los Angeles, Denver, Las Vegas and other cities before international appearances kick off on 7 May in Cape Town and 11 May in Johannesburg.

The band is set to play in Sweden, Germany, Britain, Spain, Poland and Italy before returning to the United States in July.

The remaining band members, consisting of David Bryon, Tico Torres and Jon Bon Jovi will now have to continue their tour without Sambora.

Idols SA season 6 winner Elvis Blue will open for the group during their tour in SA.

Limited tickets are still available for the shows are still available via Computicket.

Bon Jovi Because We Can tour itinerary and ticket prices:

Cape Town
7 May
Cape Town Stadium
Tickets from R325 – R975

Johannesburg
11 May
Soccer City Complex
Tickets from R325 – R975
Limited VIP Tickets available from R1 850

- Channel24
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