Full name: Richard Stephan Sambora.
Academic Degrees: Honorary Doctorate Degree in Human Letters from Kean University.
Nickname: "The King of Swing".
Birthdate: July 11, 1960.
Born: Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Current place of residence: Los Angeles, CA.
Height: 6 ft 1 inch.
Marital Status: Married to actress Heather Locklear.
Children: Ava Elizabeth, who was born on October 4th, 1997.
Former bands: Mercy, Duke Williams, The Extremes,
Richie Sambora and friends.
Intruments: Guitar, piano, sax, trumpet.
Favorite bands: Led Zeppelin.
Favorite food: Burgers.
Pets: Two dogs named Harley and LambChop.
Favorite drink: Beer.
Favorite sport: Basketball (fan of the LA Lakers).
For up-to-date exclusive information on Richie Sambora visit his official website: www.richiesambora.com

 

 

Richie Sambora's biography.
 

 

Richie Sambora is one of music's most talented and respected songwriters, singers, lead guitarists and producers. Sambora has been a member of Bon Jovi since the band's inception in 1983, he has toured the world several times over and has collected sixty-eight gold and platinum albums from around the world. The group Bon Jovi is the only hard rock band in history to have back to back #1 albums and four #1 singles, and all were co-written by Richie Sambora: "Bad Medicine," "I'll Be There For You," "You Give Love a Bad Name" and "Livin' on a Prayer." In addition 14 million copies of Slippery When Wet and 10 million copies of New Jersey were sold around the world, with the band's first two albums, Bon Jovi and 7800 Fahrenheit, rapidly closing in on the double platinum mark.
 

 

Sambora was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and raised in Woodbridge. He got his first guitar in 1971 when he was twelve, and started playing in bands three years later. A diversified music listener, Sambora comes from a background of Beatles, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter, Led Zeppelin, "a lot of blues stuff," and his range of listening goes from Peter Gabriel to Metal Church to Tchaikovsky. Sambora was given the opportunity to explore all of his musical avenues when he was afforded the making of his solo record, Stranger In This Town. "Mr. Bluesman," a single on the album was inspired by Clapton and Clapton agreed to play lead guitar on the track, fulfilling a dream for Sambora.
 

Sambora has also written and/or produced songs for Alice Cooper, Desmond Child and others. Sambora has the title track "Guitar Man" on Les Paul's album, an unsurpassable honor for a guitarist and Skid Row, a mutual project of Sambora and Bon Jovi, sold four million records.
 

In 1994, the band released Cross Road, a greatest hits collection that would re-establish the group among rock's top international acts. Cross Road also went on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide and yield a new smash single "Always." In July of 1995, Bon Jovi will be releasing their next album, These Days -- drawing on roots that were planted and bonds that were formed twelve years ago.
 

Sambora's desire to expand and explore diverse avenues of music promises longevity as an artist, songwriter and producer well into the '90's and beyond.
 

His second solo album is called "Undiscovered Soul" and it was released in Japan first and in the rest of the world its release date was february, 1998.
 

Along with this album he made a promotional tour in America and Europe.
 

Sambora divides his time between Los Angeles and New Jersey with his wife, actress Heather Locklear. They are the parents of a daughter, Ava Elizabeth, who was born on October 4th, 1997.
 

Richie Sambora Received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Kean University on Thursday, May 6th, 2004 at the 149th Commencement Ceremonies. The university which is based in Union, New Jersey held the graduation exercises at the PNC BANK ARTS CENTER in Holmdel, New Jersey. RICHIE arrived early for the President's Breakfast where he met the University President, the faculty and staff (as well as some students) and was joined by his parents, Joan and Adam. To read the speech Richie gave.
 

After a Commencement Address by The Honorable James E. McGreevey, Governor of the State of New Jersey, and words from several graduating students and other Honorary Doctorate receipients, Richie took to the podium as 'Livin' On A Prayer' was pumped through the sound system - and again, the crowd went wild. After being presented a diploma and framed certificate, a Board Trustee member placed the collar around his neck bestowing upon him the Doctorate of Humane Letters as 'Livin' On A Prayer' played again. Richie gave a short speech to the students (not only did he get a few big laughs, he got a standing ovation.) Following the graduation he did was most graduates do - rush off to a celebratory meal with Mom and Dad!