BON JOVI guitarist RICHIE SAMBORA began his musical career in his teens and made a name for himself around New York with Bruce Foster's SHARK FRENZY, MERCY before joining the New Jersey based MESSAGE. With this latter act he recorded a mini album alongside bandmates Dean Fasano (later to join PROPHET) and Alec John Such, with whom he was reunited in BON JOVI in 1983.

The ensuing multi-platinum international success of BON JOVI allowed Sambora the freedom to take a solo diversion in 1991 for the 'Stranger In This Town' record. The release was much anticipated by BON JOVI fans as Sambora had surprised many with the quality of lead vocals on previous tours.

The album included a valuable contribution from ERIC CLAPTON. Others involved were KING CRIMSON bassist Tony Levin, JOURNEY bassist Randy Jackson, his BON JOVI colleagues keyboard player David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres. The tracks 'The Answer' and 'One Light Burning' would be co-compositions penned with SHARK FRENZY colleague Bruce Foster. Ex-SHARK FRENZY bassist Tom Marolda also donated his songwriting talents too, scoring credits on 'Ballad Of Youth'. Earlier, the Sambora / Foster axis had also written 'Trail Of Broken Hearts' as CHER's contribution to the 'Days Of Thunder' movie soundtrack.

Having enjoyed a reputation for dating glamourous actresses, Ally Sheedy and Cher being two of his past girlfriends, the amiable guitarist finally settled down and married actress Heather Locklear, former wife of MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child, Ava Elizabeth, on October 4, 1997.

Sambora spent much of 1997 working on his much anticipated second solo album, 'Undiscovered Soul'. The album finally emerged in firstly in Japan before a worldwide release in early 1998. Produced by Don Was, much of the new album was co-written with occasional AEROSMITH collaborator Richie Supa. The album also included a version of the song co-written with ex-AVIATOR frontman Ernie White that originally appeared on White's 'Scenes From America' solo album. Amongst the other contributing musicians to the project were WALLFLOWERS members Chuck Leavell and Rami, noted session drummer Kenny Aronoff, and none other than BILLY PRESTON on keyboards.

Away from the album, Richie collaborated with Japanese musician / actor Takashi Sorimachi on a track entitled 'Forever'. This was subsequently used as the theme tune to Sorimachi's domestic soap opera 'Beach Boys'.

Taking to the road, Sambora hit Britain with a show at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire in July and a second date in Manchester. Sambora's band comprised of AEROSMITH associate guitarist Richie Supa, ex-BLUE OYSTER CULT and UTOPIA bassist Kasim Sulton, keyboard player Tommy Mandel, ex-THE STORM and FOREIGNER drummer Ron Wikso and backing vocalist Crystal Telefarro.

Sambora linked back up with BON JOVI once more for their 'Crush' album. The guitarist's track 'One Last Goodbye' found inclusion on the soundtrack to the 2002 groupie movie 'The Banger Sisters' starring Goldie Hawn and Susan Sarandon. In mid 2005 Sambora aided 'American Idol' star BO BICE on his recording of the IDES OF MARCH song 'Vehicle'.