Richie Sambora heading Down Under for solo shows

Rocker Richie Sambora is heading to Australia for a series of solo concerts in the New Year (14), nine months after quitting Bon Jovi’s 2013 tour. The guitarist sparked questions about his future with the band in April (13), when he abruptly pulled out of the group’s live dates due to a “personal matter”, prompting some to speculate that he had fallen out with frontman Jon Bon Jovi over money.
Sambora recently opened up about the real reason behind his departure, insisting he simply wanted to spend more time with his teenage daughter Ava, but now he’s preparing to hit the road on his own.
However, the musician is adamant he will be reuniting with his bandmates at some point in the future.
He tells TMZ.com, “Everything’s cool. It (Bon Jovi’s world tour) is almost over, actually I’m gonna be doing some Australian (solo) dates in January. (We will reunite) sometime… It’s not a forever thing.”
Ironically, Sambora’s shows Down Under will take place just weeks after the Livin’ On A Prayer hitmakers wrap up the seven-date Aussie leg of their Because We Can trek.
Sambora released his third solo album, Aftermath of the Lowdown, last year (12).