‘Nothing But Love’: Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s Epic ’80s Friendship in Photos

The longtime Bon Jovi bandmates had an epic musical partnership

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi onstage in Ontario in 2013. PHOTO: IGOR VIDYASHEV/ZUMAPRESS.COM/ALAMY

After hitting the high notes together for three decades, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora’s musical partnership came to an abrupt end in 2013, when Sambora, the lead guitarist, co-songwriter and founding member of Bon Jovi, quit the band without warning in the middle of their Because We Can world tour ahead of a sold-out show.

With months left to go on the tour and dozens of concerts scheduled, the band was left scrambling to find a replacement. More than that, they were left reeling from Sambora’s unexpected departure.

“There was no fight or money issues, like the reports say,” Bon Jovi told PEOPLE in 2016. “Nobody expected Richie to quit in the middle of the night for no reason. He wasn’t fired; he just didn’t come to work.”

Ultimately, the band soldiered on, completing the tour with new lead guitarist Phil X. And Bon Jovi has seemingly remained friendly with Sambora, telling PEOPLE recently that the two watched several episodes of Hulu’s new docuseries Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story together. “There’s never animosity,” the 62-year-old rocker said.

In that spirit, we’re looking back at the good times with these photos that showcase how Sambora and Bon Jovi’s friendship was the bedrock of their band’s success.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1984

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi onstage in 1984.MIDORI TSUKAGOSHI/SHINKO MUSIC/GETTY

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi rocked out together during Super Rock ’84 at Nagoya Stadium in Tokyo.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1993

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performing live in 1993.CLAYTON CALL/REDFERNS

The rockers went back to back at the Oakland Coliseum in California on March 14, 1993.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1995

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 1995.DAVE HOGAN/GETTY

The hair at this June 1995 show was just too good.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2007

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2007.RAY GARBO/SHUTTERSTOCK

It was all about the fist pumps for the band’s concert at Summerfest in Milwaukee in 2007.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2011

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2011.ETHAN MILLER/GETTY

The theatrics were there for a concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in March 2011 in Las Vegas.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2012

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performing in 2012. JESSE GRANT/GETTY

The pair’s friendship was on full display in 2012 as Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi performed during the MasterCard Priceless Los Angeles Presents GRAMMY Artists Revealed event.

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in February 2013.OWEN SWEENEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

Before he walked away, Richie Sambora was on hand for opening night of Bon Jovi’s Because We Can Tour in Washington, D.C., in February of 2013.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013.OWEN SWEENEY/SHUTTERSTOCK

The rockers had their happy faces on as the show continued.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2013.IGOR VIDYASHEV/ZUMAPRESS.COM/ALAMY

Richie Sambora kept up as the band hit Toronto in February of 2013, but by April, was no longer performing with the group.

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Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi in 2018

Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi at the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY

Showing that there weren’t hard feelings, Richie Sambora joined Jon Bon Jovi during the 33rd Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland in April of 2018.