Bon Jovi guitarists reunite + new Keep the Faith remix

On the back of last year's somewhat unexpected Pitbull-Bon Jovi collaboration comes Armin Van Buuren's remix of "Keep the Faith", which was officially released on 28 February.

The track had made its debut at Ultra Music Festival in Miami, when Armin brought Jon on stage as a surprise guest and Jon got to jump around in his Hampton Water trucker cap without having to sing anything. (Not trying to be snarky, just making an observation, lol.)

And here's the extended mix:

It's not really my jam, to be honest... but Bon Jovi's had some awesome songs (including "Keep the Faith") and if stuff like this compels someone new to give them a shot, I'm all for that. Spread Bon Jovi like a beautiful musical disease, I say! Or a social disease. 'Cause a deluxe version of Slippery When Wet featuring 7 additional tracks (live or alternate versions) is available now. See what I did there? 😉

Anyway. The day before Armin's "Keep the Faith" came out, the Rock for Responders benefit concert for Los Angeles’ firefighters and first responders was held. Richie Sambora joined Phil X and Orianthi -- who were part of Matt Sorum's Kings of Chaos supergroup for the event -- on stage to perform lead vocals and guitar on "Livin' on a Prayer". Check it out:

Look, it's kinda messy, I won't lie. And I'm no body language expert but I'm pretty sure Phil had no idea what Richie was doing on the night and was just going along with whatever. But I don't think Richie has anything coming up that he would have been rehearsing for so some rustiness is to be expected as well, especially as he was a late addition to the lineup. It's still a cool moment to have on tape. 

They were also all together for the final jam of the night, a performance of blues-rock standard "Going Down":

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Feel free to share your thoughts below. 😊

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RSO album Radio Free America out now

RSO's debut album, Radio Free America, was officially released on May 11. It contains songs from their EPs, Rise and Making History, a couple of songs that were released ahead of Valentine's Day, as well as new tracks "Hellbound Train" and "Blues Won't Leave Me Alone".

Here's the full track list:

1. Making History
2. We Are Magic
3. Rise
4. Take Me
5. Masterpiece
6. Walk With Me
7. I Don't Wanna Have to Need You Now
8. Truth
9. Together on the Outside
10. Good Times
11. Forever All the Way
12. I Got You Babe [Sonny & Cher cover]
13. One Night of Peace [Modern Mix]
14. Blues Won't Leave Me Alone
15. Hellbound Train [Savoy Brown cover]

You can buy or stream Radio Free America via this link.

RSO releases I Got You Babe & Forever All the Way

RSO has dropped some more new tunes. One is a Richie Sambora-led original, "Forever All the Way", which I really liked on the first listen. The other is a cover of Sonny & Cher's "I Got You Babe", which RSO has been teasing for a long time, even describing themselves as "Sonny & Cher on steroids" on numerous occasions since getting together. Given Richie dated Cher after she divorced Sonny Bono, I always found the comparison a little odd but that's not my thing to judge. 😉 I will say that I enjoyed RSO's version of the song a lot more than I'd expected to.

The new tracks came out on February 9 and were billed as a Valentine's Day present to fans, presumably because they're both love songs.

You can buy (download) or stream "I Got You Babe" and "Forever All the Way" via this link.

You can also listen to them on YouTube.

RSO - "I Got You Babe":

RSO - "Forever All the Way":

New RSO EP, Making History, out now

Following the release of their debut EP in September, RSO's second EP Making History came out on December 15. It features the following tracks:

1. Making History
2. We Are Magic
3. Walk With Me
4. Together on the Outside
5. I Don't Want to Have to Need You

Making History is available on iTunes and the RSO website. A Richie Sambora solo track, "One Night of Peace", was included if you pre-ordered the EP from RSO's website, but is now available on iTunes as an RSO track.

Making History is a bit more rock, and therefore probably not as unexpected, as Rise was. Based on the first couple of listens, I think I prefer it to Rise.

You can listen to Making History on Spotify:


"One Night of Peace" can also be streamed on Spotify:

RSO EP Rise out now

Rise, the debut EP by Richie Sambora and Orianthi's duo RSO has finally been released. (It's been four-and-a-half years since Richie left Bon Jovi, and almost four years since he met Orianthi. Plus we've heard a lot of "soons" in response to when their new music was coming out.) The track list is as follows:

1. Rise
2. Masterpiece
3. Truth
4. Take Me
5. Good Times (feat. k-os)

I know some fans are a bit disappointed that after such a long wait, there are only five tracks being released. But it's been reported (though not officially announced as far as I'm aware) that Rise will be followed by a second EP, before a full album in 2018.

(UPDATE 30/09/17: RSO's e-newsletter and website confirm that Rise is the first of two projects to be released in 2017, with a full-length album coming next year.)

Rise was leaked last weekend so I've actually been listening to it for a few days. It's far from the guitar-driven record I was expecting when I first heard that Richie and Ori were working on new music together, but not a total shock after they debuted "Truth" live at NAMM earlier this year:

Anyway, Rise is a pretty diverse collection of songs. I'm hearing some country and RnB influences, among other things. It's grown on me over the past few days, and I have now bought a copy.

Listen to "Masterpiece":

You can purchase Rise on iTunes and Amazon. (UPDATE 30/09/17: If you get it via the RSO website, you'll receive a reggae remix of "Good Times" as a bonus track.)

You can also stream Rise in its entirety on Spotify:


Have you downloaded or listened to the EP? What do you think?

In defence of Richie Sambora

RSO copped some flak during their Australian tour, with Richie Sambora receiving the brunt of it (although I've also read some disgusting comments about Orianthi that I doubt she'd be getting if she were male). Their Melbourne show was thoroughly slammed by fans on Richie's own Facebook page (these comments have since been deleted). Fan reviews from the Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane gigs were generally more positive, but then RSO performed at the NRL Grand Final pre-game show and it kind of went downhill again.

Social media was even comparing RSO's NRL Grand Final performance to Meat Loaf's performance at the 2011 AFL Grand Final, a comparison I found to be rather hyperbolic.

Here's RSO at the NRL.

And here's Meat Loaf at the AFL.

Obviously I am biased towards RSO, but given Bat Out of Hell is one of my all-time favourite albums, I love me some Meat Loaf too. And whatever you think of Richie or Ori, it was nowhere near as bad as that.

I thought "Wanted Dead or Alive" was fine. I'd have preferred them to do one of their respective solo songs rather than "Livin' on a Prayer" -- if any song is going to expose your vocal limitations, it's "Prayer". And because it's such a recognisable song when performed electric, everyone notices when you don't do the key change, or try to alter the song to fit your voice. To be honest, Jon Bon Jovi can't really sing it anymore either, but he has the luxury of being able to point the microphone towards the crowd and have tens of thousands of people sing the chorus for him. RSO doesn't.

In all honesty, being a Richie fan can be a roller coaster ride. He's got his well-documented demons. He makes up BS excuses when he cancels shows. He's not the easiest person to love. But then I put on a track like "Father Time" and remember why I do still love him.

Anyway, I'll finish this post with a video of Richie performing "Harlem Rain" at Enmore Theatre in Sydney. More solo stuff (from both Richie and Ori) and fewer covers is what I'd like to see from an RSO show (along with whatever they've come up with together, once it's released). They skipped out on Perth this tour, but I still haven't given up hope that I'll see them someday.

Sambora fans unhappy with his performance

As some of you know, I was all set to go to RSO's concert at Metro City in Perth until it got cancelled. A couple of people have since messaged me suggesting I may have dodged a bullet, after fans went on Richie Sambora's Facebook page to vent their anger at his performance at Melbourne's Margaret Court Arena.

Noise11 has summarised some of the comments, but the general consensus seems to be:

• RSO came on stage an hour late with no apology or explanation;
• Richie appeared drunk or stoned and didn't know the lyrics;
• Orianthi did a good job of trying to hold the show together on her own;
• There were too many Bon Jovi songs and covers, only one solo Sambora song, and none of the promised new material from the upcoming RSO album;
• Fans left early and are trying to get refunds.

It's worth noting that the concert in Adelaide, which is Orianthi's hometown, didn't attract the same level of vitriol. Most fans I heard seemed happy with the Adelaide show, and while there was criticism of the set list, it was mainly from people who hadn't been there. So who knows what sort of performances Sydney and Brisbane are going to get?

Here is RSO's cover of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" from Adelaide:

And their version of "Wanted Dead or Alive" from Melbourne:

Have you seen RSO on their Australian tour so far? What did you think?

Richie Sambora on songwriting, RSO and Bon Jovi

First things first. I shared this video on Blame It On The Love's Facebook page two weeks ago, but I'm going to post it here because I think it's really sweet. Even if it was possibly staged for the media. It's the video of Richie Sambora and Orianthi congratulating Bon Jovi on their new single, which was posted on both Facebook and Twitter. Jon (or someone on behalf of Jon) replied on both sites.

Congrats to all the guys on the new single! @BonJovi pic.twitter.com/zTiw9MhTYh

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) 18 August 2016

@TheRealSambora thanks Richie and Orianthi . Look forward to hearing your record too...all the best, JBJ

— Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) 18 August 2016

Anyway, Richie and Orianthi (aka RSO) are hitting my hometown of Perth next month, and I have tickets so I'm pretty excited. (Funnily enough, a Bon Jovi tribute band from Melbourne is also playing in Perth that night. I'm guessing that show was planned before RSO announced theirs.)

I saw Richie and Ori at Soundwave back in 2014, but it'll be good to see them do their own show rather than a festival this time.

(EDIT 20/9: RSO cancelled their Perth show, ostensibly due to recording commitments, but anyone with half a brain knows it was due to poor ticket sales. It's a lot like that time Richie conveniently got sick just before his US shows that weren't selling well.)

Anyway, Richie was interviewed on Mix 94.5 today. He talked about songwriting, working with Orianthi and producer Bob Rock, and his charity work. Listen to the interview here.

Richie also spoke to News Corp in an article that was published today. He said there was no bad blood between him and Jon, and that he was open to the possibility of a reunion with Bon Jovi:

“There’s no malice. Jon and I talked just a week ago. Everything is cool. They’re on a different trajectory, I’m on a different path. Plus I wanted to go out and sing.

“People conjugate a story that there’s problems. No. You spend 30 something years in a band. That’s a long time. Not a lot of bands have that kind of longevity. We weren’t a band who took any breaks. The Rolling Stones or U2 will take three years off so they have a life, we didn’t really do that ever. The 30 years we put in probably felt like 50 years.”

He also described the upcoming RSO album as "Sonny and Cher on steroids". Read the full article here.

Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora sing Livin' on a Prayer at wedding

If you're on social media at all you've probably already seen this moment already. It was even lampooned on The Project here in Australia. But in case you've missed it, Jon Bon Jovi was recently filmed singing Livin' on a Prayer during a wedding at which he was a guest. Jazz singer Lourdes Valentin and her band were officially providing the entertainment, but the "encouragement" from Lourdes, the camera person, and the surrounding guests (who subsequently whipped out their phones) seems to have pushed Jon to get up for an impromptu duet.

It's a bit awkward. It's a bit off-key. And Jon's trying to sing the acoustic version, which isn't what the band is playing. I don't think it was as bad as some people are making out, but it didn't really do Jon any favours either.

Many of us fans know Jon's voice isn't what it used to be, and he needs a fair bit of warming up before he can sing anywhere near his current best, which he didn't get. The Associated Press reports that Lourdes asked Jon beforehand if he wanted to sing and he declined, so she has been copping some abuse online from fans for peer pressuring him into it.

Perhaps she shouldn't have done that song, knowing it would make Jon the centre of attention, especially if he'd already knocked back the offer to sing. But cyberbullying her is wrong.

Meanwhile, our old mate Richie Sambora -- and his partner Orianthi -- also sang Livin' on a Prayer at a recent wedding.

Check out the footage at TMZ.

IMO Richie's performance is a lot better, but since he was handed a guitar as well, he could sing in the key he was used to. Like Jon, he's doing the acoustic version, which is easier on the vocals. And IIRC, when Richie performs Livin' on a Prayer with his full band, he doesn't go up for the key change.

I say this not to criticise, but to point out that both Jon and Richie know their signature song is too damn high for them. (Hell, it's too high for me, and I'm a woman.)

Hey man, I'm alive... (and updates from Bon Jovi land)

It's been a long, long, LONG time since my last post. I hadn't intended to be off the grid for so long, but you know how it is... You decide to take an extended break between legs of a tour and in the blink of an eye, you've been out of the band for three years and they've made two records without you. Oh wait, that's someone else's story. :P

All jokes aside, I am still alive. I started studying again this year, which has taken a bit of getting used to, and I'm working on my first novel. (I also have a writing/everything else blog, on which I average about a post a month -- not that impressive, but better than what I've been doing here.)

As proof of life, here I am getting pulled up on stage at a Bon Jovi tribute show in Perth. (The video's actually 10 months old, which makes it even older than my last post, but I don't think I ever shared it here. I feel a bit silly but it was fun.)

As far as Bon Jovi goes, I've been sharing bits and pieces on Blame It On The Love's Facebook page so come over and like us if you haven't already.

The biggest news on the Bon Jovi front is that the band has completed its latest album, This House Is Not For Sale. And after spectacularly parting ways with Mercury Records when they released Burning Bridges last year, they are now back with Mercury/Island/Universal Music Group. Go figure!

Hugh McDonald, David Bryan, Tico Torres, John Shanks (producer), Jon Bon Jovi, Phil X.
Photo by David Bergman.

I must say, I do like the fact that Phil X is in this photo because it implies that he recorded on the new album -- as he should, given he works as a session guitarist and is likely to be playing these songs on tour. I was worried that they would just use John Shanks as the guitarist in the studio like they did on Burning Bridges.

Speaking of guitarists... At the opening of the B.E.A.T. Center (Bringing Everyone All Together) in Ocean County, New Jersey, Jon was interviewed by CBS This Morning. He said this about Richie Sambora:

"I haven't seen him in over three years. He just didn't show up for work anymore. And that's the truth of the matter."

Which is pretty sad really. I don't mean that in a judgmental way; simply that many of us know first hand how quickly someone can go from being a massive part of your life to being virtually nothing.

Meanwhile, Orianthi spoke to Rolling Stone about her long-awaited album with Richie. And apparently (cue everyone with an opinion about Lost Highway) it'll have a country feel:

"The great thing about country songs is the storytelling. They're really moving and well-crafted, and that's something Richie and I wanted to explore. 

"There are songs where I'm just singing and he's backing me up, and vice versa, and songs where we're singing together... It really takes you on a journey, and there's a great blend to our voices."

Read the full article at Rolling Stone.

So, what do you think? Looking forward to the new album(s)? Filled with dread? Somewhere in between? Let me know.

Richie Sambora and Orianthi cover I Got You, Babe

Here's a teaser of Richie Sambora and Orianthi covering Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe" for the song's 50th anniversary. Not sure when we'll hear the whole track or if it'll be on the album they're working on together. As a side note, Richie dated Cher in the 80s, which is more interesting than relevant.

Richie Sambora & Orianthi - I Got You Babe (Teaser)


What do you think?

New Bon Jovi music... soon?

Jon Bon Jovi is working on a new album, but whether it's a band album or a solo project is yet to be confirmed.

Jon spoke to PEOPLE at a recent event for Kenneth Cole:

"I was in the studio all day working on the new record. I walked here from the studio," the musician told PEOPLE. Where is he getting inspiration for his 18th album? From the news.

"I just read the paper, it gives you an opportunity to write something ... It's early but I'm about a dozen songs in. I feel good."

Read the full article here.

John Shanks, who has produced or co-produced every Bon Jovi album since Have a Nice Day, posted this photo featuring Jon and Gary Barlow a few days ago.

#bonjovi #garybarlow #johnshanks and then this happened. #workingonsomethingbig

A photo posted by John Shanks (@john_shanks) on Feb 11, 2015 at 4:08pm PST

Meanwhile, Richie Sambora and Orianthi are working on their album. Keyboardist Michael Bearden was interviewed at NAMM in January this year and talked the Richie-Ori record about 10:00 into the video. He describes it as "Something you've never heard Richie do before."

Michael Bearden interviewed at NAMM 2015


Orianthi recently Instagrammed a photo of herself in the studio with Richie and producer Eddie Kramer.

In the studio hanging and listening with Eddie Kramer

A photo posted by Orianthi (@theqof) on Feb 12, 2015 at 5:03pm PST

Are you looking forward to the prospect of new music from Jon and/or Richie? Or would you prefer a longer hiatus after the events of the last two years?

Merry Christmas to all Bon Jovi fans, past and present

As we approach Christmas and the new year, I'd like to thank everyone who's supported me and this blog over the past six-and-a-half years. Bon Jovi will always hold special place in my heart (I'm never getting that tattoo removed :P) but I probably wouldn't have kept going all this time without all of you reading, leaving comments and sending messages, whether you agreed or disagreed with me. And even though it's been an "interesting" couple of years and blogging has taken a back seat, I'm still here.

Being a fan of both Bon Jovi and Star Wars, a 17-year-old John Bongiovi's appearance on the Star Wars novelty Christmas album is a moment of pure brilliance that I share on my social networks nearly every year:

Jon Bon Jovi - R2-D2, We Wish You A Merry Christmas


CBC Music writer Andrea Warner recently put together The first-ever oral history of Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album, interviewing co-producer/engineer Tony Bongiovi (Jon's cousin), Anthony Daniels (aka C-3PO) and composer Maury Yeston in the process. Read the full article at this link.

A lot changes in 34 years (or 3 for that matter -- just compare the difference in Jon's voice between then and Runaway)...

I'll leave you with two recent Christmas performances by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora respectfully to (hopefully) appease both "sides" at this time of year. ;)

Jon Bon Jovi & the Kings Of Suburbia: I Wish Everyday Could Be Like Christmas - Las Vegas (Dec 9th 2014)


Richie Sambora & Orianthi perform "Happy Christmas (War Is Over)" on Home & Family


Have a safe and happy festive season!

Richie Sambora live in Paris 26/6/14

Here is Richie Sambora's full concert at Le Bataclan in Paris on June 26, 2014.

Richie Sambora - Live in Paris 2014 [FULL]


PS - I know I haven't been posting Richie's set lists. They don't always get confirmed, and I've been super busy, but I will try to catch up on them.

Controversial Richie Sambora interview with Gitarre & Bass

Richie Sambora recently gave an interview to German magazine Gitarre & Bass Magazine. An English translation of the print interview has been circulating online and raised a lot of eyebrows. Here's the part of the interview that's got people talking:

Q: How did your style of playing evolve in the last three decades?
RS: (makes a long pause) …when you’re a sideman in a band that has a certain style that you’re not allowed to change, then solo albums and soundchecks are the only ways to break free and cross boundaries. As a songwriter, I know how important lyrics are. They open the door. In Bon Jovi, I played and sang the melodic parts. But how creative can you be when your boss only gives you four bars to move the song along? How creative can you be if your boss keeps limiting you? I’m the type of person who is open to all styles and genres. I even went to a Kanye West concert with my daughter Ava. And I discovered a musical quality that I never really realized hip hop had. It was the first time I truly understood hip hop. Today when I’m evolving my style, I focus on two things: songwriting and emotions. Goosebumps, sex, grief, love, anger. Expressing emotions through music is what’s fun for me.

Q: You and Orianthi are working on an album at the moment.
RS: Yes. We’ll be exploring different genres: from acoustic ballads to hard rock. No compromises, no marketing bullshit, none of that! What I love about Orianthi so much is how versatile she already is at such a young age. I’m 25 years older, I’ve been on the road for 30 years and experienced anything you can imagine. I’ve been through a lot of difficult times. It’s great to finally be able to just make music for the joy of it. Everybody knows what a fantastic musician Orianthi is. We have duets that are just insane. When we’re playing together, there is magic in the room. That’s never happened to me before. In fucking Bon Jovi, it took me and Jon three albums to finally develop chemistry.

Q: Your ex-boss stated that you won’t be playing with the band anytime soon. Is there even still a future with Bon Jovi?
RS: I don’t think so. I was in that band for 30 years. That’s a damn long time. I missed most of my life. I worked myself to death in that band. The last tour alone was 18 months. I was always there for them. I wrote almost all of the songs and produced the records. And guess how many of my guitar parts finally made it on the records? Be honest, how many guitar solos are on the recent albums? Not many. I didn’t have much of a family life either. There comes a time when you ask yourself: Is it even worth it? Who am I? I was like a robot; everyday I did everything for that band. And I kept having to put up with the same old shit…

Q: You sound angry…
RS: As a musician it wasn’t fun anymore. I wasn’t happy. When I had the choice between happiness and money, I chose happiness. I already have enough money.

Q: How do you feel about Phil X playing your songs?
RS: Honestly, I have no clue about what’s going on in Bon Jovi these days. I’m sure he’s a nice guy, no doubt. And as far as I know, he’s a decent studio musician in L.A. Bu can a session musician replace Keith Richards in The Rolling Stones?
Q: Absolutely not! Unthinkable!
RS: Exactly! (laughs)

Read the full translated interview here.

Richie has since tweeted that something got lost in translation. We can't know for sure what was really said because Richie spoke in English, which would have been translated into German for the magazine, and has now been translated from the translation back into English.

Hey guys... Just sayin there was a language barrior... That article was not what I was saying.. And if you compare all the others..

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) July 20, 2014

My words and feelings are consistent..I've spent 30 years in the band.. Nothing but gratitude, reverence and love...

— RICHIE SAMBORA (@TheRealSambora) July 20, 2014

I do hope what has been written isn't what he really said. Although Richie has claimed credit for the Bon Jovi stuff that was popular while wiping his hands clean of anything that bombed, this interview (if accurate) is a more aggressive turn. And one that shuts the door on a band reunion where all parties had previously been open to one.

Richie Sambora UK, Netherlands, Stuttgart set lists (June 13-19, 2014)

Richie Sambora kicked off his latest solo tour last week, performing shows in England, the Netherlands, and Germany. His sets have included a couple of unexpected Bon Jovi songs -- i.e. The Distance and Stick to Your Guns, as well as an impromptu rendition of Rosie in Stuttgart.

Were you at any of these shows?

London, England - O2 Academy Islington - June 13, 2014

1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
2. Every Road Leads Home to You
3. Nowadays
4. Lay Your Hands on Me
5. Stranger in this Town
6. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix cover
7. Taking a Chance on the Wind
8. Livin' on a Prayer
9. Burn that Candle Down
10. Seven Years Gone
11. Who Says You Can't Go Home
12. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
13. I'll Be There For You

encore:
14. Stick to Your Guns - intro
15. Wanted Dead or Alive
16. These Days

Download Festival - Leicestershire, UK - Donington Park - June 15, 2014

1. Burn That Candle Down
2. Lay Your Hands On Me
3. Every Road Leads Home To You
4. Stranger In This Town
5. Nowadays
6. Wanted Dead Or Alive

Tilburg, Netherlands - 013 - June 17, 2014

1. A Song For You - Leon Russell cover
2. Nowadays
3. Every Road Leads Home to You
4. Lay Your Hands on Me
5. Stranger in this Town
6. Burn that Candle Down
7. The Distance
8. Seven Years Gone
9. Taking a Chance on the Wind
10. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
11. Storybook Love - Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
12. I'll Be There For You
13. Stick to Your Guns - intro
14. Wanted Dead or Alive

encore:
15. The Answer - solo acoustic
16. Livin' on a Prayer
17. These Days
18. Voodoo Child - Jimi Hendrix cover

Stuttgart, Germany - Beethovensaal - June 19, 2014

1. A Song for You - Leon Russell cover
2. Every Road Leads Home to You
3. Nowadays
4. Lay Your Hands on Me
5. Stranger in This Town
6. Burn the Candle Down
7. Seven Years Gone
8. The Distance
9. Rosie
10. Taking a Chance on the Wind
11. Weathering the Storm
12. You Don't Wanna Know - Orianthi song
13. Storybook Love Willy DeVille/Mark Knopfler cover
14. I'll Be There for You

encore:
15. Lean On Me - ft. Katja Juraska, Toby Breitenbach, Daniel Berger, Michael Eb, Christoph Brubeck (winner & 4 finalists for Opening Act contest)
16. Livin' on a Prayer
17. These Days - with Bob Marley intro
18. Bridge Over Troubled Water - intro
19. Wanted Dead or Alive

Richie Sambora touring Europe in June

UPDATED 17/4/14: Here's a rundown of all the Richie Sambora tour dates that have now been announced for his upcoming June/July tour of Europe:

• Sunday, JUNE 15th at DONINGTON PARK for the DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2014
• Tuesday, JUNE 17th at 013 in TILBURG, HOLLAND
• Thursday, JUNE 19 at BEETHOVENSAAL in STUTTGART, GERMANY
• Friday, JUNE 20 at KESSELHAUS in MUNICH, GERMANY
• Sunday, JUNE 22 at HUXLEY’S in BERLIN, GERMANY
• Tuesday, JUNE 24 at E-WERK in COLOGNE, GERMANY
• Thursday, JUNE 26 at BATACLAN in PARIS, FRANCE
• Saturday, JUNE 28th at CLAPHAM COMMON for the CALLING FESTIVAL
• Monday, JUNE 30th at OLYMPIA in DUBLIN, IRELAND**
• Tuesday, JULY 1st at ULSTER HALL in BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND**
• Thursday, JULY 3 at O2 ABC in GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

As she did in Australia, Orianthi will be joining Richie's band on guitar.

Are you going to any of these shows?

Richie Sambora Soundwave Perth 3/3/14 & Melbourne 28/2/14 set lists

Richie Sambora finished his Australian tour by playing at Perth's Soundwave Festival, with he and his band dishing up a few surprises.

Perth, WA, Australia - Arena Joondalup - March 3, 2014

1. Paranoid [Black Sabbath cover]
2. Nowadays
3. Burn that Candle Down
4. Lay Your Hands on Me
5. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
6. Learning How to Fly with a Broken Wing
7. Don't Change [INXS cover]
8. No Surrender [acoustic/Bruce Springsteen cover] / Wanted Dead or Alive
9. Livin' on a Prayer

Being my hometown, not to mention the final Soundwave to be held in Perth (It'll be an "east coast only" festival from 2015) and possibly the only chance I'll ever get to see Richie do a solo gig, I decided to head up to Joondalup. Unfortunately I didn't get the video everyone wants (i.e. Paranoid) -- I think I was too stunned! Plus I was staying for the whole day/night so I needed my phone battery to last.

I had an awesome time and really enjoyed Richie's set, which was like a big jam session, but I've heard mixed reviews from various people that I can certainly understand. I don't think No Surrender was rehearsed -- Richie was mumbling his way through all the words -- and it's only because it's one of my favourite Springsteen songs that I recognised it when it started.

Two friends of mine also saw Richie's set. One thought he was "shit" and "off his f***ing tree". The other described the show as "passionate dirty blues guitar sex" and reckons it was the best version ever of Lay Your Hands on Me and Wanted. All agreed that Orianthi was brilliant. I'd give the performance a 7/10 but I would love to see Richie at one of his own headlining gigs, rather than the lunchtime slot at a festival that's not really his genre.

Meanwhile, this is the set list for Richie's Soundwave gig in Melbourne on February 28, which I'd been looking for:

Melbourne, VIC, Australia - Flemington Racecourse - February 28, 2014

1. Burn That Candle Down
2. Nowadays
3. Lay Your Hands On Me
4. Every Road Leads Home to You
5. Don't Change [INXS cover]
6. Wanted Dead or Alive
7. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
8. Livin' on a Prayer

Did you catch Richie at any of the Soundwaves in Australia? What did you think of his performance?

Richie Sambora Soundwave Adelaide set list 1/3/14

Richie Sambora and Orianthi returned to Ori's hometown of Adelaide to perform at Soundwave. Here's what they played:

Adelaide, SA, Australia - Bonython Park - March 1, 2014

1. Nowadays
2. Burn that Candle Down
3. Lay Your Hands on Me
4. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix cover]
5. My Hometown - Orianthi
6. Wanted Dead or Alive
7. Don't Change [INXS cover]
8. Livin' on a Prayer

Were you at the show?

Richie finishes his Aussie tour tomorrow, March 3, at what will be the final ever Soundwave Festival in Perth.

Richie Sambora Melbourne set list 27/2/14 + Purple Rain ft Corey Glover & Orianthi

Richie Sambora played a sold-out charity show for the Starlight Foundation at The Espy in Melbourne on February 27. Corey Glover from Living Colour, who's also on the bill for the Soundwave festivals, joined the band on stage for Purple Rain.

Were you at the show?

Melbourne, VIC, Australia - Esplanade Hotel - February 27, 2014

1. Burn that Candle Down
   
2. Every Road Leads Home to You
   
3. Taking a Chance on the Wind
   
4. I'll Be There For You
   
5. Nowadays
   
6. You Don't Wanna Know [Orianthi song] - Ori vox
   
7. Wanted Dead or Alive
   
8. Voodoo Child [Jimi Hendrix Experience cover]
   
9. Stranger In This Town
   
10. Sugar Daddy
    
11. Lay Your Hands On Me
    
12. Seven Years Gone
    
13. Livin' on a Prayer
    
    
    
    encore:
    
14. Don't Change [INXS cover]
    
15. It's My Life
    
16. These Days
    
17. Purple Rain [Prince cover] - Corey Glover vox
    

Richie Sambora & Corey Glover - Purple Rain (Melbourne) - amazing pipes!
I'm still waiting for Richie's set list for Soundwave in Melbourne on February 28. Anyone got a copy of it?