He lashed out at Justin Bieber this week for being a prima donna, but Jon Bon Jovi is now copping some flak of his own.
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has lashed out at his bandmate, telling the singer to “stop with the trash talking”. This was after Jon intimated that Richie had pulled out of their world tour due to alcohol abuse.
Richie announced his departure from their 'Because We Can' tour last month citing “personal issues” and after Jon revealed it was an issue Richie has been through before, it was speculated he was referencing Richie's last stint in rehab, for alcohol abuse, in 2011, which saw him miss out on 13 shows.
However, Richie has hit back.
“I don't have any major problems in life right now, I love my fans and I feel bad for them at the moment. Bottom line,” he told The Daily Mail.
“My opinion is Jon wants to see if he can pull off stadiums by himself. He is making it very difficult for me to come back.
“Enough with the trash talking!
“Jon needs to stop talking about me publicly. I am fine working very hard on my fashion company Nikki Rich and this is a private matter.”
Although Phil X - who filled in during Richie's previous relapse - has stepped in as lead guitarist while Richie is away, the guitarist isn't happy.
He added: “[The fans] have paid money to see Bon Jovi and right now, they are not getting the whole deal.”
Insiders told gossip website TMZ.com that tensions between the duo exploded recently and one described it as a “classic Jagger/Richards blowup”.
The main reason for the tension is allegedly money.
During a concert in Calgary, Jon told the crowd: “I had two choices: pack up and go home or give you everything I got ... Richie Sambora won't be performing for a while. If there's ever a night I need you, it's tonight, Calgary!”
In 2011 Richie was left out of dates on the band's touring schedule to attend rehab but sources close to him insist he is still clean. - IOL and Bang Showbiz