Jon Bon Jovi’s long-awaited comeback tour announcement ought to have been a second of pure pleasure, however as a substitute, it has left followers heartbroken and livid.

Nonetheless, longtime guitarist Richie Sambora is lacking from the lineup, and behind the scenes, insiders say the connection between the 2 legends has hit all-time low.

Bon Jovi couldn’t cease smiling as he introduced the Endlessly Tour alongside TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, high-fiving the host and thanking followers for many years of assist.

The seven-date tour will kick off in New York earlier than heading to the UK, marking his first main return since present process vocal twine surgical procedure that after threatened to finish his profession.

For the 63-year-old, it’s a victory years within the making, however not everyone seems to be celebrating.

Following his announcement, followers shortly observed that Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi’s former guitarist and co-writer on classics like “Livin’ on a Prayer” and “Needed Lifeless or Alive,” was nowhere on the roster.

The omission despatched shockwaves throughout fan communities, sparking heated debates on-line over whether or not the frontman had intentionally shut his outdated buddy out.

Amid the chaos, sources have revealed the pair’s relationship is way from harmonious, with Bon Jovi stopping Sambora from rejoining the band.

“Sambora has tried to re-join many instances, however Jon has made it not possible,” one insider informed the Each day Mail.

Sambora left Bon Jovi in 2013 in the course of the As a result of We Can Tour, citing private points at residence.

His ex-wife, actress Heather Locklear, had been hospitalized that very same 12 months, and he mentioned stepping away from the highway was essential to assist their daughter, Ava.

In later interviews, Sambora mentioned, “I spotted Ava wanted me to be round at that cut-off date. Household needed to come first, and that’s what occurred.”

The singer additionally admitted that years of nonstop touring had taken a toll. “18-and-a-half months of being on the highway, 52 nations,” he informed PEOPLE. “It was actually time for a break.”

Regardless of the cut up, Sambora made a number of efforts to reconnect, even hinting at a potential reunion in the course of the band’s fortieth anniversary in 2023.

“We wrote a variety of songs that modified lots of people’s lives,” he mentioned on the time. “So yeah, undoubtedly may occur.”

When Sambora tried to fix fences earlier this 12 months, he reportedly introduced a classic guitar to Jon Bon Jovi’s New Jersey residence as a birthday reward.

Nonetheless, based on insiders, issues shortly went downhill when Bon Jovi confirmed him an early screening of his Hulu docuseries, “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.”

The sequence, which chronicled the band’s highs and lows, reportedly portrayed Sambora in an unflattering gentle.

Footage confirmed Sambora discussing his struggles with ache capsules, whereas drummer Tico Torres recalled worrying for his security.

Nonetheless, a supply near Sambora informed the Each day Mail the present omitted key truths.

“Everybody knew Richie left the band to boost his daughter and the entire documentary falsely implied he went to rehab and so they have been ready for his return,” the supply mentioned. “It’s admirable to cease a profession that’s killing you and hurting your loved ones, it takes braveness.”

Sambora, who has mentioned he was sober throughout his stints in rehab, later shared that he “grew to become like a counselor to individuals.”

Nonetheless, the way in which the docuseries was edited reportedly left him feeling betrayed.

Based on studies, Jon Bon Jovi and Sambora briefly reconnected in Palm Seaside, Florida, late final 12 months. However the reunion didn’t final lengthy.

After what appeared like a pleasant assembly, Bon Jovi allegedly informed Sambora that if he rejoined the band, his pay could be minimize dramatically.

“I’m actually excited that you’re again and so are Dave and Tico. Oh, by the way in which, your outdated minimize of 25 % will now be ten %,” Bon Jovi allegedly mentioned.

The supply described Sambora’s response as “speechless.” He reportedly left in disbelief, feeling “stabbed within the again once more.”

Based on the insider, chopping Sambora’s share in a 3rd was Bon Jovi’s approach of insulting him.

A separate supply near Bon Jovi argued that the frontman was merely content material with how issues have been and simply didn’t need Sambora to return.

“As a lot as Richie wish to come again, Jon doesn’t need to cope with the difficulty it would possible convey,” the insider mentioned. “They’re oil and water. Bringing Richie again could be very robust.”