Richie AOL Chat
March 1998

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OnlineHost: Your hosts for tonight are AOLiveMC13 *Norma*,

OnlineHost: and AOLiveMC9 *Linda*.

OnlineHost: At twelve years old, Richie Sambora picked up a guitar for the first time, and ever since has been playing music on his own terms. Sambora traveled the world with one of the most popular rock bands of the late twentieth century and lived to tell the his tales of the road.

OnlineHost: In 1991 came his first solo album, and by the mid-nineties Bon Jovi had sold over 75 million albums of their own. As of late, Sambora has co-written 40 top 40 hits.

OnlineHost: There has always been an undying fan base, relentlessly following his career note for note, but in the background lie the equally dedicated skeptics who remonstrate their famous axiom, "artists with permed hair cannot play real music." Welcome to AOL Live!

AOLiveMC9: Welcome Richie Sambora!

RichieSamb: Thank you I'm glad to be here.

AOLiveMC9: First, we have many people in the audience wondering if you are going on tour.

RichieSamb: Yes, I'm actually waiting to see how the record is going to do. I'm going to make a global jaunt. Whether it's Japan or US we'll have to wait and see.

AOLiveMC9: And here is our next question:

Question: richie, planning on becoming an actor now like jon?

RichieSamb: I haven't seen anything that has inspired me to do anything like that. I'll leave it to my wife.

Question: What made you pick Don Was as your producer this time? And what other musicians helped out with this record?

RichieSamb: Basically was in to this by a mutual friend and I was inspired that he wanted to do the project. The musicians were deep in the A list and it was a pleasure to work with him.

Question: I loved the song "Father Time." Is there anything similar on the new album?

RichieSamb: Probably not. Stranger in This Town was a snap shot of what I was feeling at that time.

RichieSamb: Thanks for asking. I like that song too.

Question: "Stranger" came with "listening instructions." Do you have any recomendations for listening to the new album?

RichieSamb: Enjoy it because it's a record that is a very human record and I hope that a lot of people will draw some pleasure or consolation from listening to it.

Question: How long did it take you to complete the CD? Have you been working on it for a few years?

RichieSamb: No once again it was a snap shot in time and like a pregnancy took 9 months.

Question: Which is your favourite guitar at the moment and why?

RichieSamb: A very hard question. I like them all. It's too hard to choose it's like a paint brush. Question: Is your personal fan club "Strictly Sambora" still going on?

RichieSamb: Quite honestly, I don't know. I been apart from it for so many years so I'm not sure.

Question: How does he feel about how his technical strengths have changed? His musicianship has changed and in a sense he has opened his technical ability like one would open thier heart. Wish him all the best on this giant effort.

RichieSamb: I shifted to a more natural and a more soulful approach to all of the above. Writing, singing and playing.

AOLiveMC9: I understand you starting playing guitar at 12. Was it just laying around the house? Did you decide to take lessons?

RichieSamb: Actually I was 14. It was a gift given to me by my dad and it cost $10.

Question: Richie, Congrats on the baby girl! I can't wait for the album, but why was the mix different from Japan's?

RichieSamb: What happen was that the Japanese people asked my for the album very early to beat the boot leggers. The album was still in the demo stage. It was not by my choice.

Question: i loved your videos from the Stranger album, but was never fortunate enough to catch them in time to record them : ( do you have video tapes/compilations that were released in any other countries besides america?

RichieSamb: Not yet. Due to lack of record company interest. Maybe someday.

Question: congratulations on Ava...like you, she's absolutely adorable!! my question to The King of Swing is: can we expect you to be releasing any videos to coincide with the release of this album??

RichieSamb: Yes absolutely. When they'll hit the market place I don't know. Hopefully soon.

Question: Any special music that you like to listen to when relaxing?

RichieSamb: I'm a very diversified listener. I like the blues and I've been listening to a lot of Joanie Mitchell lately.

Question: Do any of the new bands today catch your attention?

RichieSamb: My favorite new band today is the Wallflowers.

RichieSamb: The key board player Rami Jaffe played on my new album.

Question: "they say for every living thing, there's a guide up in the sky that helps you pass from world to world, so you never really die" do you believe in reincarnation or anything like that??

RichieSamb: Sure. Don't have the answer yet.

Question: On Stranger in this town, it had a bluesy edge to it. Is your new music like that as well.

RichieSamb: Not as much. It's a bit more clearly. My life is in a bit more clearer stage and the music matches.

Question: How long does it normally take you to write a song?

RichieSamb: I can't put a time period on a creative process. But it goes between 10.5 hours and 19 years.

AOLiveMC9: Interesting time frame there:)

Question: . it seem that all my old rock bands have been traded in for cheep one hit musicians. and the good rock bands like bon jovi cant even get any real spins on the radio with their new albums. do you feel you will expereance these problems and why?

RichieSamb: Yeah. Not my fault. The stuff out there my days, the American market, is very expendable and disposable due to the number of choices there are at the artistic level.

Question: Richie,how do you feel about the direction music has gone since the early 90s?

RichieSamb: Both good and bad. I've tried to go both forward and backward.

Question: Does song writing seem to mellow with age?

RichieSamb: Not exactly. I think that it's more passionate with age. The road, women and whiskey. If that's mellowing then it's your choice.

Question: congratulations on Ava...like you, she's absolutely adorable!! my question to The King of Swing is: throughout the 80's you were heavily donning * * STAR * * apparel. what influenced this? (p.s. i love your star tat on your hand!)

RichieSamb: Baffling question. I'm just a musician.

Question: What is the most special record you have done in your career?

RichieSamb: Right now Undiscovered Soul is the most special record I've done. It's the way I feel now. Every artist I think is in the moment and blinded by passion.

Question: hey rich, i was wondering if you still use the ovation guitars on this album.

RichieSamb: I use them live. Not too much on the record.

Question: What is the longest quitar solo you have ever done?

RichieSamb: Who I Am on Undiscovered Soul live.

Question: Mr. Sambora, I was wondering if you will be appearing on any talk shows to promote your new album?

RichieSamb: David Letterman tomorrow night.

Question: Do you have a web page?

RichieSamb: Yes, my web page is at www.mercuryrecords.com.

Question: Any updates on the status of the band Bon Jovi? I have heard of a CD planned for the end of 1998, but that just may be a rumor...

RichieSamb: It's a rumor.

Question: When you started playing guitar were there any specific drills you did to get better or did you just practice a lot

RichieSamb: I listened a lot and practiced a lot.

Question: What sort of input do you have with your label Mutiny?

RichieSamb: I kind of executively product the label and fund it financially.

Question: Richie...wierd question but what kind of strings do you use?

RichieSamb: GHS Boomers and Acoustic GHS lites phospher bronze.

Question: Richie, alot of bands have traveled to army post...I am stationed at Ft. Hood, TX..have you ever considered playing at an army post for your fans in the military?

RichieSamb: Yes we have. Although not on America soil.

Question: where do you get your inspirations from?

RichieSamb: My inspiration comes from what I'm feeling at the moment and from an observatory compassionate place. Thank you for the intelligent question.

Question: Is there any chance that Heather will sing on any future records

RichieSamb: Thanks for asking. Don't know.

AOLiveMC9: And another family related question:

Question: On your new album, did you write a song for your new daughter?

RichieSamb: I think my daughter came to a lot of songs on this album. As an artist people you love always come through even before they exist.

Question: When you play "Wanted..Dead..", do you use standard tuning, or a derivative?

RichieSamb: Standard tuning.

Question: Do you still get nervous befor performing any shows?

RichieSamb: Not usually. Nervous excitment would be more the word. It's still fun and I'm still available for the excitement.

Question: You are an inspiration and I want to thank you for all the music and words through the years. Stranger In This Town had gotten me through some dark times....your new album seems to address those" dark time" themes....was that the intention?

RichieSamb: I think that the record mirrors your life. I hope that this record carries a little hope.

RichieSamb: You make music for people not for yourself. It comes through you.

Question: When you are on stage do you notice the crowd or are you just into the music?

RichieSamb: Both. I think the best way I get through to a crowd is when I go through myself. I don't have to do jumping jacks. You have to get in to get out.

Question: DO you see any new styles that arer going to drive music into a new level wheather it be A guitar style or mixing style?

RichieSamb: That's rough. It's all constant evolution. I think I'm more going backwards than forwards. I think that maybe I'm unfashionable. I'm not following a trend I'm just doing what I deem honest.

Question: Hi Richie, I been a fan of Bon Jovi forever, my question to you is: Is there anything you wished that you haven't accomplished yet in your career?

RichieSamb: You always have to have dreams and goals. If you stop learning you stop living. There's always more.

Question: what do you think of the 90's rock these days as opposed to the "good time" music of the 80's?

RichieSamb: What rock?

Question: One more question. What on earth does Richie mumble at the end of River of Love??? It's been bothering me for years!

RichieSamb: I have to listen I don't remember. I haven't listened to the record for a long time. It's just an instrument from Australia. Look it up.

Question: How hard was it to get rid of the pick and use your fingers?

RichieSamb: It was just brave, fun, evolutionary.

Question: Do you have any say in how fender designs you guitars

RichieSamb: Yeah. Absolutely, they're the same guitars that I use. I try to make them have as much style diversity so that they can transend style.

Question: Is there gonna be a single for "hard times come easy" available in the U.S.?

RichieSamb: Yes, Hopefully it'll be in the store tomorrow. But if not please let us know.

Question: What do you do for warm up exersizes with regards to playing guitar?

RichieSamb: I just play.

Question: What different kinds of effects pedals do you use with your guitar? Is it a Tube Screamer?

RichieSamb: Basically I try to plug into an amph and them I go for the dig effects afters.

Question: Do you have a favorite city to visit on tour?

RichieSamb: Where ever people want to hear me play. I don't really have a favorite city.

Question: Richie what specifically was the song "The Answer" about? TesLuvJBJ@aol.com

RichieSamb: That there is no answer and that life is the answer. The way you live it is the answer. The answer is basically the question.

AOLiveMC9: We have time for one more audience question:

Question: What cords did you use in FATHER TIME . I have been trying to figure it out but I just can't seem to get it

RichieSamb: It starts in C minor beyond that it's a cycle of fists.

AOLiveMC9: Thank you so much for being with us this evening Mr. Sambora.

RichieSamb: Thank you it's always a pleasure.

AOLiveMC9: Thank you for joining us audience and participating with your questioins. Good night everyone.

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