Music fans have had a rough ride over the last few weeks. First, rocker Bob Seger postponed his Calgary show due to illness, then his Edmonton gig due to a crazy snow storm.
R&B star Rihanna diva-ed it up across Canada, getting on stage as late as 90 minutes after her appointed set time. (Edmonton fans were lucky — they only had to wait 55 minutes.)
And now … comes word that guitarist Richie Sambora is sitting out this leg of Bon Jovi’s tour, including Wednesday’s show in Edmonton.
Frontman Jon Bon Jovi only found out about Sambora’s absence at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon — hours before the band’s show in Calgary, according to fans on Twitter.
Bon Jovi playing without Richie Sambora tonight. Richie bailed for personal reasons. To make it up, BJ donates $100,000 to #yyc shelter—
Mookie (@Mookalicious) April 03, 2013
"If there's ever a night I need ya, it's tonight, Calgary!" – Bon Jovi on Richie Sambora saying he wasn't coming at 3:30 pm—
Jeff and Sarah Show (@JeffSarahShow) April 03, 2013
"I had two choices – pack up and go home or give ya everything I got …. Richie Sambora won't b performing for awhile" – @BonJovi—
Jeff and Sarah Show (@JeffSarahShow) April 03, 2013
An official, yet cryptic, statement was later posted on Bon Jovi’s website.
“Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg,” reads the post (dated Wednesday, April 3). “All shows will go on as scheduled.”
This leg, which started in Calgary, includes 15 shows across Canada and the U.S., ending April 25 in San Jose, California.
Last week, tickets to Bon Jovi’s show at Rexall Place were available for as little as $10 plus service charges via Travelzoo, an online discount service.
