From WHO Magazine (Australia - March issue)
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THE GRILL with Richie Sambora
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On March 24, rockers Bon Jovi play a one-off charity gig in Melbourne for the Universal Appeal, aiding Australia's State Emergency Services (SES). The band's guitarist, Richie Sambora, 40, riffed with Julietta Jameson.
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Your new album, Crush, has sold 7 million worldwide. You're packing out stadiums, just like in the '80s. What's up?
It's been an astounding run but we're taking a break now. I'm in the studio preparing a new solo album and Jon [Bon Jovi] is making a movie down in Mexico. Then we'll get back on the road and see you guys on March 24.
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Tico Torres' painting, Jon's acting, your solo album, Dave Bryan's musical theatre composing -- Bon Jovi are Renaissance men.
Well, all that [separate] artistic fulfilment is what keeps us together. It's nice not to rely on the band for everything.
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Jon says you're the happy one in the band.
I'm happy about a lot of things ... about doing what I want to do. About having a great wife [actress Heather Locklear, 39] and child [Ava Elizabeth, 3], and the experiences that they open up.
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With Heather, you did win the wife lottery, didn't you ...
She found me. I wouldn't have had the balls to [find her]. She saw me and wanted to meet me. I was like, wow, really?
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Is she coming down here with you?
She has to work on Spin City.
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It's fantastic you're playing for our SES.
Australia's always been a friend to us. It's our pleasure.
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You're New Jersey boys who haven't forgotten where you cam from. You've never been highfalutin.
We're lucky to be around after all these years. We keep each other down to earth. [Fame] could end tomorrow -- in one fell swoop.
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You'd still have sold 87 million albums though. That's not bad.
It's not bad at all when you think about it.
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It's actually good. Do you ever reflect on your huge success?
It's impossible to fathom, so I don't think about it. I'm happy to do what I love to do for a living.
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Anything you regret in your career? An outfit? A hairdo?
Many a hairdo and many an outfit. And a few women in my illustrious dating career.
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Any names?
No. And no, I don't regret much. If I had it all to do again, I wouldn't change much of anything. I've had a great life.
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"It's My Life," the first single from Crush, topped world charts. Thrilled?
Yeah man, the audience has expanded. Young people think we're a new band, which is great. Stick around long enough, keep yourself well, that's what happens.
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Special thanks to Lee Holmyard for scanning this and sending it to me! Thanks, babe!
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