10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists Of The '80s
6. Richie Sambora - Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi tends to get a bad rap as one of the most cheesy of the hair metal bands. For as many hits as the band had in their prime, many people tend to just label them as a bunch of talentless wannabes trying to ride the wave of the times into superstardom.
Though the band may have some cheese in their catalog, there’s no denying the strength behind Richie Sambora’s guitar.
While most guitarists in the hair metal genre are often nothing but a bunch of scale runs, Sambora put real emotion into every single note he played. Instead of just sprinkling in little lead lines for effect, Sambora’s playing is more reminiscent of an old school blues player.
The choruses of every Bon Jovi song may have been catchy, but the actual solos could have been hits all to themselves.
Though Richie has drifted in and out of the band over the years, he has made a decent career as a solo artist as well, where he is able flex his more bluesy chops. For a band that is named after the lead singer, Richie Sambora has been able to sidestep the voice of the band and become a star in his own right.