Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi is still going strong more than 40 years later. The New Jersey rockers’ latest album, last year’s Forever, reached No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and produced a Top-10 hit on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart with “Legendary.” Recently, frontman Jon Bon Jovi has grappled with vocal cord issues that cast doubt on the band’s future. However, Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X says he and his bandmates have not once discussed quitting.
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Bon Jovi’s Phil X: “I Don’t Think There’s an End in Sight”
Jon Bon Jovi documented his vocal strife in the 2024 Hulu docuseries Thank You, Goodnight. The legendary rocker underwent surgery to fix a damaged vocal cord in 2022.
In early 2024, the “Livin’ On a Prayer” singer admitted to NPR that his healing “has been slower than I’d hoped for.” While he is still able to sing, touring seemingly remains off the table for now.
Despite these setbacks, Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X swears there has been no talk of disbanding. “I don’t think there’s an end in sight,” he said. “It’s a machine!”
He continued, “I think everybody loves the idea of moving forward. And I think we’re in a position to do that. It’s weird… you presenting that question the way you did, like even using the word ‘end,’ I thought, ‘Oh my God… no one has ever talked about that!’”
How Does He Feel About a Richie Sambora Reunion?
Phil X (real name: Theofilos Xenidis) replaced Richie Sambora as Bon Jovi lead guitarist in 2013. Becoming a full-time member three years later, he first appeared on the band’s 2016 album This House Is Not for Sale.
Since exiting the band, Sambora, 65, has joined Bon Jovi onstage only once, at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2018. However, Phil X says he wouldn’t hate sharing the limelight with his predecessor.
“I always say — the most successful tours are reunion tours,” he told Ultimate Guitar. “So if Jon called me tomorrow and said, ‘Richie’s coming back,’ I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d be like, ‘Okay, cool man. Can I be on second git?’”
Featured image by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images
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