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.
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.
Videos by American Songwriter
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
More Latest Music News & Stories
-
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 23: (L-R) Tim McGraw and Faith Hill attend the 16th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 23, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM) -
Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 14: Reba McEntire performs onstage during the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chloe Kern/WireImage) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 02: Morgan Wallen performs onstage for the 16th Annual Darius and Friends St. Jude Benefit at Ryman Auditorium on June 02, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA) -
TOPSHOT – US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift attends the MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California on September 27, 2026. (Photo by Lisa O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty Images) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 16: Chris Stapleton performs onstage during the 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards at Ryman Auditorium on September 16, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association) -
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 13: Zach Top performs onstage during C2C Country to Country day one at The O2 Arena on March 13, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 29: Kelly Hansen of Foreigner performs onstage during The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis 39th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner on September 29, 2025 at the New York Hilton Midtown raised millions of dollars to support the pioneering work of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine and the world’s premier research center targeting spinal cord and brain injury and other neurological disorders and diseases. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis)