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Richie Sambora Leaves Bon Jovi After 30 Years

Bon Jovi on January 23, 2013 in London
Richie Sambora is leaving Bon Jovi after 30 years as lead guitarist

So much for being there forever and a day. After 30 years as lead guitarist for Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora has parted ways with the legendary rock band, a source confirms to Us Weekly. (RumorFix.com was first to report the split.)

"There were a lot of well-documented problems, so this was the best decision for now," the source tells Us. A rep for Bon Jovi had no comment.

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Incidentally, Sambora, 54, has been absent from the group's ongoing Because We Can tour in recent months. "Due to personal issues, Richie Sambora will not be performing on this upcoming leg," a statement on the band's website read on April 3. "All shows will go on as scheduled."

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The New Jersey native has been with Bon Jovi since the band's inception in 1983. In the 30 years since, the group has released 12 studio albums, three compilations, and two live albums. They've sold more than 130 million records worldwide and have performed in more than 50 countries all over the world. In 2009, Sambora and the band's namesake, Jon Bon Jovi, were inducted together into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Related: PHOTOS: 2013's biggest splits

According to RumorFix, Sambora will still collect songwriting royalties and profits from merchandise.

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