Bon Jovi... sans Sambora? (Updated April 10, 2013)

"What About Now" is the question Bon Jovi is asking fans these days, as the rockers have released their twelfth studio album and continue a remarkable career in which they've once again had another project climb to the top of the charts.

Released on March 8, 2013, "What About Now" debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, becoming the fifth Bon Jovi album to bow in the top spot. And though it did so with mixed-to-negative reviews, fans have been clamoring for the new material since the band launched the "Because We Can" tour, named after the lead single from the album.

The tour kicked off February 10 in Washington D.C., and will visit all five major continents before it wraps. Not only will it mark the first time the band had traveled to Wales since 2001, it will also be the first time they've returned to Africa in nearly two decades, and the first time in the band's history they will be visiting Bulgaria and Poland. The set list, as it stands now, has routinely included at least four songs from the new album.

The one thing missing from the spring leg of the tour will be Richie Sambora. Citing "personal reasons" for his departure, the famed guitarist announced his exit from the tour on April 4. The same day, rumors swirled that tensions between Sambora and frontman Jon Bon Jovi had led to Sambora's departure. The band immediately issued a statement that all shows will go on as scheduled, while Sambora assured fans via Twitter that he was "doing well" and had to stay in LA "to take care of a personal matter."
Sambora had recently been promoting his solo career and a new album, "Aftermath of Lowdown," which he previously said Bon Jovi supported.

About Bon Jovi

If you're going to form a rock band with just a few key factors in mind - charisma and longevity among them - your best influence may be Bon Jovi. The rock band has been delighting crowds with its music since 1983 and is still comprised of original band members Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, and David Bryan. After nearly 30 years of hit songs, No. 1 albums, tours and awards, the guys are still going strong.

Throughout their career, Bon Jovi has released 11 studio albums, three compilation albums and one live album. All totaled, the band has sold 130 million records worldwide, played more than 27,000 concerts globally, with more than 35 million fans jamming sold out arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters and fairs.

All the members of the band are especially driven, but it's Jon Bon Jovi's intense work ethic that has kept them relevant through the decades. Widespread recognition came with their third album, 'Slippery When Wet,' in 1986. 'You Give Love a Bad Name' was released as its first single; 'Livin' on a Prayer' came next, and 'Wanted Dead or Alive' (known to this day as the Bon Jovi ?National Anthem') followed. The project was the top-selling album of the year and brought the band numerous awards, including an MTV Video Music Award, an American Music Award and an award for Favorite Rock Group at the People's Choice Awards.

The numbers since that time confirm Bon Jovi is still among the top acts in the music business. Of the numbers mentioned above, 13 million of those 35 million tickets have been sold since 2000, resulting in a gross of nearly $1 billion. Jon Bon Jovi won a Grammy in 2007 for his duet with Jennifer Nettles, 'Who Says You Can't Go Home,' and was inducted into the songwriting Hall of Fame in 2009.Bon Jovi toured in 2010 and 2011, and continues to break into new markets and attract new fans. The band is planning the release of another album in 2013, and this September will play the iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.