Jon Bon Jovi is starting to open up about the sudden departure of Richie Sambora from the band six weeks ago.

The rocker told an Evening Standard reporter, “It’s getting more and more difficult every day to not just sit here and say something… because all I continue to say is this — it’s for personal reasons.”

In early April, Sambora abruptly left the Bon Jovi world tour.  He later tweeted, “It’s all good.  Thanks for all of the positive vibes. This is a private matter but please know I love the band and you fans.”

Richie’s most recent stint in rehab for alcohol abuse issues occurred in 2011.  Bov Jovi acknowledged, “He’s been through it before, fortunately for us the same guy who filled in last time was available this time.”

“Life goes on, so if someone chooses not to be here… You have a choice — you either figure it out, go and grow, not only survive but thrive. Or, you say, ‘I hate my brother and I’m gonna quit the band.’”

JBJ revealed this about the day Richie bolted, “At 3:30 p.m. on show day the phone rang and it was Paul the manager, and he said, ‘Guess what?’ and he didn’t even have to finish the sentence.  I said, ‘You’re kidding.’  We went on that night.  I haven’t seen Richie since. Love him, spoken to him once.  I talked to him once, once in six weeks and 18 shows.”

Would he welcome Sambora back?  Jon told the Daily Mirror, “He can return when his is ready to die every night the way I walk on the stage.  It’s different without Richie.  No one’s mad, no one’s sad.”

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