Richie Sambora - Today Show - Australia - 18/02/1998


RW - Richard Wilkins and RS - Richie Sambora.
Richie was wearing a black shirt and silver chain and was in a really good mood.

RW:  Next up we've got Richie Sambora best known as being Bon Jovi guitarist and of course pretty well known as being Heather Locklears old man, they've got a new bub, Richie's got a new album called Undiscovered Soul and he's here on the satelite. Good morning to Rich, how are you doing?

RS:  How are you doing Rich ? I'm doing very well man

RW:  Congratulations on all counts ah this new album, lets start with Undiscovered Soul tell me about the title cause I imagine that I gather that came along early in the piece

RS:  Well you know ah, the title itself came as I wrote this record and as I recorded it I was actually discovering about who I was at this particular point in time as an artist myself and I think that as a writer and as a musician you try to gain some kind of common ground with people, I'm sure there are a lot of people all over the world tryin to find out who they are or what vocation they're tryin to get into, so I was tryin to find out who I was as an artist so I thought that was kind of fitting title.

RW:  Most people see you Rich, hey it's the guy from Bon Jovi, it's Richie, it's Jon's mate so you know the second banana in the band so how difficult it it being perceived as a solo artist?

RS:   Well you know that's the transition I'm going through now Rich, ah as far as making records, this record that I've made this time is I think just as good as any record I've ever made in my life, with the band, without the band or with any other artist, ah I worked with the great producer, legendary producer Mr Don Was of course he's produced the last 3 Rolling Stones albums and Elton John, and Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt and you know Jewel and all those people and when I passed his test he said Hey man we gotta tell the world that you're not only just the guitar player from this band but that you're a valid artist in your own right, when when he took the project on I think it gave me a lot of inspiration but that's really what I'm tackling too cause I think this record not only appeals to who like the band Bon Jovi but I think it goes bejond the sphere. I think it's a pretty well rounded record.

Cut to video of Richie's new single

RW:  A lot of people looking at you would go oh, what does he want to make a solo album for, I mean Richie's got plenty of money, a beautiful wife he's got a new baby, he's got a band that kind of work when they want to, lifes got to be pretty good, why not just kind of go to the beach and hang out instead of doing all this hard work?

RS:  Well you know what, it's all about evolution that's where the fun is anymore, it's not about where the bread is anymore and stuff like that and you know let's face it, I can't chase girls anymore, I'm married to Heather Locklear you know I have lot's more time on my hands ha ha ha.

RW:   There you go.

RS:   So you know I''ve always enjoyed making music, I think that's the besides spending time with my family and my wife and my daughter now ah making music and evolving as a musician is very important to me. There's always more to learn in music there's always more to learn in life so I think that's what keeps you going.

RW:  As well as playing in one of the biggest rock bands in the world if not the biggest you're also married to one of the worlds most beautiful women as we've established.

RS:  Thank you very much, thank you. (patting himself on the back and kising his own hand with a huge grin.. Classic moment in the interview...)

RW:  Life must be pretty good, it doesn't get much better than this does it?

RS:  Well yeah it's going pretty well Rich, yeah I'm doing OK.

RW:  And the bubs great Ava?

RS:  Oh she's fantastic and I mean ah yep. I just (cut to pic of richie, heather and ava) right before I came here she gave me a big goodluck hug and a kiss and that means everything when you know you see that little girl smile it's over, that's what really matters, you know that's it.

RW:   Are you a new age dad, you get in there and change the nappies and you do the whole bit?

RS:   Absolutely! She'll be the prettiest nun in the whole convent when she grows up ha hah ha.

Cut to clip of Heather on Entertainment Tonight talking to Bob Goen about Richie and Ava

Bob Goen:   Is he a good dad, is he an active dad?

Heather:    Let's see, I think he changed her diaper cause I escaped and left him and he said oh I changed the baby's diaper when we got back and oh the baby was crying and crying and I well finally well maybe she has a wet diaper and it was on backwards.......

Back to Richie and Richard

RW:   She's back at work now on Melrose?

RS:  Yep she's back at work, she bounced back in about 2 weeks she looked unbelievable in like 2 weeks after her pregnancy.

RW:  Yes incredible, you have a backing vocalist on one of the tracks a Ms H Locklear, you got the mrs singing on the album mate?

RS:  You know we having so much fun making this record I said and I was spending so many late nights in the studio I had to show her what the hell I was doing, you know I couldn't leave her out.

RW:  Did she enjoy the experience?

RS:  Yes! we had a great time, we laughed and we had a ball.

RW:  She''s on the record, she's saying she hopes she doesn't get treated like Linda McCartney did when they pull everything else out of the mix and just leave her vocals up there. (laughing)

RW:  You haven't done that to her have you?

RS:  No I haven't done that to her, no that would be bad.

RW:  Well send me the tape Rich, thank you very much for your time buddy, hey listen good luck with the album.

RS:  Yeah good to talk to you Rich when I get down there we'll have a little visit.

RW:  I'll get ready for that one. Richie Sambora in Los Angeles, Undiscovered Soul is the album it's out around the world on March 2 and we wish him well.

RS:  Thank you.