Richie Sambora Reunited with Teenage Gibson Explorer Stolen 41 Years Ago

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News (2 / 1) 29.04.2026 21:58 / Julia

Stolen on tour, traced across years

When Bon Jovi prepared to tour Japan in 1985, their gear was stolen from a Perth Amboy, N.J., warehouse. The guitar vanished; a decade later Guitar Center alerted him it had been sold, and he even tried to buy it back. He later hired a private detective, and earlier this year the instrument was located at Matt's Guitar Shop in Paris.

An emotional, steady return

Shop owner Matthieu Lucas bought the Explorer to ensure it could be returned. Sambora says the guitar looked almost untouched and plans to perform with it on May 1 at the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala in Louisville. He also noted this has been a difficult couple of years after a hand fracture and the loss of his mother, Joan.