Richie Sambora pulled out of the Bon Jovi tour to spend time with his family.
The 54-year-old guitarist hasn't played with the 'Bad Medicine' rockers since failing to appear for a show in Canada in April when his absence was put down to "personal issues" but has now revealed he couldn't bear to be away from his 16-year-old daughter Ava - who he had with ex-wife Heather Locklear.
He told 'The Today Show Australia': "Honestly, I went out for the first leg of the tour, I had no idea this was going to happen.
"I started spending time with my kid and my spirit wouldn't pull myself out the door. I just needed to be home."
Richie is hoping to reunite with Bon Jovi - who are set to begin their the Asia leg of their 'Because We Can' tour on December 3 - and doesn't think his departure marked an end to the band.
He said: "I think so, yeah. I don't think it's going to be the end of the band."
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