Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Bon Jovi lead guitarist Richie Sambora took inspiration from blues-based icons of the 1960s like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Sambora joined hair metallers Bon Jovi in 1983, notably contributing to their third album, Slippery When Wet, which sold over 28 million copies and became 1987's highest-selling album. After Bon Jovi went on temporary hiatus, Sambora issued his 1991 debut solo album, Stranger in This Town, including an appearance by his hero Clapton. Sambora later returned to Bon Jovi and their mega-selling albums and world-spanning tours, and in 1998 issued his sophomore album, Undiscovered Soul. Despite challenges in Sambora's personal life, he continued on with Bon Jovi and in 2012 released his own stylistically wide-ranging Aftermath of the Lowdown. ~ James Wilkinson