RICHIE Sambora has clarified there is no bad blood between himself and former bandmate Jon Bon Jovi.

The guitarist left the band in 2013 and has launched a new project, RSO, with Australian guitarist — and his girlfriend of over two years — Orianthi.

“Never say never,” Sambora said of a return to Bon Jovi in some form.

“There’s no malice. Jon and I talked just a week ago. Everything is cool. They’re on a different trajectory, I’m on a different path. Plus I wanted to go out and sing.

“People conjugate a story that there’s problems. No. You spend 30 something years in a band. That’s a long time. Not a lot of bands have that kind of longevity. We weren’t a band who took any breaks. The Rolling Stones or U2 will take three years off so they have a life, we didn’t really do that ever. The 30 years we put in probably felt like 50 years.”

Sambora met Orianthi shortly after he left Bon Jovi and the pair have spent two years making their debut album with A-list producer Bob Rock, mainly recorded at their Californian home studio.

Sambora has called the album “Sonny and Cher on steroids” and Orianthi revealed it includes a “heavy” remake of I Got You Babe which should be released before their Australian tour next month, along with some other new original tunes.

“There are not a lot of male/female duos going on in the world, especially two guitar players like us,” Sambora said.

media_camera Sambora and Orianthi’s new project is RSO. Picture: Tim Tronckoe

“People don’t know Ori is an amazing singer and an amazing writer. Together I think we’ve reached something that is a new sound.”

RSO’s September tour will see the musical and life partners play songs from their new album, as well as their respective solo material and a handful of Bon Jovi hits.

“I wrote them, they’re my songs too,” Sambora said. “I get to play them, I get to do them the way Ori and I do them now. It’s a different incarnation but when you write a good song, if you’re fortunate enough to write something that gets to a global audience you really can’t mess it up too bad. You can’t mess Livin’ on a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive or I’ll Be There For You up. It’s all gonna come out good.”

media_camera Sambora spent three decades as lead guitarist in US rockers Bon Jovi. Picture: Supplied.

Orianthi will also perform material with artists she has worked with, including Prince and Michael Jackson — she gained world attention when she was chosen as guitarist for what would have been his final tour.

“Working with Michael was a dream come true, he was an amazingly talented performer and artist,” she said. “He encouraged everyone to be the best they could be, and he was very personable. I learned a lot working with him and it was surreal being in his presence ... A real honour.”

Orianthi has also performed with musicians including Alice Cooper, Dave Stewart and Steven Tyler, as well as releasing three successful solo albums.

While Sambora revealed Orianthi is working on a new posthumous Jackson release (she played guitar on 2010s Monster) the Adelaide-born musician declined to discuss the project any further.

The RSO tour also gives fans a chance to pay more for meet and greet tickets and sit in on soundcheck — previously money-can’t-buy experiences that can now be yours for around $350.

“It’s really cool to meet the fans and people that support your music,” Orianthi said.

media_camera Orianthi during rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s ill-fated This Is It world tour. Picture: Supplied.

“That’s what we make music for, to make people happy and get them through life. We would love to meet every person that comes to the show but that’s impossible, so having a meet and greet is one way to spend quality time with some of them. We love to feel their energy and all of our fans have been great supporters.”

RSO play Metro City Perth on September 23, Adelaide Entertainment Centre on September 26, Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on September 27, Enmore Theatre Sydney on September 29 and Eaton Hills Brisbane on September 30.

Originally published as Sambora’s verdict on Bon Jovi feud