Phil X: How to replace Richie Sambora in the Bon Jovi?

At some point in history, in 2013, Richie Sambora he left the Bon Jovi. To replace him, to collect the demanding witness to the guitar was Phil X. Philip Theofilos Xenidisthis is the name of Phil X Registered at the Registry of Toronto (Canada) where he was born 58 years ago, he spoke about it at the UCR Podcast.

Phil explains: “There is nothing really technically difficult for the way of playing the guitar, but there is an emotion that could be a challenge.

A perfect example is the beginning of ‘Bed of Roses’. Anyone can play those notes, but to play them immediately before Jon’s voice with that text, to capture that emotion. I knew I had to do it like this. It was not something like, ‘Oh, I can simply learn and play it’. I thought, ‘no, I can’t simply learn and play this part.’ This part really means a lot. There are only the piano and a guitar that flies and must have the right tone, it must have the right feeling, a little relaxed in the rhythm. That kind of things is sometimes a challenge. Some parts, singing and playing at the same time, could be a bit difficult “.

The guitarist adds again: “You have to enter the music and you have to become part of it. I always say that if it is in this part of the field and Phil X is on the other side, there is a boy in the middle who shows up and gives his best every evening because I can’t do exactly what it does, and there is an too much Phil X element. So they are so and this boy, he is the right one “.

Now that he has spent several years inside the group, he is much more comfortable.

“I think I made the right decision, it’s all a matter of respect. You have to respect the band. I respected Richie. You have to respect the songs and, of course, even the fans. You cannot make a different solo in” Livin on a prayer ” Or “Wanted Dead or Alive”. For 30 years, when there was still Richie, he changed the solo and could do it, because it is his stuff. live with songs like ‘Keep the Faith’. Which is really exciting. But anyway, when it’s time to do the job, you do it. “