Filling Richie Sambora’s shoes in Bon Jovi was always going to be a challenge for Phil X, but he’s noticed that the band’s recent documentary has helped him win over some fans. Sambora left the band in 2013 after a 30-year legacy, and Phil X stepped in, having previously worked with LA pop rock band Powder and at Fretted Americana, a vintage guitar store.
Since joining, Phil X has played on three albums, including 2024’s Forever, where Jon Bon Jovi reunited with his original guitar after 45 years. Now, he’s starting to see more fans warming to him.
At NAMM 2025, Phil X shared his experience: “If I walk through an airport, most guys are like, ‘Hey, I love your Fretted Americana videos.’ Most girls are like, ‘You’re doing great in Bon Jovi.'” He also mentioned that some fans have told him they saw the documentary and felt he came across as a down-to-earth guy, helping those who didn’t like him before to start liking him more.
The four-part documentary, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, features Phil X in its final episode, highlighting his role in the band and allowing fans to see him in a new light, embracing him for who he is rather than comparing him to Sambora.
