Richard Stephen Sambora took up the accordion when he was 6 but switched to guitar at 12 and has been shredding ever since. Happy birthday to the RHOF guitarist born on this day in 1959 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Richie was in a band named Mercy that was signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label and later joined Capricorn Records act Duke Williams and the Extremes.  Shortly before hooking up with Jon Bon Jovi, Sambora auditioned to the spot in KISS vacated by Ace Frehley.  When that fell through, he was tapped by Jon to replace Dave Sabo, who left Bon Jovi to form Skid Row.

 

Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on July 11 include...

 

1969 David Bowie releases Space Oddity.

1969 Rolling Stones release Honky Tonk Woman. 

 

1975 Fleetwood Mac releases self-titled album.

1979 Neil Young movie Rust Never Sleeps has premier in LA.

1982 Phil Collen replaces Pete Willis in Def Leppard,

1989 Bob Weir and Mickey Hart testify for rainforest preservation before US congress.  1992 Jerry Garcia neckties go on sale at Bloomingdales.

 

1994 Rolling Stones release VooDoo Lounge.

1995 Mike Mills of REM has emergency intestinal surgery, European tour delayed.

1997 Neil Young does un announced acoustic set at HORDE tour stop in Mountainview, California.

2002 Who bassist John Entwistle buried in Cotswolds, England.

2006 Rolling Stones open European leg of Bigger Bang Tour.

2010 Little Feat drummer Richie Hayward does his last concert before his death.

2010 Pearl Jam releases Lightning Bolt.

2010 Jimmy Buffett does free concert on Gulf Shores, Alabama beach to boost tourism in aftermath of BP oil spill.