Richie Sambora and Les Paul

Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora is apparently a family man. He was originally on the bill for Les Paul's 90th birthday celebration this Sunday (June 19) at New York City's Carnegie Hall, but says he had to "bow out" because it's Father's Day.

However, Sambora, who recently inducted Paul into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, will guest star on the guitar legend's upcoming tribute album, American Made World Played, due out August 30th. Sambora told us that if it weren't for Paul, he just might be out of a job:
[ click to listen if you have a Backstage Pass] "Les and I have been friends for many, many years and I think he's the reason why we all have a job. He invented the electric guitar and also multi-track recording, so everyone in the industry should be thanking him for doing it."

Also appearing on the Les Paul tribute CD are Peter Frampton, Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Johnny Rzeznik, Steve Miller, and Sting.

Meanwhile, this weekend's birthday celebration will feature performances by Miller, Frampton and others.

Bon Jovi will release a new studio album on September 20 and plan to tour shortly afterward.

The band recently joined the Live 8 concert line-up scheduled for July 2 in Philadelphia.

Sambora has one child, daughter Ava, with actress Heather Locklear, the former wife of Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.
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