Richie Sambora, former guitarist of Bon Jovi, shared an amazing story about meeting and working with Paul McCartney during an interview on Howie Mandel Does Stuff. Sambora said he not only met the famous Beatle but also got to work with him on a Bon Jovi song. McCartney also recently shared his last photos with Quincy Jones.
“I was in Henson [Recording Studios], which was A&M at the time,” Sambora said (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar). “We were pretty popular, so, I’m the guy that likes to go around the studio and go, ‘Who’s in today? What’s happening?’ ‘Don Henley‘s over here in B, and Sting‘s doing his thing over there. And then Paul’s in there.’ I go, ‘Paul, who?’ ‘Paul McCartney.’ I had never met a Beatle in my life. I was probably almost 40.”
The meeting happened at Henson Recording Studios (formerly A&M Studios) while Sambora was mixing Bon Jovi’s live album, One Wild Night. Curious about who else was recording, Sambora found out McCartney was in the studio next door. After waiting to see him, Sambora accidentally bumped into McCartney in the hallway.
McCartney joked, “See you’re practicing, are you, mate?” and picked up a guitar, even though he’s left-handed and Sambora is right-handed.
The two sat down and started talking so much that others had to separate them. Later, McCartney joined Sambora in his studio, grabbed one of his guitars, and even helped mix a Bon Jovi track.
Sambora couldn’t remember which song McCartney helped with but said it was from the One Wild Night album. He called the experience a dream come true for any musician.
