Richie Sambora pulled out of the Bon Jovi tour to spend time with his family.

The 54-year-old guitarist hasn't played with the 'Bad Medicine' rockers since failing to appear for a show in Canada in April when his absence was put down to ''personal issues'' but has now revealed he couldn't bear to be away from his 16-year-old daughter Ava - who he had with ex-wife Heather Locklear.

He told 'The Today Show Australia': ''Honestly, I went out for the first leg of the tour, I had no idea this was going to happen.

''I started spending time with my kid and my spirit wouldn't pull myself out the door. I just needed to be home.''

Richie is hoping to reunite with Bon Jovi - who are set to begin their the Asia leg of their 'Because We Can' tour on December 3 - and doesn't think his departure marked an end to the band.

He said: ''I think so, yeah. I don't think it's going to be the end of the band.''