Richie Sambora celebrates his birthday today (July 11), and in addition to being a prolific guitarist, he also has one of the best “guitar faces” in the game.
What’s a “guitar face,” you may ask? It’s the many facial expressions a guitarist makes while they’re playing guitar, whether it’s when they’re crushing a solo or bending a note. As far as “guitar face” goes, Birthday Boy Sambora’s is iconic.
Want proof? Just scroll through our gallery below and see for yourself!
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarist Richie Sambora of the rock band "Bon Jovi" performs December 3, 2000 at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Newsmakers)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareAmerican guitarist Richie Sambora performs live on stage with Jon Bon Jovi at the Acer Arena on January 21, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of the band Bon Jovi performs during the Universal Appeal Concert March 24, 2001 at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Newsmakers)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora perofrms onstage at the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 46th Annual Induction And Awards at Marriott Marquis Hotel on June 18, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora onstage at the MusiCares 2005 Person of the Year Tribute to Brian Wilson at the Palladium on February 11, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora performs at the 'Rockin' The Corps An American Thank You Celebration Concert' at Camp Pendleton on April 1, 2005 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarist Richie Sambora of the band Bon Jovi performs during WPLJ-FM's "Sweet 16" anniversary concert at the Hard Rock Cafe on June 20, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarist/Singers Richie Sambora (L) and Jon Bon Jovi performs onstage during Live Earth New York at Giants Stadium on July 7, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs onstage during Live Earth New York at Giants Stadium on July 7, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora onstage at the MusiCares 2005 Person of the Year Tribute to Brian Wilson at the Palladium on February 11, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareAmerican guitarist Richie Sambora performs live on stage with Jon Bon Jovi at Acer Arena on January 21, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareBon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora performs during a sold-out show at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino April 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusicians Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi perform on stage during the 40th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 18, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora performs on stage during Rock in Rio Festival on June 4, 2010 in Arganda del Rey, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs on the beach during a benefit concert on October 15, 2010 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo by Skip Bolen/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareBon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora performs during a sold-out show at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino April 24, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs onstage during Live Earth New York at Giants Stadium on July 7, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareAmerican guitarist Richie Sambora performs live on stage with Jon Bon Jovi at Acer Arena on January 21, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Sergio Dionisio/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs at the O2 Arena during The Circle Tour on June 7, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs on stage at Rod Laver Arena on December 10, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora performs on Day 1 of the Calling Festival at Clapham Common on June 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs on stage at Etihad Stadium on December 11, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs on stage at Etihad Stadium on December 11, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarist Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs onstage during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 21, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareBon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora (L) and singer Jon Bon Jovi perform at the MGM Grand Garden Arena March 19, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareBon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena March 19, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarist Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs onstage during the 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 21, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Isaac Brekken/Getty Images for Clear Channel)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareMusician Richie Sambora performs at the 30th Annual Breeders' Cup "Songs In The Saddle: The Infield Music Fest" at Santa Anita Park on November 2, 2013 in Arcadia, California. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs on stage at Etihad Stadium on December 11, 2010 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora performs on Day 1 of the Calling Festival at Clapham Common on June 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareGuitarists Slash and Richie Sambora attend the NAMM Tec Awards at the Anaheim Hilton on on January 24, 2015 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of Bon Jovi performs live on stage during the second day of 'Hard Rock Calling' music festival at Hyde Park on June 25, 2011 in central London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora performs before the 2016 NRL Grand Final match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Melbourne Storm at ANZ Stadium on October 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Richie Sambora’s Guitar Face: The Good, The Bad & The Pouty
ShareRichie Sambora of RSO performs onstage during the 2017 NAMM Show Opening Day at Anaheim Convention Center on January 19, 2017 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
