Richie Sambora Calls Bon Jovi Docuseries Jon's 'Perspective' as He Steps Out After Its Release (Exclusive)

The rocker performed at the Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala shortly after the docuseries, 'Thank You, Goodnight,' dropped

<p>Daniel Boczarski/Getty</p> Richie Sambora at the 2024 Kentucky Derby on May 4

Daniel Boczarski/Getty

Richie Sambora at the 2024 Kentucky Derby on May 4

Richie Sambora is sharing his thoughts on the new Bon Jovi docuseries.

Over the weekend, the former Bon Jovi guitarist, 64, stepped out for the first time since the Hulu docuseries, titled Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story, dropped on April 26, to perform at the 35th Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve Gala.

Following his performance at the annual event, in which he auctioned a guitar off for charity, the rocker spoke with PEOPLE about the series, saying that he felt it did not tell his story, but rather that of his former bandmate Jon Bon Jovi.

"It's his project and it's his perspective. I have a different perspective on all of that," Sambora says of the project, which features interviews with him, as well as former and current Bon Jovi members such as frontman Jon, 61, keyboardist David Bryan and drummer Tico Torres, as well as former collaborators and management.

The four-part series was directed and executive produced by Gotham Chopra. Jon is not credited as a producer.

Related: Richie Sambora Discusses Sudden 2013 Bon Jovi Exit, Says He 'Didn't Receive a Lot of Compassion'

<p>Ke.Mazur/WireImage</p> Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi and former guitarist Richie Sambora

Ke.Mazur/WireImage

Bon Jovi frontman Jon Bon Jovi and former guitarist Richie Sambora

During his chat with PEOPLE, the legendary guitarist also reflected on his gala performance, calling it "really good" but "too f------ short!"

"I only had 23 minutes, but I blew the roof off the place," he says of the set, which included just two songs: Bon Jovi classics "Wanted Dead or Alive" and "I'll Be There for You."

During the auction, Sambora noted, "We got $32,000 for the guitar for charity."

The rocker also spoke about his new music, stating that "everybody's loving" it, which he explained "makes me so happy."

Related: Inside Richie Sambora's 'Unbelievable' Life After Leaving Bon Jovi: Source (Exclusive)

<p>Michael Ochs Archives/Getty </p> Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora performing together in 1989

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora performing together in 1989

Before the premiere of Thank You, Goodnight, which included discussion of Sambora's highly publicized exit from the band in 2013, Jon revealed that he and the guitarist watched some of it together.

"He came over and watched three parts of the docuseries at my house," Jon told PEOPLE last month, adding, "There's never animosity."

The Bon Jovi frontman also shared that "there was nothing but love" when Sambora left the band to focus on raising his daughter Ava Sambora, 26, amid his divorce from ex Heather Locklear.

"There was never a fight," the singer said. "Ultimately being in a rock band is not a life sentence. He had to deal with his other issues."

<p>Dave Hogan/Getty </p> Bon Jovi performing live on June 23, 1995

Dave Hogan/Getty

Bon Jovi performing live on June 23, 1995

Related: Everything Bon Jovi Band Members Say About Richie Sambora's 'Heartbreaking' 2013 Exit in New Documentary

In March, a source told PEOPLE that "Richie and Ava are very close," adding that she "means everything to him and always has."

The source said Richie took advantage of the extra time he had after leaving the band to spend more time with Ava.

"He would drive Ava to school," said the insider. "She had been going through a lot and he was there for her. He would wake up in the morning and make her breakfast."

<p>Mike Coppola/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</p> Richie Sambora with daughter Ava Sambora in 2018

Mike Coppola/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Richie Sambora with daughter Ava Sambora in 2018

Sambora also opened up about Ava being one of the main reasons he decided to leave the band in the docuseries.

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“She needed me, and I needed here. Truthfully. We didn’t have enough time," he said his now-26-year-old daughter. “Things gang up on you, and I was dealing with that, as well as being a part of one of the biggest bands in the world."

"The band was stale at that point, and my job was to say that," Sambora added.

Thank You, Goodnight is currently available to stream on Hulu.

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