Bon Jovi plan two year break

Bon Jovi will take a two-year break when they finish their 2011 world tour.

The New Jersey rockers - who were named the highest grossing touring act of 2010 - have revealed plans to go on hiatus after they play their last tour date in Lisbon, Portugal in July so fans will "appreciate" them more.

Drummer Tico Torres said: "Sometimes you need to get away so people can appreciate you better, and you also have to get away to live your life and create and recharge. So the best thing I can tell you is we're gonna need a couple years off for sure."

Guitarist Richie Sambora has, however, assured fans the break will not be permanent because the group - which also includes Jon Bon Jovi and David Bryan - want to continue touring for as long as possible like the Rolling Stones.

He said: "We do need a little bit of a break, but not that much of a break, because what's going to happen is there's more songs to be written and. Y'know, guess what? We want to be the Rolling Stones. I know I do.

"We're just going out there and working our a***s off and enjoying it, actually being the best band of our lives. We're not gonna quit. We're gonna keep on going and writing new, great songs, go in the studio and make great records, evolve more and get back into stadiums and give people a great, great show."

Although lead singer Jon has plans to make a solo record during the break, Richie is adamant it won't affect the band reforming after their hiatus.

He told Rolling Stone magazine: "Everybody gets to be an individual. He's the leader of this band and you've got to respect that. Who knows what the hell he's gonna do, but it's okay with all of us. We're all gonna stick together. We're like a gang."