Jon definitely even mentioned it during the Japanese shows (I think the one that opened with Great Balls Of Fire). And it was VERY visible throughout the rest of 2006 that Richie had fallen (in the shower and off the wagon).
When they entered the stage in Hessisch-Lichtenau that year, I didn't recognize him in the first few seconds since the last I had seen of them had been the Amsterdam promo gig in 2005.