According to
a book that Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley has written:
Quote:
|
"With Ace gone, we put the word out that we were looking for a new guitar slinger. Among others, we auditioned Steve Farris of Mr. Mister, Robben Ford, who was a great blues player, and Steve Hunter. Richie Sambora, who was in a newly formed band called Bon Jovi, flew in from New Jersey to audition. He wasn't yet the consummate player he would become, and he didn't get the gig."
|
Interesting story, though
quickly debunked by Jovitalk's historians -- Richie joined Bon Jovi a few months AFTER the Kiss audition. But suppose Stanley HAD gotten it right?
Suppose Richie had committed to working with the totally unknown Bon Jovi when he was invited to take a shot at definite fame and quick fortune with Kiss. Actually, we DON'T have to suppose, because that's exactly what happened to Tico -- he says he was invited to join Ozzy Osbourne's band when work on
7800 Fahrenheit was beginning.
So put yourself in their shoes: Though starting on the bottom means you'll have more artistic control, there's no guarantee you'll hit it big. Though joining a band that's already hit it big doesn't guarantee either job security or artistic input, it does mean easier paydays and something you can put on your resume. And if that's not interesting enough, let's say that Jon gets mad and says "Well, I hope you
do get the gig, because you've lost this one." What do you decide?