Originally Posted by Eveline

I've read an interview with Jon once, where he said he didn't want to continue with the band but Shanks encouraged him to do so. It's not Phil who's "filling Richie's shoes" but Shanks, who conveniently became Jon's right hand-man on and off stage. Phil is just a happy guy playing some well-known tunes as accurately as possible, while it's Shanks' guitar on the actual tracks, on the actual stage and with him having a finger in every pie.