POLL!! Bon Jovi without Richie??

It's just a guess, but I think they could have. Jon already had a deal before he had a Richie. It's sort of like Dave's quote about the road crew on the SWW video: Without them, well, we'd still be doing it because we'd hire other people. It wouldn't be the SAME, but it doesn't mean it would not have BEEN. Richie's no more to credit for their breakout success than Jon, Desmond, Doc, or Bruce. He's a piece in the puzzle, but he's not the glue holding the band together. There are better guitarists, better singers, better drummers... but the whole is what made Bon Jovi what they are and taking away one part would change what we have, but it doesn't mandate there wouldn't be something just as good or just as successful--only that there would be something different. Look at Alec... he played a major role in the band becoming what it was, but they have survived and thrived without him.

Becky

I agree with all what you said here. Although richie IMO is a much better musician (guitarplayer, singer and songwriter), and I like his solo stuff a lot. In Bon Jovi he's just a member of the team, a very important member.

As Becky and a lot others said, there are so many aspects to count on, but one thing is sure: Richie is a more complete mucisian then Jon, his one of the most complete guitarplayes our days, and most importand he konws howe to perform live.

Would we have a "wanted", if Richie wasnt one of the boys? I don't think so, and what would a BJ show be like without Wanted?

An other thing is that Richie is much more imaginative then the other goys, just take a look on the "Live in London" DVD, these solos are something he makes up for that show special.

And Jon and Richie as seperated? Of course Jon would have maked records. But fore me it's sure that Richie would have got longer, he is just more complete, specially on a guitar. But he would never have been the frontman Jon is, so to me that battle is unsettled :=)