Realistically, what would Richie have brought to THINFS?

I know, but sometimes I think that some people blame Richie by Jon's vision. There is a reason for his departure, precisely the artistic and musical.

I just wanted to say, that I find it sad that Jon to do something decent have to spend all this.

Where is Bobby? one of the best things of the band now, not more Bobby.

Yes. It's called alcoholism. It's been more than obvious you've never dealt with an alcoholic. Anyone who has had to deal with one, particularly the type that can't handle their alcohol, can recognize it all over the lyrics for "Living With the Ghost."

You have a very rosy view of Richie that is not tied to reality.

Go tell your shadows that I got out alive...... Great song and yes, has Richie all over it.

Precisely. That line in particular.

Knowing what the deal is helps to understand why Jon would close the door to letting him back. It's something that has been long overdue. I know it's a disease, but it's a very selfish disease. They know what's going to happen every time they decide to pick up that bottle and use it as an excuse to shit on everyone. Jon put up with it for years.. trying to help Richie in any way he could. He had to constantly worry whether Richie was going turn up to a gig drunk, which gave way to not even turning up. We don't even hear about the likely constant drama that was going on backstage or behind the scenes that is a hallmark of drunks.

Then some Richie fans got a good taste of that when Richie did the same thing with his own solo shows.

It's obvious to most people that the party line of musical differences is only a part of the real reason RS left the band.

But it's not bashing someone to point out they are playing drunk/high and it's then resulting in a sloppy performance.

There's no vendetta against Richie. I've no doubt he would have enhanced songs with his backing vocals. He's got a great voice.

Let's not confuse opinion with fact. Hitting bum notes, missing your cue, mumbling between songs, sounding incoherent at times is not an opinion.



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In retrospect I think you are entirely right. I remember Richie being drunk hitting the news after a 9/11 show in 2001. At the time I figured - rock star - drunk - sure. But if you have to deal with that on a daily basis if you are touring, or trying to write an album, that would get old very fast. Especially if you are Jon who is a workaholic and a perfectionist. It is commendable that he put up with it all those years.

That is another issue different, but when Richie left, looked very sober, and take that decision.

Jon took the decision to launch a mediocre album as What About Now. Jon could have worked more on the album, in his letters, even give more time Richie to be a better album. The story was not so. If Jon had obtained their football team, there would be no new album now.

This is a sorry fact in your post. I also believe this. Personally I think Jon knows that he doesn't have that much more time in the music business and he wants to move on to owning an NFL team. I'm sure he will, either sooner or later.

How many minutes did that last? The last time he looked sober in a solo picture was from BEFORE What About Now.

Cleveland 2013 was great show. You simply push the same thing over and over again, but never rethought other issues or circumstances.