Richie Interview

Man, I wish Richie was still able to play the same way he's able to talk and up himself every chance he gets. He even got into trashing Bon Jovi in questions that didn't warrant it. I do get where he's coming from, and why he feels the way he does, the last few Bon Jovi albums didn't have a lot for him to do (even if that's partly his fault), but then again, Aftermath isn't exactly stretching your wings and reaching your limits....

That's very sad to see. I mean, regardless of the issues Richie has with the current incarnation of Bon Jovi, it SHOULD NOT be publicly discussed with the media like this. I understand that he feels limited, but this is not the way to do it.

I'm just waiting to see how much of a 'masterpiece' his next solo album will be, with all this talk of 'jamming' and 'losing yourself'...

Totally agree.

Didn't Richie say not along ago that he would eventually return?

Yeah!...and that he had no more bitterness but just love for Jon

Guitar & Bass is a magazine aimed at musicians, though. Maybe he felt like he'd have to distance himself from the "uncool" Bon Jovi and act like he was always forced to hold back and never could shine for them in order to protect his "I'm a jamming blues guy" self perception.

Exactly. He claims he's the writer of the songs on one hand as if he's the one behind it all and on the other he claims he's being held back. Then he did Aftermath which was just as tailored as any Bon Jovi album has ever been. Every Road fit perfectly on AC radio but it still wasn't a hit. He can't say he's being held back when he doesn't broaden himself on his own solo albums. And he even said in one of the articles I posted that he wouldn't have made Stranger as bluesy as it was if he could do it over. He's a hit chaser as much as anyone. Personally, it would be fine with me if Jon and Richie never got back together if it meant no more songs like We Weren't Born to Follow or a variety of other songs from The Circle.

I get that this may be where he is coming from - but it's very sad that he has to do it this way.

Man this interview ticks me off. A session guitarist can't replace him? Dude, YOU walked away from the band. Forget about the reasons why and how justified you feel in it YOU put the band in a position where they needed a guitarist to fill the role. I think he genuinely thought the tour should have been cancelled when he walked. Truthfully the tour shouldn't have even started if he felt that strongly so you really can't think that's fair.

This! And all this time I thought Jon was the egomaniac in the band. Puts the band in a tough spot, and then gives them shit for carrying on and getting a more reliable player (yes I did say more reliable not better) to fill in for him? **** you Richie, just shut the **** up and play! Play with "Ori", Jam with Dolly Parton, Luke Ebbin or whoever you like, but just shut the **** up!