If he would just shut the fcuk up about that topic nobody would care anyway

But watch out, guys - there might be a twist nobody's thinking about:
As long as Jon keeps mentioning Richie from time to time and in that way he did in that quote, he keeps the public hope alive for a comeback someday. It doesn't even matter if there's any truth to it or not. Even fans who don't like the new songs but still reading the news keep it in their subconscious mind, if they realize it or not and thus keep some kind of interest alive.

Btw. it's the same way some governments work, but the other way around - constructing fear of something that doesn't exist.