Richie Sambora!!!

Not sure how or why that would happen because most people beyond the die hards even know who the guitarist in Bon Jovi is!

Depends. Your average person on the street, then yes I agree. The Rock community, not so. They are very into "bands" and you only have to read the comments on any BJ post on social media sites, such as "Classic Rock Magazine" and "Planet Rock Radio" or "Ultimate Classic Rock" etc etc and it's very different.

Also, the fact that UK media contacted Richie for an interview in response, and the fact that both Jon and Richie's comments did pick up some media interest suggests that there is still come mileage from the Richie stuff promo wise...

Well, it provided Jon's band the only press it has gotten all year from major rock pages/sites. What else is going to generate Jon Bon Jovi related traffic? The music?
If you've ever peeked at a vitriolic comment section on a Bon Jovi post on these sites, its littered with a) "they went bubblegum pop" & 2) "I stopped paying attention after Sambora".
Anyone remotely interested in Bon Jovi's pre 2000s MUSIC knows about Richie Sambora. A lot of casual "fans" who behave like bots on social media probably don't know about the other members & how would they? Album cover, [every]YouTube video thumbnail & podcast appearances only has Mr. Greyhair Permafrown on.

I'm sure Richie knows that Jon would throw his own mother under a bus if he thought it'd sell another record or two.

As for saying he wishes Richie were back in the band, seems to me that Jon isn't sure how he wants to use the Richie card. He's been playing both ends against the middle for 7 years. He's used it for sympathy to get/keep fans on his side. He's played it to avoid losing fence-riders by focusing on Richie's addictions and steering them away from any questions that might lead to him or the band.

He used it as the inspiration for THINFS.

Ever since the snafu in December, when his statement that BJ isn't dependent on a lead guitar player bc "it's about me" got such negative feedback, he's been using it to to downplay his arrogance and come across as the understanding boss who loves the guy and wishes he were still in the band... y'know, if he weren't such a slacker.

And as Faceman suggested, he could also be using it to keep interest in the band alive as well as hope that there may be a reunion; or to pave the way for one should things go in that direction.

All that, in addition to your idea of creating a buzz for an album Richie's not even a part of.

Damn! Jon's getting a lot of mileage out of a lead guitarist he was never dependent upon.

Good analysis Jackie. I think Jon's ego and subconscious are playing tricks on him. The guy moves on without Richie, but he's still living with the ghost.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think THIS is the kind of thing Ilene meant when she tweeted to Jon (aka Ying), "you can't help but take a jab when you're annoyed the topic still comes up..." Not Richie coming up in interviews; because reporters know the game, and so does Ilene. Promos aren't about Richie or old news. Their purpose is to bring attention to a new single, album, or tour. If Jon didn't want to discuss Richie, he'd let reporters know beforehand, or deflect questions, or stick with "he just didn't show up. Plus, if he's annoyed about the topic coming up in interviews, he wouldn't find a way, when reporters don't ask him about Richie, to still manage to work him into his response to some other question.

So I think she was talking more about the way Richie still crops up in comments from fans and critics when new music is released, or when they make negative comparisons between the current Bon Jovi and the band it used to be.

When it comes to fans and reviews, and how they still bring Richie into everything, Jon doesn't have the same control he has over interviews. He can't, with any dignity, respond to subjective opinions about the quality of the band or its music; but he can use interviews as a platform to strike back against the implication that Richie is the missing factor by making digs, and reminding ppl that Richie's the one who "bailed" for no good reason; so he's the one to blame.

I honestly think that, on some level, Jon's surprised that it's even still an issue. IDK, maybe he initially underestimated the long-term impact Richie's departure would have. I'm sure he knew it would cause a bigger stir than Alec's; but maybe he thought that, as a topic of discussion, Richie would eventually go away like Alec did, even if it took a little longer.

But, so far, that hasn't happened. I give it another 20 years. Thirty, if Jon keeps bringing it up.

What's actually up with Richie's solo album? Didn't he say that it was more or less finished around the first lockdown? Time for a release I'd say.

In an interview Bob Rock did, 3 or 4 months back, he said it was done. But he also said that, like many musicians, since everybody was in quarantine, Richie kept hearing things he wasn't satisfied with, or that he wanted to improve. I got the impression, though, that Bob talked him out of that and got him to leave well enough alone, so I think it's done.

(Sorry, the transcript from that interview that I promised you guys got sidetracked, I need to get back on it.)

The daily mail video also stated that he had signed a solo deal with BMG, so I expect that the wheels will be in motion to get that moving. Everything is moving slower than usual at the moment though, labels are still dealing with all the records that have been delayed this year and will be well into next year.

Like Axl and Slash this will be talked about and brought up at every interview/promo chat until the reunion actually happens so after 7x years it's time to look forward to the next 7x years of will he/won't he ...