Richie Sambora!!!

But the story has been told Jackie. You're just in denial... You were so adamant about no one in the band using the word 'Drug or Alcohol' and were in complete denial because Jon used the word 'Habits' instead. It took someone to proved it to you by using another band members direct quote.

When you start stretching like this, you lose total and complete credibility amongst everyone here...



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RDK, I lost credibility with some people the very first time I posted, and for the same reason: because I believed Richie wouldn't jump ship without good reason and that the reason might involve Jon and the band. For some people, that alone made me a blind Richie-follower and, by default, a Jon-hater. Neither is true, but so much for damaged credibility. If that were a major concern, I woulda stopped posting a long time ago.

If you'd rather think I'm in denial instead of accepting that I just don't see things the way you do, go for it; but the fact remains that I fully realize Richie's "habits" could be the reason he didn't show up. I don't think I've ever denied that as a possible explanation. But I also think it's an awfully convenient explanation, so I still wonder if there's more to it than just that. David did say "drug addiction" and that's a new twist, so it's now in the hopper with all the other puzzle pieces. But it didn't magically answer all my questions.

You've made it clear that you believe Jon has told us everything we need to know, so you're convinced. I still have questions, so I'm not. Since there's no rule that says we have to agree, I suggest we just leave it at that.

Yeah, hope we'll STICK to one thread if we talk about one particular topic bc the mods here are right - too many twin threads make my head spin, I keep forgetting where and to whom I actually spoke to. No music from Richie now so maybe the general discussion can be held here?

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I finally listened to that interview with Dave and man, you can't be more blunt here. Can't deny Richie's way of numbing himself played a role in his leaving but you can't deny the growing tension between Jon and Richie months prior, either. So I agree with Jackie here - this would be too convenient for a full answer.
Whatever 'amalgamation of things' caused the split, it's obvious Richie wanted back but couldn't. As I was talking to a friend today, maybe something broke in Jon and he decided enough was enough and made a painful decision to keep going without him... YET, that would contradict his own words from the interview I can't find the damn link to, where he confessed he wanted to give up but Shanks persuaded him to continue, hence THINFS and a new sense of identity... See? We're never gonna find the whole truth, maybe bc it's still a very private matter and there's no way the Jovi mafia will spill all the beans.

There is no denying that Richie and Jon probably have had many creative differences overlapping multiple years but it's not enough for Richie to walk out in my opinion. What proves it to me is the solo material he released after TC. Aftermath was nothing more than rehashed post 2000 sounds and material. and yes, RSO was a disaster but they each had 3 or 4 songs each to showcase themselves and although the Richie stuff was decent, it wasn't anything different.

Richie's been messed up for a long time. He partied his way though the 80's and 90's (probably all through his marriage with Heather) with some lighter drugs like cocaine. Then he got all messed up on painkillers and who knows what else. He's been a disaster ever since.

- Jon had to promote half of Lost Highway without Richie because he was in rehab. Remember when he was completely wasted during the unplugged show? He missed American Idol and some of the other promo performances.

- Then Phil had to jump in during the TC/GH tour in 2011.

- What makes 2013 any different? We all saw the disaster he was after he left. Mad handling Orianthi like she was a rag doll, slurring his words in every interview, etc. Even up to the RnR HOF he seemed wasted. I still can't figure out his speech. He was out there.

I'm sure there was so much more in between that never went public. I think the RnR HOF was the icing on the cake for Jon. I think Jon knows its over and wants the fans to know the real truth so they don't blame him for the way the band is now.

The End!!!!

It sounds so... finite. *sigh* Guess this is it!

I had not realized this! That could well be some animosity in this. But just a few days prior to the Calgary show he tw a pic from the plane on the way back to LA from Hi and sounded excited to get back to the road.

Rehashing this, there are so many pieces to the puzzle. Don't forget the Sean Borg, Nikki Lund and even her mom input. I was Not on the list but she followed a lot of his fans and some I know received the DM's that IMO started the "he wants to go back but Jon won't let him" campaign. Richie did say maybe Hyde park and then Sept. that were not just quotes but videos out there. Then that was countered by the Randi Reed post that was more along the lines of his addictions/demons and the band loved and was worried.
Then when he moved on to the next (part of his problems too, thinking with the wrong body part, you know it's true) that crew was being buried in the desert and calling him an abusive drunk or worse. What a mess - but some of it he creates. Then his behaviour did him no favours. Several times Jon comes off as hurt (he's not that good an actor) and others angry. Just like a family fight. But, The BonJovi days for him are over no matter how much we hash it or want to blame someone. RDK is right, "The End". I hate it - maybe someday for a money grab, but that's what it would feel like at this point. I'd just like to feel like they were brothers again. It was part of the magic and they both need the other rather they will ever admit it or not.

I haven't figured out how to double quote - saw JackieBlue mentioned one of my favorites: From Guitars that Rule the World - Mr Sambo - it's my ring tone. My phone gets some looks. Recorded in one take. Written by Richie and Tico, with Richie on guitar, Tico on drums, Hugh on Bass. Recorded by Obie and Nick Dides at the Warehouse in PA. Mixed by Obie and Produced by Tico! It always makes me smile and need that!

https://twitter.com/deandelray/statu...75689617940481
or
https://soundcloud.com/deandelray/44...bryan-keyboard

David's hooks: Runaway, Wanted, Bad Medicine and Wild In The Streets
David:
"Everybody came with their parts"
"Richie went to rehab 3 times and he decided not to do it anymore, it's a job not a sentence and it's sucks 'cause it's a brother... but he didn't want to do it"
"We made a couple of rehearsals before, in LA when we were at there, just to make it easy for Richie coming here for last rehearsal, we put all the cards on the table"
David co-wrote Keep The Faith with J, R and D
the last time David saw Alec before HoF was in 1995...

David used that pesky word "addiction" again. But some still choose to not believe it. So much denial.

"You think he'll ever be back?"

"Strange thing about addiction is it doesn't cure itself. It's that tough love thing."

Honestly, I don't think anyone has ever said that Richie never had an addiction problem. Some of us just think that there is more to his departure than JUST that...

To be honest, the ones that are in denial are the ones that think we know all the details of this...

I've said it before, BJ has always been a secret society that always keep their personal affairs close to their chest. All of a sudden people think that they are telling us the full story? Talk about naive...

They tell us what they want us to know and that's it....

This draws into question what it means to "see" or "Talk to" someone. David would have seen Alec in 2001 at Giants Stadium so either he doesn't count that or he forgot. This seems a bit similar to no one talking to Richie even if technically it's not true.