WAN is a weird one. Any disenchantment from Richie over that album must come from the fact the album got in the way of his solo album, but there is no sense in that. I think he himself said WAN was fully recorded before Aftermath was finished. He must have known what committment came after recording.

Jon must have told him there would be enough time to complete his solo run. The problem I have always had with this is that Richie's solo album run its course. Release, tour, TV spots, they were all done by time WAN was released. That album had no more traction even if Richie wanted more time.

Richie also co-wrote five of the songs on WAN. He contributed to the mess that album was and is. Who knows, perhaps Because We Can, Pictures of You, What's Left Of Me, Thick As Thieves, and Army of One are Richie songs that Jon just changed a word on to get a credit.