Should the band go on without Richie?

I disagree, and I think most people would. But your'e entitled to your opinion.
For me it just wouldn't be the same at all having another guitarist replacing Richie.

I have to disagree with that statement. Take a look at the song writing credits for the bands entire career. Now remove all songs co-written by Sambora.

Prayer, Bad Name, Wanted, LYHOM, Bad Rx, BTBMB, I'll Be There, Faith, IML and HAND just to name a few.

Same band, No Way. I'm not taking anything away from the contributions Alec or Hugh have made, or Tico and Dave for that matter. I think you're talking apple and oranges.

Look at the credibility that Guns n' Roses have these days. Can't imagine JBJ in a similar situation to Axl.

Leader singer + Lead Guitarist = Untouchable

The rest, with no disrespect to Dave, Tico & Hugh, you could go on without.
(God love them).

I mean, if in 3 years time BJ brought out a new album and David had quit the band, would we really consider not buying it????

BJ without Richie wouldn't be BJ and I'm quite sure if Richie wouldn't return Jon would quit the band. Richie is way too important for the band, he isn't just a musician but also writes songs and produces them. Jon for sure would continue making music, maybe even with Tico and David but not under the name Bon Jovi.

As for cancelling the upcoming stuff. For Puerto Rico it was too late to cancel and they did the right thing but if they know that Richie won't be in London they should cancel this. There are insurances that cover the costs when a show has to be cancelled for health issues. Hull was totally different, nobody was sick then, they just weren't in the mood for it. This is of course no reason to cancell and let an isurance pay.

But according to a spokesman it isn't decided yet if Richie will be in London or not and a spokesman of the O2-Arena said everything happens as planned, incl. Richie. BBC news said that Richie plans to be back for Today Show and London, this doesn't mean of course that he really will make it.

They should do the tour dates they cannot reschedule with a replacement, but as far as going on as an active band, writing albums and all of that, either wait for Richie to sober up or call it quits.

sambora - great guitar player, though that doesn't show much in the studio albums

if sambora out of the band then who??

nah, jon should stick with the most talented band member, help him out, def leppard without steve clark hasn't been the same, so will it be for bon jovi

hope they get "it going on" soon

Good question!!!
I hope Richie will be better, and back soon. I think, the Bon Jovi band wouldn't be the same without Richie.

Song writing and producing aside, Richie's vocals are a big part of the Bon Jovi "sound." Bon Jovi would NOT be Bon Jovi without him. I heard MAM for the first time on the radio, flipping stations, and caught it just as Richie echoed Jon. I hadn't heard ANY of the preview snippets and I knew IMMEDIATELY who's song it was. If BJ went on without him, I'd stop buying albums because the songs wouldn't sound like Bon Jovi anymore. I've heard Jon's solo versions of BJ songs, and they just don't sound right.

As for the concerts. . . play the ones they can't get out of, and reschedule the rest. I suppose it is possible Richie could leave rehab and bring a counselor with him, but whether he'd want to? *shrug* If being at gigs is a trigger for him, it would be best for him to stay far, far away until he is strong enough to handle it.

Well with the exceptions of O2 and Edmenton, they can't reschedule anything. The Calgary Stampede will happen, Cheyenne frontier Days will go on as well as will Summerfest and Live Earth.

As for Richie, he has to do what he has to and I can't imagine that Jon or any of the band expects him to come back until he has made himself well. According to a post I read on the PR show Jon kept talking about him between songs, said his spirit was hanging with them, and dedicated Wanted to him so there seems to be no doubt that Jon and the band want him with them as soon as he can be.

I don't think they cancel any of the appearances they have already booked. Even if Richie isn't there knowing they are carrying on with their commitments, which is a BJ tradition, has to be easier for him to deal with than knowing they cancelled because of him.

As for me, I have tickets to a couple shows , I'll go, make the best of it if Richie isn't there, I'm one of those who actually thinks Bobby is talented enough to do a competent job. It won't be the same, and I will miss him , but I figure that if he doesn't make the summer shows, those ten nights in jersey this fall will be that much more fun to watch, when he is well, feeling good and ready to play.

If the history of the Rolling Stones hasn't taught us anything then I feel sorry for those of us who aren't aware.Several members of the band including Ronnie Wood have battled addictions and are still with them.Even Charlie Watts had problems with substances and the Stones carried on.Bon Jovi will too with Richie.I am not saying that they used other players too fill in I am just poing out that they both have things in common.Long live Bon Jovi with Richie.