The Future of Bon Jovi as said by Jon

I personally think Jon & Richie havent been the "brothers" they claim for quite some time, far beyond Richie bailing!!!!

You're probably right there. It goes back from 2007 in my opinion....

What happened in 2007? Jon wanting to go country?

Richie was talking about going country before the band took that route. Richie said he was going to make a solo album with guests including Kenny Chesney and Jo Dee Messina but it never happened. So Richie didn't have any objections to a country detour.

Even in the documentary Richie was saying he was happy being Jon´s right hand man and that Jon has been an amazing friend. The only way he could have made things seem better would have been if he was smoking Jon´s dick when saying it.

I think this all stems from his solo album. A mixture of him wanting more time, it failing, etc.

It is funny though that Richie is saying it is no Bon Jovi without him. In terms of the songs he is right of course, but he is and was a hired employee, so the show could go on. I think that´s why he has become ultra defensive over the songs and is putting his claim on them.

Bingo. I remember that too. People are really acting like Jon held a gun to Richie's head. Too poppy? Jon did it, Richie was forced. Country? How dare Jon make Richie do that. Come on, really? He's a grown ass man who was every bit a member as he's being credited for.

When Jon did Center Stage back in '04, he spoke very highly of Richie. He said "he is as loyal as they come"

I think the turn started a few years later in '07 during Richie's drinking / rehab days. I think that effected their relationship on both a professional and personal level.... it never fully recovered. I don't think the country musical direction has anything to do with it.

But after that Richie was very complimentary about Jon, saying he was the best friend possible etc.

I think this stems from the first time Phil X covered

Jon and Richie have just grown apart, both personally and musically, Richie seems to want to Rock out and follow his more soulfull side, music he believes in, whereas Jon seem to have gone for popularity, wanting to be the biggest and the best all the time, and stay more in "tune" with the new generation sound.......I think Jon should take some of the rap for his CEO attitude and turning the badn into the HUGE MACHINE it is/was.
I do think Sambo should shoulder some blame too, for the way he quit, letting his fans down.

In a way its a good thing this has finally come to a head, I think if it had gone on as it was, we would have seen even more of the likes of WAN etc etc, this way we probably will see some great stuff from Sambora again, AND with no pressure on Jon to be biggest and best, he may pull a GEM out of his creative talents......BUT I DO HOPE its not just an album full of Hallejulah wannabe songs and slow boring stuff,....

I have NO DOUBT we will see BON JOVI back in the saddle and as the original "FOUR", its too much of a cash cow for everyone concerned but I do hope that even the CEO will see that they need some QUALITY material and not just "good enough" for another album/tour etc etc.

IMO a lot of stuff is made up by the press. Jon and Richie have had disagreement, probably like colleague do, but nothing really heated. Jon and Richie have been there for each other (and so have Dave and Tico). Richie said there was no hostility from the band. He even went as far to say he regulary texts Tico and asked him if he'd like him to check up on his mum as he was in town. Tico's mum had broken her hip and Richie said that as he was around he could drop by and see how she was for him. As the band have always said if you don't hear it from their own mouths it's probably not true.

I think we'll see another Bon Jovi album tour in a few years with a few solo projects in between. Jon said that the tour was too soon (the same reason Richie gave for needing time out). I would think that would make him quite understanding and in any business sometimes staff have to take time out.

Bon Jovi aren't finished but I think they'll be slowing down a bit.