Aloha !

Yeah, and because they are linked, the record company will provide financial backing for the promotion under the condition that they've got something to say about what the album is going to be like. After all, they're investing money in it as well.

No one really knows what the deal is with Jon's contract, and I doubt Jon is willing to discuss the matter as it will show how much influence he's got over the stuff he is releasing, and how much of the creative decisions are his choice, or the record company's decision. It has been very obvious that the record company does have a say in what ends up on the albums after having dismissed the first demos for Bounce, the first edition of Have A Nice Day and Jon being "allowed" to do a country album under the condition that the next release would be a Greatest Hits etc.

I doubt they are legally bound to tour, but he is legally bound to do some promotional activities. And because he has to do them, yet isn't very willing to do them, they've been so shit lately. The entire deal is done with the intention to make as much money as possible, but it's taken all the fun out of it. They do need to deliver an album in a certain period, this can be a live album, compilation record or new studio record. Aerosmith's deal was build that way, hence the insane amount of compilation albums in the last decade.

People thinking a Jon solo record will be so different are delusional. Bon Jovi records, and especially the last one, are essentially Jon solo records. Sure, Richie Sambora's got some writing credit on the songs, but it's Jon only who decides that the album will sound like. It's very clear what direction Jon wants to go with a true solo record, but it's also something no one but a select few will care for. (Not Running Anymore, Amen, and more of that snoozerock). But no record company will back it up with a giant promo tour because really, no one cares. And Jon knows this too, so why bother recording that stuff anyway?

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan