What is Wrong With Jon's Voice?

Jon's tone had really taken a turn which is another big disappointment for me. I was listening to the duet he did of 'My Way' with Paul Anka and the part where Jon sings 'of one who kneels' is so strained, its such a disappointment and reminder of how his voice has changed. That was recorded in a studio too. Even his two Stand Up Guy songs sound off vocally because he produced them raw in his home studio. I really think he uses Shanks' big production to hide those struggles.

Losing your instrument must be heartbreaking to a lead singer.

I know this will never happen but what I would like to see is Richie to take over lead vocals. Jon of course remains in the band as backing vocals, rhythm guitarist and songwriter.

I know it's unrealistic but that would be so great. Plus it would really shake things up which is exactly what Bon Jovi needs right now to take them out of their comfort zone.

But, if Richie struggled to get through a few of his own shows and had vocal issues...can't see him lasting for a 60+ show tour as a lead vocalists considering he's never done that in his career. I personally would not like this idea at all.

No way! Come on, its not that bad.

Jon is still the better front man and still has that star quality.

They just need a change in direction and big hit / album. Jon just needs to find the right songs to fit his new voice.

Halleljuah is a perfect example to showcase Jons new '00 voice but 'Amen' is not answer.

See my earlier comment about how hard it is to be a vocalist. Being a frontman is an even bigger task. Hell, even Jon has been challenged on this front in the last few months.

Don't get me wrong, Richie is a stunning studio vocalist, really impressive and emotive. Live, his voice doesn't have the quality to sustain a 2hr + show; I think Seb commented and he is right - Richie's voice is much thinner live because he has to sustain it over a longer period.

On top of this, he is certainly NOT a frontman. Before all the replies of 'I saw him play in blah blah and he was amazing, crowd in the palm of his hand... ' etc etc... that's great. But he is a guitarist, playing to theatres - he is a musician and musicians are rarely great frontmen; which is why you can count on one hand the amount of truly legendary guitarist frontmen...

I can get over most of the issues mentioned here - tone, pitch, notes etc. The two things that do my head in are the pronunciation (it sounds ridiculous and lazy) and the country twang to his voice.

I do think you know its him to a certain extent though.

I have to say, I was in Denver, and I know it's not what it used to be, but I thought he sang great. I haven't had thy opinion on the other shows I've been to. He ROCKED.

IMO Jon's voice in KTF Tour was perfect, since he learned he wanted to be an actor, he learned to smoke too. His voice started to sound different since then, clearly starting from the CR Tour. The last shows on These Days Tour shows what was about to happen in the future.

Am I the only one who thinks Jon actually (early on in this tour) sounds/sings BETTER than on the last tour? Take Raise Your Hands for example - that (as an opener) sounded bloody awful in parts in Munich 2011 (check the live stream on YouTube if you don't believe me ) and nowadays he perfectly nails it IMHO. Also other notes seem to have more depth to it - like he really did take vocal coaching or something. Thinking how his voice usually gets better the longer the tour lasts I'm more than hopeful for a great show in June

Sorry, but I'd go into full rage mode if that happens. Jon's the singer, if Richie wants to sing, he can do a solo album.

Jon's voice is the only think that you can't take away of the band, might be hard to hear for some, but the Phil X think has showed us that.

Everybody has a place in the band, Richie's one is guitar and backing vocals. Also, I can't picture him singin' lots of Bon Jovi's songs, he just don't have the voice.