Why do you want Richie back so bad?

Have you noticed, that everyone who thinks Phil X is doing a great job are actually pretty good guitar players themselves? And almost everyone who says he's shit are not.

Playing everything as it is on the record, or the way someone plays stuff, isn't really playing. It's copying and it's not creative in the least bit. That's why I prefer someone who plays the songs right, but brings his own vibe in. Something Richie hasn't really done in years.

I haven't heard any mistakes in the solos, he just plays different solos than Richie does. It's not wrong or a mistake, it's interpretation. Much like Jon doesn't sing what he used to sing on the record. He may sing the same lyrics, but the melodies aren't the same.

But you don't like improvising, you say it's a mistake if you don't play the solos like they are on the record? The ending of KTF is all improvisation and almost everyone have said how great it is. Has it ever occured to you that maybe Phil X isn't allowed to improvise, he's told to play the songs as they are. And the solos are the only places where he can express himself more freely?

I'd love to see that as well.

No one is saying you're wrong, these are opinions. But don't slag Phil X as a musician and a guitar player just because you think someone else should be in his place. He was hired to do a job and he does it great. It's not his fault Richie isn't there. It's not his fault Jon won't let the band move or improvise. He does the best with what he's been given and he does it really well.

Ice

I'd cut this short. I don't want to slag him. If there is anyone to be slagged for his playing, it's Bobby. Phil does fine job. I'd just prefer Richie there. If this is not possible, I'd like someone who plays it the way Richie does. I really don't hear what greatness and refreshment Phil brings. It's just halfway between him being there as an almost invisible replacement and someone with a space to show himself. Unfortunatelly I just happen to dislike when tries to enrich Bon Jovi's music (apart from the Always outro from one US show when I was like, wow, this sounds interesting there). There are many bands around who changed their guitarists but the new ones were able to play the old stuff. I don't think that Richie's part are that unique or complicated but I haven't heard anyone play it good enough for me.

I think having Phil there together with Richie would sound interesting. It could push Richie to show more than he usually does. Bobby isn't any competition.

One more thing - I don't like the situation when they try to pretend like nothing happened. If it is so, I'd expect Phil play it note by note as Richie. Or they should declare that Richie is not there and Phil could be given some real space (sing a cover in Sleep or a solo) and David with Tico should get some recognition as well.

I actually haven't noticed that. Now I read through the thread again and I still don't notice that. Or is there some 'Pretty Good Guitar Player' badge that I don't see. Or maybe a 'Not so good guitar player' badge?

Not that it's relevant...

The gist of this conversation is the following: Phil X is great and hell, he brings so much energy that it's difficult to not like it. In terms of his playing style - he fits great with pre 1995 ROCK songs. In the end he comes from the same 80s EVH shredding school that Richie was influenced by up until 1992ish. That's why Keep the Faith is so amazing. That's why Lay Your Hands on Me worked so well.


Anything bluesy, be it I'll Be There For You, Wanted Dear or Alive, Dry County, Bed of Roses, Always....give me a break. There are players who sound better in tribute bands. And if that's called 'improvisation' well, then I'd rather have Richie Sambora play with one hand while drunk.

New stuff - even I could play and I don't have any of those two badges I mentioned above.

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's Richie guys. WTF is wrong with you all?

I mean, besides all the rational reasons like his backing vocals, guitar playing and stage presence, Richie is and always will be the BJ guitarist. He is the dude that blows everyone away in the live from London DVD right from the moment he begins the prayer intro until the last song. Yeah, I know he ain't the same but you guys know who else ain't the same? Freaking JBJ. I wouldn't replace Jon though as I wouldn't replace Richie. Ever.

I like Phil X but he can't back BJ songs vocally for shit, it's terrible. I really enjoy some of his playing but now rarities and special moments are out of the picture and the whole thing seems off to me. I get the feeling everytime I watch this "new BJ" that something is missing and I watch it out of morbid curiosity.

I admit this all comes from a die-hard BJ fan, not a casual. But I can't believe some die-hards here would replace Richie, just doesn't seem possible.

BOOM!! What he said...

Bon Jovi for me is JBJ, Richie, Dave & Tico.
The combination of their individual sounds is what makes this band for me.
Just compare the bland sound of the keyboards on any of the JBJ solo gigs to Dave's performance. Not even close.

When these guys are together: it's Bon Jovi - the band.
Take one of these elements out: it's not Bon Jovi - the band and I'm not going.

Phil X is a great guitar player, but he's not Richie Sambora. He doesn't have the same emotion flowing through the notes. Is he a better player than Richie? Perhaps. Does he deliver the same feeling? No! The connection to the songs just isn't there when somebody else other than Richie plays it.

Yes and No!

No, Phil is not a phenomenal guitar player…
He is an average professional session player. I know a few professional session guitar players and all I can say is that Phil is not that phenomenal. He's just what a real professional session player should be - a technically pretty good guitar player.

Yes, he could play anything with fun…
too bad Jon doesn't give Phil the chance to shine just like he can… I'd love to see him going crazy every single song, but the guy does what he's told. Ice is damn right that with BJ Phil does what he is paid to do and Yes, I agree! He is doing his job pretty good.

This.

I totally agree here, but the biggest issue for me is that Phil doesn't have his own style.

We all (or at least most of the guitar players here) know the famous BB's vibrato, Eddie's tapping, Joe's legato, Gilbert's fantastic string skipping, Vai's style, Yngwie's speed or sweep, Kee's melody soloing, Zakk 's screams, Gary pull-offs, Gilmour's bends or the feeling of Jeff Beck, just to name a few.

The old Guitar Player Magazine issue from June 1977 includes an interview with Pat Martino.

In that interview Pat explains how he bumped into Les Paul while taking a walk in NY.
“Mr. Les Paul, I’m a big fan!”, Pat says, very pleased to meet his guitar hero.
Then Les Paul does a one-liner :
“Pat, you sure play a lot of notes, but does your mother recognize you on the radio?”

This story has changed Kee Marcello's guitar playing… so the question is:
Does Phil's mother recognize him on the radio?

So, would you say - "Wow, that's Phil X!" just by hearing a live recording, because you recognized his style? Just like you'll do when you hear Michael Schenker, Gary Moore, Mark Knopfler or even Slash? I doubt it…

Phil's vibrato is nothing special, his bends are not that great, his double hand tapping is average, he's also not that fast, no clean sweeps, and also I really can't feel the feeling in his music… btw, here I'm talking about The Drills and Phil X solo performances, not the Bon Jovi ones.

I really would like to see a guitar player with a different and recognizable guitar style on Richie's place. Different solos, not in the style of Richie… no limits. Just like Norum (amazing Schenker-Moore hybrid) in Dokken, Morse in Purple or Marcello in Europe. I loved what Michael Landau did with Bed Medicine and Wanted Dead Or Alive. BTW, that Wanted solo was stunning! Damn, I know this solo is a classic solo, a trade mark, but what Michael did on that gala in LA was amazing. Too bad youtube removed that video or at least I can't find it.

Yes, I agree that Phil tried to improvise a few solos (Dry County included), but without any huge success… he was really sloppy and repeatable.

After all that all I could say is that Phil is the only reason why I'll see the band this tour… I've been tired of the same BJ show over and over again. Phil is wild and funny, just like Richie used to be.

To answer the main question: I already said that two weeks ago, so I'll do a quick copy-paste:

Just ask yourself: Do I really want a guitar player, who doesn't want to be there ? Do I really want an auto pilot guitar player, just because it's Richie?

I don't… plus when Richie isn't on stage, Jon really gets into the shows. He gives everything he's got and carries it, even when his voice sounds like shit.

What bands are these exactly? Granted, a majority of bands don't have one member being the D-bag/Quarterback/General/Dictator out in public and every interview the way Jon does. That said though, I can think of very few that are full-on democracy. Most have one or two members who are the main creative vision/songwriters/etc.

You beat me to this, glad I'm not the only one that wanted to call out this bullshit!

It doesn't matter how "good" a guitarist you are (who decides if you are "good"?) people can call it like they see it.

Can I judge it? I know Phil... by that I don't mean I've seen him play a few times, although I have... I know him. I met him first when he toured with former house and classmates... and many times since. He's ****ing good (although a mediocre drinker...) but he plays with precision not soul. It's the difference between rock and blues tbh - Richie's a blues guitarist, Phil is a rock guitarist - he's technically great but that's what he aims for while Richie aims for soul. Soul works better for me.