Why do you want Richie back so bad?

Yeah, agreed. Love some Van Hagar while eating a burger.

Joke aside. No one said it wasn't possible. It is possible. But it's a completely unrealistic scenario that will never ever happen in the context of Bon Jovi.

As about how well it would work I don't know. In my book, Ripper Owens is a better singer and performer than Rob Halford. Judas Priest failed. Blaze Bayley is not that bad a frontman. No one wanted to see Iron Maiden with him. Skid Row with that guy they have now is absolutely embarrassing! Those are far better examples than the one you had given earlier when the frontman left the band in the early stages of their career. Not to mention that other than AC/DC, none of those bands were as popular as they were before they changed the frontman (Maiden doesn't count really as they only got any notoriety when Dickinson joined. Same with the Scorpions. Same with a whole lot of other bands who spent a couple of years finding themselves and going through line-up changes before hitting it big).

It's a waste of question and should never even be asked. Jon is Bon Jovi. No if's, but's or maybe's. Take him away, the band is dead. I'm not talking about abilities, holding the band back, singing. It's just a fact. It's got nothing at all to do with he is the CEO, that is the last of it and honestly the majority of the audience, don't give a shit about that or even know it. He is Bon Jovi. Has been from day one and will be until the end of time.

Take Bono away from U2? Take Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones? Take Chris Martin away from Coldplay? Never Ever will happen. Same with Bon Jovi.

As for this question with Richie Sambora. DevilsSon said it perfectly, read his post and that is my feelings 100%. There might be better guitar players but only one guitar player for Bon Jovi and that is Richie Sambora.

I've got a gun....it's loaded....and his name is Richie.

Nice trip down memory lane. Side note - I don't think I've ever seen Hugh featured so predominantly in a video. He was rocking at the beginning of the song!

A journalist who did a review of the Vienna gig said this in his article:

"Where Richie Sambora just needs one single note to give you goosebumps Phil X throws in five - but you still don´t get there"

These are my feelings exactly. It´s nothing against Phil X but for Bon Jovi there´s only Richie Sambora for me.
And I´m not sure if I should even compare guitars and keyboards in a rock band but it also wouldn´t feel the same if there would be somebody else standing behind the keys other than David Bryan, the same goes with Tico and his drums.

And the guys going on as Bon Jovi without Jon? That would be the biggest lawsuit in music history.

I don't miss Richie, and I agree if Jon was replaced I'd be totally fine with that. I know it won't actually happen, but you people getting outraged about the mere suggestion are pretty amusing.

So you'd be fine for a 'new' Bon Jovi...without Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora in it? Is that not what Tribute acts are for? I've seen Tribute JBJ's who are better singers than the real thing these days, but would I want one fronting the real band? Of course not...

What's amusing is seriously thinking Bon Jovi without both their main songwriters, their lead singer, lead guitarist, harmonies, backing vocals and rhythm guitar would still be Bon Jovi. Just say you don't care about the band anymore and would rather start following a new one. This "replace Jon and Richie" non-sense sounds to me like some lame attempt at being the new cool hipster fan or something.

After seeing the Munich show it's clear for me that Richie IS essential for this band and that his style, which has a lot of heart and soul in it along with his voice, are really making a difference. I was happy for Phil X being able to use the spotlight but he is not even close to replacing Richie.
And in addition, Jon seemed to miss Richie as well and he also seemed kind of lost at times.
So hopefully Richie will come back DURING this tour.

Funny reading this coming from someone who is 20 years old.....