All-Mattering Review of March 23 Philly - Discuss

From what I've seen Richie just looks a little uninspired some nights, maybe he's bored and lacking focus. Or maybe he's fallen out with some band members.

On this performance of Homebound Train from Philadelphia Richie doesn't even look up at Dave or Bobby during their solos or call their names for that matter. If he was drunk or drugged up he'd have that stupid dazed grin he had before on performances leading up to the infamous Unplugged show.

I for one would hope Jon would pull the tour if Richie got up to his old antics again. But I really doubt Jon would let anything stop the juggernaut.

Time will tell and it's a real shame we're even discussing this. I used to think Richie was the most together guy in the band.

I don't like sitting here and making theories, but maybe it's the opposite. Maybe Richie's nerves and ****ups are coming from him being sober. If you take him at his word on interviews and in the doc and such, this might be the first tour where he's NOT flying out of his mind every show.

From that Homebound Train clip, it sounds like his voice is really lacking the power it had from say other performances like Witchita, Denver and Detroit. It sounds like he was just sick. I guess he just wanted to get through with it...

Believe me, I love Richie and totally hope he is ok and/or gets better - but this has been going on since their first performance at the Actor's studio and that, IMO, was obvious...as well as the TV promo appearances where he seems to not be able to play the slide solo to ST everytime...

I dont think its allergies, or getting older, or that he was blizted every other tour - Jon wouldnt put up with that from what i know - I think JBJ would keep him on tour and i actually believe Jon is a good guy and part of the reason this tour is so fast and so long is to give Richie something do and to be able to have people watch over him...

He could just be medicated and on his way to getting better which is prob hard bc no matter how easy they make it LOOK its still a real, mind-blowing, professional performance every night and he is trying to get better in the public with us scrutinizing every detail...

Lets all think good thoughts, allow him his ups and downs, and hopefully watch his progress towards overall wholeness...

JerseyPaul - how was the 2yr sleep welcome back to us!

well said
Dave

It was awesome.

Haha! Welcome back Paul.