damn...

with no Richie, there is no Bon Jovi.

This guy does it really well, but he is miles away from Richie. Play guitar is not just do good covers and move the fingers too fast into de scales.

My thoughts exactly. I have tickets for 2 shows next weekend so I guess I will see in person how it goes.

Which besides Mohegan?

Richies obviously not fit to do the job at the moment and this Phil X has been asked to stand in temporarily(???) in one of the worlds biggest bands, whats he supposed to say "no thanks. I,m doing another guitar demo on Youtube!"?
He,s played one show after maybe two weeks rehearsing and you expect him to be better than the guitarist who has played with BJ for 25 years?
Of course this could also lead into a positive outcome where PX replaces Bobby and he and Richie share the lead role.

No, of course i expect Phil X to jump at the chance, that's a totally irrelevant point

No, I don't expect him to be better than Richie, I never said that either

That's not a positive outcome at all, Richie doesn't need to share the lead role with anyone. The best outcome would be to get Richie back, retain Bobby as a complete backing guitarist (i.e. just standing at the back playing chords, no shitty solos).

I know I just posted this in another thread but it can't hurt to put it here too.

"For what it's worth:

I was on the phone with the manager of Runaway tours because I'm taking the fanclub package to Dublin. The manager said that "Jon has all his shit together" and he thinks Richie will almost definitely be back for Europe. Who knows how much this guy knows, but it's worth sharing."

Problem is mate, he,s running a business and he,s not going to tell you Richie wont be coming to Europe as it will affect sales.

Despite the obvious financial implications involved, this is positive news

I guess this should be a wake up call for Richie. Some good work has been expected during the last few tours and records, but it seems that now he is fine doing just OK. I don't find him amazing anymore. And for what I've seen all over the Internet, people are not that sad or disappointed of Phil X, they are even satisfied due to the refreshment in the songs. Maybe if Richie realizes this, he might get to do a better job from now on... I mean... I can dream...

I had already purchased the package at that time, it wouldn't have affected a sale.