damn...

And I just don't see why there should be a correlation. They want to play diverse setlists, and not the same night after night. If they just made Phil learn a 24 song standard setlist, everyone would complain. So they kick his ass to learn more stuff... for however long he's there. And if it was just for the 13 shows he would learn the songs, I would say.

If Mike was injured (or dead) the show will be cancelled. If a band member was injured (and yes, Michael did use a band on tour to play his music) they would probably find a replacement, which I'm sure 99% of fans would be ok with.

Hence why if Jon was injured, the shows would definitely be cancelled or postponed (in my opinion). But with Richie's situation, Jon & Phil X have given us a lifeline, and a chance to see a different show (hence why I'm more excited at the prospect of getting Phil X in London, which I doubt will be the case).

Michael Jackson's a solo artist, people went to see him, not his band, they were all, pretty much, session musicians. That's not the same thing as Richie in Bon Jovi. He's been there for 25 years, he's a primary songwriter, he's recognised worldwide as part of Bon Jovi, not some bloke that Jon Bon Jovi has paid to play on this particular tour with him.

Yes, but while Bon Jovi is a band, Jon is the namesake of it and the face of it. There are many people who think Jon is just a solo artist. We know damn well about the importance of the guys in the band, but we're big fans.

Another thing is that most casuals won't even pay attention to guitar or other instruments. I do, but then again, I play guitar myself and have been playing music for 15+ years. The average, casual listener knows the vocals, and if those are replaced, then they would notice.