In hindsight was Richie leaving the tour the right decision?

What I found interesting is that how soon after Bon Jovi's tour was over he managed to start gigging around regularly. Some of those posts in the other thread about him not playing because Bon Jovi's touring might have some truth to them. While I doubt he was contractually forbidden to play while the band was touring it's entirely possible that out of respect he didn't do it. But then again, Phil played with some pub band while on the European tour and his words were (I can't play any Bon Jovi so let's see if you know this) and he proceeded to play some AC/DC. So who knows.

On to answering the question, it could be the best thing to have happened to the band or it could be the worst. It depends on how they handle things in the coming months/years. Richie definitely has hurt his reputation and may not be seen as a dependable guy anymore, which could hurt any deals he may have with any future tours but artistically speaking, they could find that spark again after they start writing together so a great album isn't impossible. I know Jon probably has a lot to say and that chip on his shoulder probably grew during the tour but Richie needs to be in it 100%.

But we still don't know the REAL reason why Richie left the tour, or know whether or not the departure is permanent: all we have are our "theories."

IF Jon called the band back to work sooner than he'd originally promised, he did the wrong thing. If he did it because he needed to raise money to become an pro sports franchise owner, or to stop Richie from pushing his solo album, he DEFINITELY did the wrong thing. IF Richie decided that he wasn't happy with either the new music or the role he was playing on the tour, then it was "wrong" of Richie to join the tour in the first place.

For the record, I think Jon did the right thing in replacing Richie on the tour. For the record, I think Richie is doing the right thing in protesting being demoted to a journeyman after all these (mega-successful) years. However, I certainly wouldn't blame Richie if retaining custody of his daughter was the core issue. And if Jon and Richie just plain don't like each other any more, then I think they're both wrong in not breaking up for good.

Or maybe Richie just had an artistic "midlife crisis" and needed time to "miss" being rock star. But that's only what I think, and it's based on what little we all know -- which may not the way it actually is.

If. Maybe. I don't know. Nobody knows. Who knows? That's a Jimi Hendrix song...

I can see your point DevilsSon in that Richie is definitely trying to do cool things. But for me it really depends what end that's going to lead to. I didn't get into Bon Jovi because of Sambora and most of his solo work (except a few songs on Stranger and Seven Years Gone) has had no impact on me whatsoever, so if that's what this is leading to as Richie as a solo artist then I'll wish him all the luck in the world, but it's not for me. If he can come back to the band, or is allowed back, refreshed and maybe him and JBJ can pull out something magical, then I'd pay attention. Though I really am interested to see what the band would come up with if Richie wasn't in the mix at all too. If it knocks JBJ into doing something more creative than WAN too then great.

So in answer to your question; it's definitely too early to tell.

I enjoyed the shows I went to without Richie (though likely not as much as if he had been there) and so that's not what pissed me off about him leaving the band - It was the way it was done and then the results of his minions feeding the tabloids and destroying the very ethic Bon Jovi had always been about. That leaves a lingering feeling with me I just can't shake because I admired the guy so much.

Yes, it was the right decision. For everyone. I've felt that way since the beginning which is why I was never angry/disappointed/whatever. With the way things were going with the band, it was inevitable that something like this would happen. Richie wasn't happy with the band anymore. I get that because I'm not happy with the band anymore either. I understand where he is coming from. I understand how the frustration of playing music he didn't care for made him fall out of love with music for a while.
No matter what happens, it can only be a positive outcome for me:
- Richie goes solo for good: I enjoy his solo work more than Bon Jovi
- Richie and Jon get it together and go back to making real, honest music again. Because Richie won't go back to the same situation that made him leave.

So, I'm happy either way, both possibilities are far more satisfying to me than a future of WAN-like albums...

It's hard to forget all those things which you want to forget. It's like someone kill your mother and then I'll tell you .. forget that your mother is dead, look at that situation in second perspective... no it doesn't work.

Richie play now with some good musicans but he did it also with BJ (Springsteen, Joe Eliott or others with many guest apperances) and so it works? no he made AOLowdown.

Of course this situation could do something good for example he will do something creativy like he didn't done before on next BJ album. But "maybe".

Maybe his ego will be higher and higher and Jon will fire him and Phil will be next guitar player and he will do better job than Richie on any BJ album? This is also one of possibility.

Or maybe Jon will fire him and every song on new album will have another guitar player (Phil X, Slash, Santana, Clapton ecc). Ooo it could be great.. but you know... we don't know what future brings


For now Richie done something stupid without any respect for fans and people who working for BJ on tour. He treat all like piece of crap. And he show that he doesn't have balls for now.

It make turn for something good for future? Yes it is that possibility but we can also say if Tico/Dave will quit maybe new people bring something good and different for this band? Maybe yes or maybe not. I will choose something different than way which Richie choosed.

So answering for your question - There is a little possibility that it makes something good for Bon Jovi. But for now i think that there is more possibility that band will broke up than something that unrespectfull make something good for band.

As if Slash, Clapton, Santana would want to record songs on a Bon Jovi record...
Be more realistic.

This thread isn't realistic so if i can dream that Richie's unrespectfull decission will make something good in bonjoviland I can also dream that Santana or Slash will record guitars for next BJ album

What you talking about The Band? if Richie, David and Tico out, would be a joke that Jon takes a new album as "Bon Jovi: The Band", then there would be an official member, only JBJ, and many unofficial musicians.

You Think that Phil will be an official guitarist as Richie if not come back? hahaha. Bobby probably will have more presence in the studio, continue doing the same shit on tour, as patched every time they touch "Have a Nice Day", when Phil does the riff, Bobby the guitar solo, and then Phil returns with the riff ... is ****ing pathetic.

HAND (PHIL+BOBBY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JStKfjMmIE#t=02m28s

HAND (SAMBORA+TELECASTER)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjZEE-gD2Gs#t=02m22s

Richie has an iconic presence in the stage, and I love his playing.

It was ironic.

There is no full band without any of them (Jon, Richie, David, Tico) but there is no Bon Jovi without respect for other boys from band and their fans.

The thing is, it's not like he was doing all this cool stuff during the tour. While the tour was still going on, he was jamming with the fabric. He could've stayed with the tour AND played these cool gigs afterword, and everybody would still be content.

I find it interesting that these few gigs have made many forget about fashion.