Matt O'Ree replaces Bobby Bandiera this tour.

I like that title.

Of course Bobby knew about this, why would you think this all transpired over 3 days. It was known in the camp, it was only leaked recently, as early back as August 30th.

Why? Because it was "leaked," rather than formally announcing it, so soon before the tour starts. I'm not disagreeing with you at all, I'm just saying that the circumstances SUGGEST that Bobby was replaced (or booted?) at the last minute. The technical term for it is "bad public relations."


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Jon said he hired Bobby to play his guitar parts live. If O'Ree can play Hendrix stuff, why waste him on rhythm stuff? Splitting the leads with Phil might make for a more dynamic show.

So I'm guessing that we will find out if this is only for these few shows or further when the next tour begins. Or does anyone know anything further??

Still standing by the fact that Matt knew 10 days ago at the very least, I have more faith in the band than blind siding Bobby with this news, this stuff had to have been decided long ago, especially with work visa's and leaving the country. Too much to risk on just happening last minute.

Aloha !

Whether he knew is one thing, but Bobby surely knew he wasn't going with them on tour. rocknation's ridiculous conspiracy thoughts don't make any sense, exactly because of what you're saying regarding work visa's and leaving the country. It's not like he's packing his bags and suddenly hears he's no longer needed.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Agreed. They're not making public announcements because

a) You have to be pretty hardcore to know who Bobby even is

and

b) Announcing the departure of ANOTHER guitarist (albeit we all know he was just on tour. General public ain't going to care enough to know the difference) would look terrible on the band's part.

I don't see any bad public relations here, I think they played it smart not making a fuss.

I'll go with A. Most people doesn't know who Bobby is. He's not an official member, there's no need of a message from the band.

Aloha !

Well, there's that. But then there's also the fact that they didn't announce the departure of Alec in 1994, didn't announce how Huey would join them, they didn't announce Jeff Kazee and Bobby joining the band in 2005, didn't announce the departure of Kazee, didn't announce Bobby on any subsequent tours, didn't announce as the whether Sambora would return, and didn't announce which guitarist would take Sambora's place this tour. That should pretty much indicate as to how many press releases Bon Jovi have done in regards to the band line up.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

I agree with that, too. But you don't switch guitarists ten days before an international tour unless you HAVE to -- especially when you don't have a record deal! Most likely, what blindsided Bobby were circumstances or other commitments that made it impossible for him to go (you know, like Richie?).
But that's all the more reason why you take command of the situation publicitywise rather than act mysterious or pretend it's "no big deal."