No Richie on current leg of the tour

My thoughts too. He's out of whatever treatment program and is picking up life where he left off 3 weeks ago.

He's off this leg so tonight's show isn't even on his radar.

If he's promoting his video contest, that means the gag order theory is moot.

I noticed Bobby is looking a little thick in the middle. That theory is about as plausible as some of the others, lol.

Phil x was good but he was no richie, hoping and praying hes still comming back.

What it means is, he has a contract with Jon that right now, he is not fulfilling. What is in that contract, no one knows.

I have a feeling he might be back for the South Africa gig and we'll never know what happened. But the fact remains, if this is simple, personal problems then there doesn't seem to be any good reason not to explain it - I know, I know... 'it's private, he doesn't have to tell you anything! Leave Richie alone!' Okay... that's fine. But the people who put money in his pocket and who have cared about him for 30 years are both concerned and let down.

If the basis of my second theory is right, then Matt wasn't lying, from Jon's point of view, there is no fall out. Richie wouldn't have tweeted, not because of any gagging order but because both parties were trying to stare each other out... Richie can't take to Twitter and invite the world to ask him questions every five minutes. I sincerely hope my first theory, right back at the start, is right; he had a wobble, he took some time to be with his kid, get some therapy.

So he disappears and lets the shit storm do his work for him... 'let's see how much they miss me.' Puts a helluva lot more pressure on Jon that way. But Jon comes out and starts being Jon-of-old on stage... 'Let's see how much they miss Richie NOW.' I sincerely hope my first theory, right back at the start, is right; he had a wobble, he took some time to be with his kid, get some therapy.

But whatever it is, it's sad to see Jon the way he was during that press conference. I really don't know why he bothers trailing the band around behind him to things like that, they look f*cking bored. The moment where Richie actually speaks, I think Jon, in his way, is trying to make sure what Richie said wasn't glossed over, that's him re-emphasising Richie's point but he does it in such a tactless and sharp way, it makes him look like a tool. Richie just looks like 'why do I bother!?'

I think Richie may have been asking himself "Why do I even bother?" a lot in recent years. He has certainly had a reason to on many occasions. Spending time with Ava in Hawaii may have caused him to think he would rather spend time with his family, who he doesn't get to see very often on tour, than to continue with the band in support of music he doesn't really care about and where he has been underused anyway.

Page 200!!!!

Could it be as simple as Richie wanting to sing Every Road during each show? He does tend to sing one song on his own and I can see him wanting to do that. Jon could be saying no, its not a Jovi song, then Richie points out that its in the new album, and Blaze isn't a Jovi song.... Cue a bit of aggro between them and Richie going on strike

Jon should have just made this a solo tour.

This makes sense to me. Richie needed more time off for himself so he just took it. Simple as that. Still think he'll be back for Europe though.