No Richie on current leg of the tour

A dry mouth or what...

Bang on the money.

However, if he really felt that the only option was to pull out there and then, the least he should have done is release a proper statement with an APOLOGY to the fans he was letting down. (Before anyone says something about a contractual gag, why would he care about honouring that when he has already broken other contractual obligations, like actually turning up for shows?) Instead he has hidden behind "personal issues" probably hoping it was ambiguous enough to garner sympathy or at least restraint from fans, because admitting it was internal band strife would have provoked a much more furious response from folk who had already bought their tickets.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't this weeks upcoming shows the last that had been announced before he bailed? After Hyde Park, the other shows were announced afterwards? There can't be many more pre-announced gigs left either way? Strange that he's opening up more now, after a large chunk of his "guilty" shows have passed.

And one final point- surely the "issues" would be easier to sort out if he got on a plane and all involved were together, not half the world apart?

The July US run through Jersey was announced and on sale.

Thanks. So still a few to go, but like I say the biggest chunk are done.

Its a very valid point and it leads to one we all should have seen way before now, The fact that Richie couldnt/wouldnt talk to Jon about why he walked really shows the issue being about Jon and himself.....
The next break in the tour, they should really get together and thrash it out, and without Nikki Lund anywhere near the place. Jon should leave his CEO hat outside and Richie should be given the chance to air his views without Jon waving a contract in front of his face etc etc....
Thats not to say I support Richie in this rocky patch, as I think tweeting lovelly messages and announcing to fans he was focusing on his clothing lines was out of order when thousands of us wanted to see him out on tour.
I do give a little credit to Jon however for his extra effort and 3 hour shows, which I personally think were brilliant, but would have been amazing with the complete line-up.......
But his "EDGE" comments were not the best thing to say, even though I do think they have been taken totally out of context.
All in all I think we all have a common "goal" in this affair and thats to get Richie back on board, and given more of a say in the output of the band.......

I just really hope that Alec John Such is back before the Australian leg.

They'll be no such luck.

HAHAHAHAHA.

Hope he does, I heard it's unlikely that he comes back for the South American leg

Today they landed in Rome ;]

My thoughts exactly. I don't want to waste energy worrying about when or if he returns. If he does, that's great, but if not I'll still enjoy my remaining shows.