Originally Posted by semigoodlookin

The part in bold I agree with or can at least see how that would be possible, what ever happens after the tour will say either way.

However, the Richie´s place in Bon Jovi is not entirely different to the KISS situation. Cold Gin, Shock Me, Strange Ways, Parasite, are some of the well known KISS songs that Ace wrote, while he contributed plenty of album tracks too. It should be noted that unlike Sambora, Ace actually wrote these songs and not co-wrote them. If contribution to the band in terms of songwriting and even guitar sound is being judged then it could be argued that Ace was more integral to KISS than Sambora is to Bon Jovi (not something I entirely believe by the way). Of course, Ace also got to sing on some KISS songs, something Sambora has never done for Bon Jovi.

Peter Criss wrote several tracks, the most famous being Beth and he sang lead on plenty of KISS tracks as well.

What Slakk said isn´t entirely wrong. In fact like he/she said it is really only down to whether Jon can sell a Sambora-less Bon Jovi to a level he and his ego wants or can at worst cope with.

What I disagree with from Slakk´s post is the notion that Richie´s bluff was called. I think he left for reasons that he thought or still thinks are genuine, perhaps he is ready to come back, who knows? But I don´t think he was bluffing when he left.