It certainly didn't help. I think at that point Jon still kinda missed being in the band, but also wanted the complete control of being a solo artist. He kinda got that with the band from that point, but Richie was the only one that was there to challenge his decisions and push him creatively. That's why the relationship with Shanks doesn't work and never has. He does what Jon wants, end of. There's little scope for doing anything outside of the box that they have created. And I think that's why Richie got more and more frustrated.