I wasn't talking about Richie now or last year, I was talking about Richie and his "Seven Years Gone" which would take us back to 2005'ish depending on when he wrote the tune.

And yes I have Aftermath, and theres some moments of brilliance just like there is on any new Jovi record, and a lot of so-so tracks. It wasn't the epic everyone who had been waiting for a new Richie record for ten years expected or hoped it would be. Worse, for me, some of those songs didn't sound like Richie songs at all, I lost believability with it. At least whatever Bon Jovi make, they sound like Bon Jovi songs.

I'm not saying at all Jon's voice - and also the change in the music he wants to make - isn't a massive factor but it's not the only thing that has affected this band.

You could be spot on with the confidence though. I think he'll get it. It took awhile on The Circle tour too. Maybe he just needs a crowd that aren't bringing their knitting to a show.