Should Jon get rid of Bobby?

Well surely it's because he writes the SSJ parts, so he can obviously play them. Whereas the Bon Jovi solos have been composed by a far superior guitar player and thus Bobby can't play them.

I can buy that although all the covers he plays he always does a great job.

I used this in Bobby's defense for years Deb as I've been a SSJ fan forever and Bobby was with them since 1982. He sucks on the Jovi solos because it's a different style of music and a different type of solo. It's much more "old school" type rock and roll. If you notice - Bobby is fantastic at the "old school" type rock and roll during the jukebox section (which I happen to love). He doesn't do well at all with a melodic solo.

As I said - I've been defending Bobby for years but after hearing him butcher In These Arms one too many times and the last 2 shows without Richie I would rather him stay away from a true guitar solo. He handles the riffs and the licks just fine - and I have always liked his voice. I miss him at SSJ shows - certain songs just don't sound as good to me without his harmony.

Yes, that has to be it. He is TERRIBLE at any of the Jovi guitar solos..and that's being kind, lol!!

Sorry but I don't care for his son whatever has happened to him and I think this is not the reason he is there. If it was, Jon and the band can do a special concert and the gross donate to Bobby or his son, big party with covers and Bobby playing the lead, whatever. But destroying the band's song for six years is just too much. I think there some better guitarists with ill children out there..
The only thing his presence is meaningful is the current jam in LYHOM. I think the other song can be handled without him, just with Jon playing a little bit more.
He adds something to the music???? Sorry but he adds nothing because you can't hear him for 90% of the show. He does the lick in WWBTF and the acoustic guitar in WLOL and WWWB. All of that could covered somehow by Jon and Richie, if they really want to. He is not a rhythm guitar player, no way, he is just a sound filler - substitute for some samples David played.
I was always proud of Bon Jovi being a five man band, for 20 years they could live without another guitarist. I was proud of them because of that and always laughed at GnR who needed singers and orchestra and now two keyboardists and three guitar players. I was proud they can do justice to their song with one guitar.
I can't see no extra value with Bobby there, no jamming, no audible rhythm (IML solo for example, listen to the rhythm guitar on the record - you can't find it live now, even with Bobby). It isn't two guitarists, it is one guitarist and sound filler. He is far from needed. His vocals can't save it and there were medleys without him. No reason for him stayig there. Alec was fired because of alleged subpar playing - what is Bobby doing??

With JBJ's attention to detail and him getting pissed at mistakes (See Jazz Fest last month) it's strange how the almost nightly eff ups by Bobby are constantly overlooked.

I have to admit I am torn on this one. If Bobby's presence meant Jon played less guitar himself, I would welcome it. I miss the JBJ that effortlessly skipped all over the stage and sold the song with more than a flash of teeth from behind a mic stand and that frikkin' Takamine permanently strapped around his shoulders.

But the reality is, Jon is simply showing us that he has seen the band so differently from most of us. We're all aware that it is 'Jon's band' and he is the 'quarterback' etc etc. However, I think he has grossly misjudged the loyalty some of the fans have to the other members and the general DNA of Bon Jovi.

Maybe it was Alec's seamless departure that convinced him of the fact that as long as he was out front and the hits were being played, then any line-up changes/additions could be accomodated.

Don't get me wrong, I think he misses Sambora. Part of the reason I am loathed to buy a ticket for the UK shows is the fact that Jon looks pissed off on the youtube clips I've seen. I think, as a businessman, he had no choice but to go through with these shows. Cancelling 6-8 months in advance is one thing but cancelling 2-4 weeks prior to a substantial amount of shows would have incurred massive costs; including having to pay the guy who does the catering, the drivers etc who all have mortgages to pay. Anyway, I digress...

The bottom line is, the changes since 2005 have been that Jon plays more guitar and now Bobby is a permanent fixture onstage. I doubt it's much to do with Bobby's situation with his kid because Jon is a 'get off your ass and do it yourself' type of guy. If he believed Bobby has the tools to play guitar for his band then he knows Bobby could make a livving off his own back.

No, those two changes have come about because Jon is knocking 50 and he believes that his band are no different from The E Street Band... he loved having the violin up there, the extra keyboard, the extra guitar... it massaged his inner-Springsteen and I expect it will never revert back, just as I expect they will never write a 'big, loud rock record' ever again.