I'm glad to read that Jon rather regrets that Richie's not in the band anymore. On the other hand, I believe that there is no reason why Richie would not be able to come back to it but still, it seems out of the question.
I get what happened in 2013 - but we are 7 years gone (pun intended) and the band are now touring in a way that ( as said by others) would have perfectly fitted Richie's needs.
I also think that Richie on stage would give the band back it's authenticity, even though his influence after 2000 had become less important.
So - I really wonder what could be in the way of rejoining? It's not like Richie has a thriving carreer of his own going on. I think he tried out the stuff he wanted, but after not having played on the big stage for 7 years, you might think that he would enjoy getting back to this level.
Also, them teaming up as songwriting partners after such a long time could surely make sparks fly.
My only 'doubt' is : we all know what Jon's condition is ( his weak vocals ) - what if it turns out Richie ( who's also passed 60) isn't delivering guitar and vocal-wise? I can not see them go out with Richie in the band and still keeping Shanks and Phil. Who would have to go? Phil seems logical since he is filling Richie's shoes now but Phil is also the 'guarantee' that Jon can count on ( he's fit, younger, technical very good and will not quit overnight ) - so in case Richie can't deliver, Phil would have his back.
Shanks on the other hand is such a bad influence on BJ's sound for the last decade, but unfortunately he's much more than just the guitar player on the tour. He has become like their 5th beatle ( with deep regrets). He is so deep in camp Jovi that I do not see him getting removed from the spot he's in.
So all in all - I can not see Jon changing the current line-up because from a continuity point of view, Jon knows that he has a strong band behind him ( no soul though )
This was my rant
- I would still love to see Richie back with the band.
And if it had to be my choice, I'd just add him to the current line up
Quote:
Originally Posted by rolo_tomachi
mmmm.
Pollster: Were closing out the decade, as you know, heading into 2020. Of all the touring artists in the world, you finished No. 5 for the decade, with $868.8 million grossed and 8.78 million tickets sold. When you look back at this decade from not only a touring but, a career standpoint, as well, do you feel like youre doing some good work?
JBJ: Oh, yeah. Had I worked harder on the road, we would have been even higher on the top 10, because we could, we just chose not to. And, again, you know like I know, I didnt expect the Richie debacle to have happened, so that threw a wrench in the works. So we accomplished all of this with one arm tied behind my back, so its all good. Its all good. Its better than all good.
Thats a good quote right there, Its better than all good. With Richie, I think the fans would prefer to see him out there with you. I would.
So would I.
Still, to get through it and still maintain that level of business, it says a lot. The power of the songs, the power of your persona. You say you could have worked harder, you work pretty hard.
Yeah, yeah, yeah but, this would have gone on without any one of the individual members of the band but, when it was all together it was wonderful. It wouldnt be fair to Tico or David or to me, to have let it falter because of Richies
problems, his issues. So there was no way that I was going to ... the name of the band is Bon Jovi, its not anything else. This isnt a band that is dependent on the guitar player like Van Halen or U2 or something, it was about the songs and it was about me. We got it. I wish he was here, too, because we were a formidable duo. Our voices were the magic and hes a great guy and all that kind of stuff but his choices have led him astray.
Well, what are you gonna do, man?
What are you gonna do?
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I still have mixed feelings with this. If Jon hadn't pushed Richie in those years to do another 100-concert tour per year, and instead put this 3 years model of tour, then Richie would be still on the ship. Maybe Richie made bad decisions, but leaving the tour, I don't think it was one of them, because that was pushed by Jon, and that's where I'm not comfortable with his point of view. Jon, you made bad decisions by pushing Richie and the boys on another tour again, and that had consequences that have not been repaired today.
However Jon does not admit that he is wrong, and dares to point Richie on the wrong side.
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