While I don't think it was day to day uncertainty I absolutely think it was tour leg to tour leg. No one could say if Richie was coming back because no one knew. It's too easy to lean on the report saying Richie wants to come back and Jon won't let him and connect the dots.

Phil repeatedly said he didn't know if he'd be back for Europe and the ball is in Richie's court and Matt said the same. Matt absolutely has every reason to fib a bit but what is Phil gaining by saying they're waiting on Richie? No formal announcement could have been made because no formal decision was made either way.

I disagree with the point about Richie not smart enough to scheme up firmly saying to announce he's not coming back to protect him and the band because it's not a scheme. it's just common sense. If you want the band's fan base, you keep them happy. If the band wants to give he impression that it's just a block in the long road, they say "we'll see". I mean true to form a good chunk of he band's fanbase stopped being hardcore for Richie once it was clear he's no coming back. That's not something you want early on when you're trying to kickstart being out there on your own.