Richie back in the band???

I wasn't trying to suck you into anything. It was an honest question. Most people who are convinced of Richie's unreliability usually point to HAND as the starting point for it. So I was honestly curious about you saw that caused you to think that there was a problem before anyone else noticed anything.

Not to worry. I think you answered my question. Since the fact that you don't live or work with Richie hasn't kept you from speculating, in general, about his attitudes, sexual habits, work ethic, or much anything else, I guess it's just the specifics that are somewhat fuzzy.

Thanks anyway.

Pre-HAND I don't know what demons Richie had. I'm speaking purely from a musical standpoint. His playing really simplified from 2000 onwards but live, to me, it wasn't until the HAND tour that certain mistakes happened. Lots of repeated licks and signature moves overused during solos.

I honestly don't think Richie's reliability Bobby was brought in, I don't think Jon could have known that Richie would need rehab and have to bail. Had Jeff Kazee not been brought on board as well that tour I think there would have been a stronger case but I think it boils down to Jon wanted an E street band situation. Extra people to fill out the sound. Once Jeff and Kurt and Lorenza were no longer "needed" Bobby stayed. THAT is when I think Richie's issues and guitar playing kept Bobby around. You don't go from doing just fine with one guitar player for 23 years to needing someone else that is kind of low in the mix.

I don't see "poor Richie" as a victim, I don't think Jon's the devil, and I don't think bringing Bobby in caused Richie's playing to fall apart.

I do think the double-whammy of his marriage breaking up and his dad being diagnosed with a terminal illness during that tour may have had a lot to do with it. Especially if drinking was the coping mechanism of choice. But if, on top of that, he had a boss who brought in somebody new to trample all over what Richie may well have seen as his creative turf and his identity within the band, and then overrode his objections to that, I can't imagine that it did much to improve the situation either.

With all that going on, I might have been tempted to perform less than spectacularly myself.

If Bobby's role-play in the PBR interview is close to what actually happened, I think this might have been Richie's point.

Silly stuff. If that was the reason for bring Bobby. Jon failed. When Richie let the tour, Jon needs to call another guitarist to fill the job Richie, because Bobby is not up to par.

You are so hard with all addicts as does with Richie?

richie obviously wasnt happy witht the second guitarist butmore or less he came in terms with it, in the end it was another situation where jon forced his opinion. richie probably had many objections overall and at some point he felt fed up. (i am not saying that richie was right but i get his points)
Also saw an interview with richie and orianthi at some music awards..richie goofs around so much that looks akward for a guy at his age, especially in the circumstances it happens...
he also mentioned HIS grammy, that equals to oscar...the fact that he mentions flatering everyone except his brothers of 30 years shows sth to me, either there is too bad blood still between them or he tries to avoid the slightest mention.
he tries to persuade everyone that his duet with ori will be made of heaven and completely ignores his past. i want to listen to their new album but the truth is richie in the last years u have given us very little to act so ignorant and cocky. if he had one minor hit with ori or by himself i d be more "understanding"about his absolute disregard of everything bj..
and sth last, seb has mentioned repeatedly that richie may has a health or mind issue that makes him unable to master his potential. at first i didnt agree with it but now every time i see the guy, he has difficulty to master a simple phrase some times when they ask him anything. he looks quite burn out, the last example was him trying steve vais jem and messing up with his words again.(i know he is human and everyone can be camera shy but i am not sure this is the case with richie)

I could see that as a possibility. But it raises another question for me. If that's the case, if Richie's issues and lackluster performance was the primary reason Jon kept Bobby on after the G-String Band was no longer needed, what would have been his reason for hiring a sub for Bobby to go with them on the mini-tour last year? Who was it that Bobby's sub was potentially covering for?

Yes. It comes from having degrees in psychology, studying addiction, + working with the population including addicts and parents who are often addicts, along with living with friends/family who are addicts for the last 16 years. Hope for the best, expect the worst.

My own addictions play out as obsessions. That's why I have been a Bon Jovi fan for 30 years or have been to 30ish Keith Urban concerts in less than 10 years. If I ever start drinking or doing drugs, I'm in trouble and I know it.

Fair point, I hadn't considered that!

Thanks, but I wasn't trying to make a point per se. I was more interested in why else Jon might feel he needed a sub for Bobby.

After thinking about it, though, I wonder if Jon may have asked Bobby to sit out the mini-tour to give him a chance to road-test Matt O'Ree as a possible replacement for Richie. It would be a great opportunity to gauge the fans' reaction, the on-stage chemistry, how he fit into the band, etc., without appearing to do so (since Matt was there to fill-in for Bobby and not, y'know, as a potential new lead guitarist). Short tour, not a lot of new music, no real pressure to be compared with Richie.

It's random, I know. But given that there's still no word as yet about Jon hiring a new lead guitarist, it might make sense.

Thoughts?

That actually makes a lot of sense. Give Bobby a break while seeing how Matt and Phil work out. Does Phil see this as a permanent gig? Is Matt going to be the sole guitarist in the future? These are questions we don't know the answers to. Maybe they'll have multiple guitarists. There isn't any rule that says you can only have one person capable of playing lead. I don't think Bobby's job is in jeopardy.