That's why I still think it's a dispute between Richie and Jon. The fashion line, looking after Ava, etc., are things he gets to do in the meantime, but I don't think they are the original reasons he left the tour.

My early thoughts too, but not just looking after but maybe some kind of trouble as when Heather was in rehab, Richie was in contact but on the road with BJ then, Ava was with Heathers family. She has also been at her Mom's during these last several months, along with Dad's. If you see her pics can tell which home she is at. NO I don't stalk the child but I do read her posts. I am confused as to what is going on, saw someone say that maybe what ever it is, is major to Richie but not to Jon - perception can be everything. Plus, what ever started this in my opinion, is diff. from what keeps it going on. Afraid outside influences working their own agendas and hate that Richie is buying what ever it is? Can't really explain, just my instincts talking. Really just want to know something definitive one way or the other at this point, and if anyone inside knows, no one is talking. Sad feeling.

Sorry I haven't been on here. Richies got a nice chest and I love unbuttoned shirts on stage. That is appropriate.

It's not appropriate (in my mind) to walk around with that much chest showing in normal everyday life. I'd shoot my husband if he ever tried that, lol. I've never seen just a regular guy walking around the mall or at a restaurant looking like that. That's all :)

I see, I know some people share your same exact opinion. :) I don't go by such a strict rule, I think my judgement is based on whether my eyes hurt at the view or not. LOL

I don't see that look on men at any age here in rural Iowa lol. (Though, recently a 20-something girl came into the library where I work dressed in a bikini top and towel).

That said, though, I think Richie makes that look work, especially now that he's pretty fit. As to wearing that kind of look in everyday life...well, I attribute that to the rarefied rock star life that he lives. It's just "him."

In fact, far creepier to me than Richie walking around with his shirt unbuttoned was that old clip of "Regis and Kathy Lee" from about 10-12 years ago when he and Jon were guests and Regis made some comment about Richie's exposed chest and proceeded to feel it up.

Has this thread sunk so low and got so boring people are now discussing Richies chest? :(

But surely....Richie should dress like the rest of us when not on stage.

;)

Which library :)

So the scenario, Sambo has had a few months off, i for one dont think he will return this tour !

With all the talk about a break again, will Sambo want to crack on middle next year with a new jovi album, or will Jon be " **** that" having 2 years off. I think if they were to release a new album lets say 2015 it will be the most important of there career, even more than KTF was during the grunge era.

Jon Knows Sambo is equal in the band and by the amount of unsold / Returned tickets it could work in the fans favor, ie going back to roots proper rock album, top producer, no outside writers. Its gonna be make or break for the band on the next album and i reckon they will " **** whats current " and just do it from the heart.

Exciting times!

I'd like to be able to agree with you but I can't.

KTF was massively important because Bon Jovi would have been seen as a fad if that album bombed. They had been popular for 5 years or so at that point and that was on the back of two very samey albums. The rest of their peers pretty much disappeared in the 90s whereas KTF, Crossroad and TD kept Bon Jovi afloat and showed they weren't just one trick ponies. They've been huge for over 25 years now so that pressure isn't there. Their place in history is cemented. There also isn't as much pressure on album sales as there was in 1992.

Richie also isn't anywhere near as important in the band as Jon. Yes, his absence had an impact on ticket sales (albeit, I don't think that impact was huge). However, if Jon dropped out of the tour and Richie, Dave and Tico continued, do you think they would have played to the same crowds as the band have played to on this tour?

Say Richie never returns and the band decides to continue (by the way I'd harbor even more pissy feelings towards Richie if he were the reason for the band to finally dissolve :() Would Jon find different writing partners or write alone? I personally would hope for different, maybe even younger co-writers to perhaps pull Jon out of that kumbaya mentality he tends to have when writing.

Richie is off to Japan.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/7/prweb10935686.htm

If we could get songs like on his solo albums and many of the songs he's written alone for the band, I'd hope he'd write the bulk of the next album by himself.

"For press inquiries, please contact Sean Borg"

Ding Ding Ding.

Not that we didn't know already.

Strange they didn't plan this for December! ;)

P.S.: So much for hanging onto August being the time the band gets to calmly discuss matters out of the spotlight. Oh well, whatever.

Jon might pull off better material citing sadness because Richie wasn't there?

I do like a lot of his solo stuff so that would be ok with me and a little melancholy probably would sneak in here and there. :) I would also hope for songs that wouldn't make him pop a vein while trying to sing them!

Haha, well...don't get too excited: This particular woman's husband was hired by a spiteful woman to kill her ex-husband. The plot was discovered before the deed was carried out, but as far as I know, bikini woman is still with him.

It's as simple as this - Richie is not going to be on the WAN tour at any point. He's left the tour, save for some big spiritual revelation (cos he sure as hell ain't getting no pay rise now Jonny's still selling the big gigs without him) he'll not feature on any of the remaining dates.

The band will wrap up the tour and go home. Tico will paint, David will write show tunes, Bobby will scratch around on the shore, Hugh will slap the bass abit and Jon will prep another album and world tour to line the coffers. Richie in the mean time will continue to hop around the world flogging clothes until he gets bored and realises he's ready to play the Prayer solo for the 100,000,000th time.

At which point he'll ring Jon, pick up his writing credit on the latest studio album and the band will proceed to release a collection of songs that some fans will appreciate, others wont and critics will give it 3 out of 5 stars. The private jet will be refueled and they'll be back in Hyde Park by Summer 2015 (with "Brother Phil" on speed dial...just in case).

Thread closed.

Oh ye of little faith and lots of common sense.

Might work unless David or Tico want an extended vacation like Richie had, and decide to blow off the next tour. But only after first playing a few dates. Then Jon has to scramble to find a fill in drummer and/or keyboardist. :D

Richie has just tweeted:
"Hey guys just coming back from the jettlagged to the living..."

I guess he's back to LA...


( https://twitter.com/TheRealSambora/s...42070124167168 )

I wonder how many fans are thinking since he's back in the states, chances are good that he might show up at a concert? Well, he might, it just won't be a Bon Jovi concert. :D

Details... ;)
I'd say those people would be delusional. Plus, he's got promotion for his fashion line to do in Japan in August. Might only be one day, but I doubt it. Also, the guy himself said maybe September is a good time. That means: if you're lucky September, otherwise later on. Surely, not before.

I'm still suspicious that all of this is because Richie wanted a red Mustang instead of a blue Buick. Now, being influentiated by Nicki Lund, for the next tour he will ask for a pink Beetle.

Richie might look pretty fly in a pink beetle and one of his pork pie hats.....and an open shirt. :p

Richie will never come back, thanks to the fans.

Jon is selling out arenas/stadiums without him. Phil and Bobby are very well received by the fans.

And Richie barely contributed to the new album. Jon can make songs with only his own ideas and that's what he wants.

What is happening and whatever happens in the future is anybody's fault but the fans. Was Richie testing us? I for one don't respond well to shit like that.

Gulp!! i'll stay out of this one lol

Again, fashion in Aug. so fuel to the "maybe Sept" they might work it out. That is when it would be work for him I guess. Seam Borg blocked me on twitter - I hit a nerve I guess - told him Nikki should stick to fashion and out of BJ business. If he wants to do fashion, so what but she makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up - and it's normally right. Afraid agendas are diff. and Richie seems to buy it right now. Really think outside influences are at work - initial "reason" probably passed and now it has escalated into something entirely different. His perceptions vs Jon's different and makes more conflict plus people whisper what they want in his ear. Breaks my heart.

While I do agree that Nikki's interjecting into the interview about Bon Jovi stuff was unnecessary, I don't think that Richie is so impressionable that he lets Nikki guide him around at her beckoning. Richie himself Tweeted that he has run the fashion line for five years, and that the fashion line is ***not*** taking him away from the band. He says he's an artist first and foremost. So, he's doing the fashion in the meantime, not because he chose it over the band because Nikki was whispering in his ear (imo).

Bobby is very well received by the fans?

Really?

Jon, David and Tico sending a message to their Canadian Fans about the upcoming show on 1st November.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMsd9...ature=youtu.be

Only those of us who are longtime Southside Johnny fans and we give Bobby a LOT of slack.

Toronto is one of the places where I've always wanted to visit to see the band. I have a few friends in Toronto so I'd like to make a vacation out of it. Someday!

[QUOTE=The Rock;1146825]Jon, David and Tico sending a message to their Canadian Fans about the upcoming show on 1st November.

I had just copied this to post here, makes me a bit sad no RS on promo but wouldn't expect it either = but does also make me wonder if they are not expecting him at that show in Nov. already? :( I wish we would just get an "official" statement either way and get it over with so we can get a life. If they were close enough, I would go even without Richie, but would go for a much cheaper seat.

Toronto is a nice city to visit Becky. We were up there almost 10 years ago (where does the time go?) to do a Barenaked Ladies sort of tour because my daughter is a huge fan. We went around to all the known places - kind of like the Jersey Rock and Roll tour LOL. It was lovely to visit. Now you could visit Matt and Steph (Miracle) and go to a show :)

That sounds like a great plan. I'd love to see Matt again and to meet Steph. I just need to win the lottery and Bon Jovi needs to keep on touring! :)

Wow! Who are those other two blokes?

I love conspiracies and this promo looks very much like a "we're still a strong unit" message to me.

Sorry boys unless its the whole band I'll be sitting this one out!

Me, too. I don't want to have my first Bon Jovi show be one without Richie (who is also my favorite).