Thanks Kathleen. I wish some people would realize this.

I'm just really not that phased by this. I probably subconsciously saw it coming.

Don't mean to go into specifics, but wouldn't that make him the queen of swing?

Clearly, it's not enough time for their creativity levels to recharge though!!!

Well ok, 90 % of the tour is confirmed as not having him in it.

Or 27 out of 33 confirmed dates. And there is no confirmation he will be at the next North/South America leg.

For some perspective. First of all, no, I am not going to any gigs. But. As everyone is saying how Jon has gotten worse and worse performer over the years, so has Rich. With decent replacement the tour can still bring some rock to the house. But I doubt it. I still do think that Jon keeps the new guy in short leash and all they bring is "relevant" country-pop. So my opinion is that skipping the tour is win-win situation for any fan. Save the money and save yourself from disappointment.

Anyway, bottom line is that Bon Jovi is a BAND. Not just Jon and hired guns. Even if they manage to cook up decent European leg, it still won't be "our" Bon Jovi. The band people paid to see won't be performing.

Yup, it will be Non Jovi.

The Europe shows don't affect me directly, as I live in Australia.

I am European though.... I find it a bit weird that you know that.

In my last two or three posts, I've had different theories about what's happening. Some of them serious, some of them, maybe not.

But now, I'm just serious, after spending a couple hours thinking, as a human being.

This guy (Sambora) is a human being. He lost his father years ago, he ended their marriage and can't get this life together again. He even broke his arm in pieces a couple of tours ago and became addicted to painkillers, cancelled shows of his own solo tour due to <whatever>, went rehab, has a daughter in 'trouble years' (and his own ex wife went into rehab too in the past), got arrested by drinking driving, went AGAIN on rehab... endless list.

He's 50+, and he's nowhere.

Yet worse: is a rock star. A celebrity.

He hasn't got a normal Tour time with Bon Jovi since Bounce (I'm not kidding). Look:

Have A Nice Day
- 2006 broke his arm
- Fat, lack of energy, and, obviously, drunk on stage

Lost Highway
- 2007 went into rehab, missed their first show in BJs history
- 2008 arrested driving drunk

The Circle
- 2011 again, rehab, missed a complete Leg

What About Now
- 2013... missed the complete Tour so far

So, what's happening, REALLY:

This guy collapsed. Worse than drugs, worse than drinking, worse than painkillers: Mentally collapsed.

Is very anti-professional looking it from the 'fan' or 'concert attender' perspective. But that's it. With his 'crap life', every of us can be at the same situation.

Look at his last tweet: that's says very.

Maybe we just thank that he's alive, and not dead by commiting suicide. And stop asking for explanations, because he has private life.

That it their 'personal reason'.

Sorry for my english.

Jolo.

Sadly, I think you may be right. It's hard to imagine a celebrity of Richie's caliber having a "crap life" like we might, but everyone has their own demons. Maybe someday we will find out the real story. For now, I feel sorry for Richie rather than feel anger towards him.

Who knows. Maybe I'm just emotional after watching some old Jon and Richie Unplugged videos. In any event, good post. I appreciate your insight.

Well photos are up from a charity event that Jon did tonight and he doesn't look like a man under extreme stress, or a man that has had a serious falling out with one of his closest friends of last 30 years so.......... logic tells me that this "personal" issue with Richie is all about Richie and that maybe the only way to keep the band out of it is for him not to tour with them. Is it possible he got himself tied up in an outside venture that went bad and this outside venture is looking to recoup or get something from him and the only way he can keep the company Bon Jovi out of it is if he isn't working with them??

It would explain his silence on the matter, Jons inability to say anything as well other than "he's still in the band", and it would explain why the lenght of time Richie will be out is up for grabs.

Tyson Ritter and especially Nick Wheeler (The singer/bassist and guitar player respectively of AAR) are very big Jovi fans.