That's just a rehash of the same old rumors that have been spreading around for months, so even if your brother's friend was sincere about it, he may have just fallen victim to those rumors like so many other people did...

As someone already mentioned there is one reason why this cannot be true or Richie cannot have been fired, and that is because Jon wouldn't let a show like that Calgary (?) show happen, he would've made his decision, called Phil X and Phil would've been there from day one of the second leg. Period.

He seems utterly lost when he speaks.

Thank you for sharing.

I don't doubt that this has been a reason that has been put around, it's the party line but it just doesn't add up, for me.

Richie was SO clear and focused for AOTL and his public appearances for his album... he was completely non-enthused every time I saw him promoting WAN.

He weighed up the sacrifice, decided it wasn't worth it then left and spent time with his daughter. Plain and simple. There’s more to it – ie: he and Jon were not vibing and it clearly wasn’t a shock when it happened but this is more down to Richie being sober and thinking clearly than being doped up and not thinking at all.

Everybody has a friend who knows someone who is trustworthy ... yes, of course.

I apologize in advance, both for being blunt and for pulling the age card; but if you truly meant to say that you would rather someone have a substance abuse problem than for your hero to be blamed for a part he may (or may not) have played in a difficult situation, then not only does it sound sick, it also sounds like you have a lot of growing up to do.

Furthermore, it makes you sound quite gullible in your haste to grab onto anything to absolve Jon; because this story, true or not, has been around the block a few times, based on nothing more than speculation from those on the outside looking in.

Not to discredit the person who posted, or his friend, but rumors circulate in the music industry just as they do on message boards. This sounds like a rehash of the same story that Randi Reed posted in her "professional" blog. Maybe the friend in this account runs in the same circles. The only thing in his story that even remotely lines up with the precious little that has been said by, or attributed to, Jon or Richie is the possible idea that Richie wanted to go back but Jon was making it difficult; and even that was questioned because of the tabloid source.

If I were you, I think I'd wait for something a little more concrete to use as back up for any nanny-nanny-boo-boo-ing you want to do.

Alice Cooper loved the lineup of his recent New Years Eve show so much, he wants to do a tour with them:

http://ow.ly/snGC2

That would be amazing, if they all agree to do it.

Just to clear things up: I asked him why didn't Richie came back, not why he left before the Calgary show. He left for personal reasons, we all know that. But he was supposed to leave for one leg, not the whole tour. And this guy said that he didn't come back because of drugs.

And Rolo: I have no business playing monkey business here. I just wanted to share something that I thought would be interesting for you guys. But , just like so many times before, when someone says something about your superhero that not includes praising him, you behave like a child. Like I said, I'm not asking you to believe me. If you don't, fine, no need to behave like a crying baby. Grow up and take you Richie glasses off, so you can discuss things like an adult.

That's not true either.
Jon said more than once that Richie needs to get back to work and there is a seat beside him on the plane. He also said Richie was never fired, Richie just left. And now nobody knows if or when he'll be back. Jon and Richie have only recently started communicating again.

The person you talked to is just repeating old stories he read in tabloids. Why repeat something that was debunked a long time ago by the two who actually know? We already know what happened, they told us. It just isn't scandalous enough for some, I guess.

Well said.

All of what you said makes very little sense.

The great would come in when Richie actually completes the commitment.

Lean on Me in Maui: Richie & Orianthi

Damn! That really is one of Richie's favorite songs!! He's been playing it everywhere!! :lol:

That said, really cool moment, and Orianthi rocks!!! it almost looked like Richie had to step up his game for a slight moment there at the beginning! :D

well Richies face looks melted these days so him and Alice would look great together....but hang on - Richie dont want to tour...he has a daughter dont you know!!!

Try as he might Richie is no frontman. Dont have the presence.

Hate to say it but Jon isn't exactly a frontman anymore either... a quick flash of pearly whites and some shoulder bobbing and Richie will be up there with the best, eh... ;-)

Technically, it's just Bon Jovi that he doesn't want to leave his daughter for.
Doing a small tour with legendary preformers like Cooper, Tyler etc. might be worth it to him. It's an exciting idea and the chemistry between them must have been great.

Why? I didn't say I want him to die. I didn't say I want him to have a huge overdose. I didn't say anything of the sort. He may just be high as hell on weed, I don't know. What I do know (and I run a Bon Jovi page, by the way) is that SO many fans from day one put all the blame on Jon. Before they even knew the story, it was all about 'Jon forced him out', 'The CEO is too much work for Richie' when from day one, I supported Jon. Richie HAD a commitment to do so even if they had a huge falling out, Richie should still be on tour. Other bands have fell out but done their job. The man is a liabilty and has been for a while now.

Who cares if Richie wanted to go back, by the way? He shouldn't be able to pick a certain time when to go back. He bailed out on everyone. Not just the band, everyone. At least Jon stood his ground and said 'no', for whatever reason that might be. I want Richie back with the band, of course I do, he is one of the reasons I love Bon Jovi, but he needs to get his act together. Whether it be over drugs, whether it be over his input or whether it be about his dedication to the band. He needs to sort himself out. He has the opportunity to speak to whoever he wants now that the tour is over and Richie should make the first move.

Jon never stood his ground and said "no". Richie left and didn't return.

Unless you are Jon or Richie, you don't actually know that.

No one knows ANYTHING apart from what we're told and from there, it's what we choose to believe. Here are my facts, as only I see them...

1. RS bailed when he should have refused to tour in the first place. He's a tart.

2. WAN is an embarrassing collection of over-the-hill pap and the fact that Jon thinks it's relevant makes him look like a total bell end.

3. Jon's voice sucks and he's lost virtually all of his stage presence.

Beyond that... I'm guessing and so are you.

Jon telling Richie "no" would be the same as firing him from the tour. Jon denies this.
I agree 100% with the rest you said.

Well, no... it would be Jon not letting Richie BACK on the tour because RS had bailed... a big difference and totally understandable.

In Jon's position, I would have given Sambora a certain amount of time before I thought, 'screw you, you're not coming back and playing the hero... '

Says who? Richie himself said he would be back September time and wasn't.

We've heard numerous times now that Richie tried to get back on tour but Jon said 'no'

I don't think that Richie ever gave a firm date. It was pretty much left up in the air as "we will see how it goes". It's possible that I missed a video with Richie being definite but considering how closely I followed this (yes I wanted Richie back), I don't think so.

And this is where I agree with you.

Richie, Alice Cooper, Orianthi "Foxy Lady"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6DL_...ure=youtu.be&a

He did. The first video (I think) of him talking about the band, he said he would be back in September. I'll have a look for it on YouTube.

You are right, Kathleen. It was never a 'firm date' but he does say here that it's very close. So I wonder why it never happened? He had 2/3 months from that interview to get everything sorted and it didn't happen.

While I see the Richie, Alice Cooper and Orianthi videos, I think:

Why the WAN record (and Tour) actually happened?

Why Sambora couldn't rest of the band and have his solo couple years? He seems happy and relaxed, doing whatever he wants. He earned the right to do that.

This crysis is actually Jon's fault.

Yeah, all Jon's fault. I'm sure he tied Richie up and forced him to agree to this.

Come on, Richie didn't lose his voice on the day Jon said he wanted this album and tour. Richie has a voice, surely he has the balls to say 'no' to Jon. He did it in the middle of the tour so I'm sure he could of at the start...

But to the press Jon claimed he was welcome back anytime.

http://www.freep.com/article/2013071...-field-sambora

I think he would need those big names if he wants to tour if sales for the charity show he is doing tomorrow are any indication. Looks like the venue is 500 seats and there are still 240 tickets available.

How would sales from this show be any indication at all? He's appearing with 9+ other performers so he's play 1? Maybe 2 songs? He was also added to the bill just 3 days ago. Sales from his failed Aftermath tour would be an indication but not this.

He was added to the posters from MM before the Christmas holiday, But that's not that big of a deal as when I just checked VIP is sold out - that's 1/2 of the venue rows 1-8. Only 16 deep and I don't see how anyone could tell how many are left unless you tried to order 100? I think the venue holds about 500. I'll try to post a pic of the room. Not sold out but I'd be surprised if it didn't. MM has a pretty large support group. Luke Ebbin tweeted a few days ago that the AMOL band was together, so I suspect they will do several songs. Wish I could be there to give a live report.,:) This does have per twitter some going and traveling way out of my budget just for Richie but it's also a solid/reputable charity and that will draw some people regardless of the performers. The performance is also being held at the Hollywood Musical institute so you know students will go as it was originally promoted as a group of the greatest guitarists. I hope it sells out.

If you go to the ticket page and pull down the menu for the number of tickets you want, the number it goes up to is the number of tickets left.

Thanks, learn something everyday. I really hope it sells out, not just for RS but for the mission. It's a shame his "home town" doesn't seem to show him the love he gets in other places - even before this years events. He can come back to the East coast any time by me - but he'll never leave LA as long as Ava has actress/model/LA dreams.

Richie and Orianthi playing Wanted during soundcheck

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

and here is a teaser of the performance but they cut it off right after Richie's guitar solo starts:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

She is Orianthi

https://scontent-a-mad.xx.fbcdn.net/...15612390_n.jpg

With Steve Vai Voodoo Child Stairway to Heaven Solo

She's amazing. I bought her album and Bon Jovi's album just prior to a road trip last March. They came out the same day. I think part of what contributed to my extreme disliking of WAN was how much her album kicked it's ass. Great talent. Killer guitarist.

As for last night's benefit, I've yet to stumble upon any videos but through her Twitter I'm hearing it was a 50 minute set. Played Wanted, Undiscovered Soul, Seven Years Gone, among others obviously. Hopefully we'll get to see/hear them all soon!

Undiscovered Soul? Really?

Setlist:
Taking A Chance, Lean On Me, Heaven Help Us(short)/Stranger, 7 Years Gone, Midnight Rider(short)/Wanted, Prayer

Great show and chemistry with Orianthi.