Great band, seriously tight live.

We love your pictures. Looking at those images are the only time I've smiled while reading this depressing thread. :)

Great post, Mr.B, a pleasure to read, as always.

LOL@ herding ****ing cats.

On your last point, maybe after being sober a while Richie has grown past wanting to show up and be handed a setlist and have everything else taken care of.

He waited 14 years after Undiscovered to put out another solo record. Since he's become clean and way past the halfway point he's said he'd like to do a lot more solo work.

Would it be too much for him to ask to do both and ride the Jovi coat-tails a tad? Obviously in this case there are specific timing and conflict of interest issues but that aside, would there be a single drawback for anyone anywhere if e.g. Richie got a 3-song solo spot in the middle of Jovi shows and they sold and promoted his albums and merch at the stands?

I can hear one objection: "a short Richie set would kill the crowd and suck the life out of the place". **** that attitude. Here are some of the spots Axl Rose gives his band at every show:

Tommy Stinson: Motivation (Tommy solo song)/Sonic Reducer (full songs with vocals)
Dizzy Reed: Ziggy Stardust
Richard Fortus: James Bond Theme
DJ Asba: Solo songs
Bumblefoot: full solo songs with vocals

Not to mention numerous improvised segues and jams ranging from 'I Want You Back' to 'Back In Black'.

Axl doesn't give a **** if some people use these spots as piss-breaks and they deflate the crowd because it's a rock show not a pop show with a choreographed hits set designed to keep people high from start to end. As he says: "This isn't Burger King. It's not 'Have It Your Way.'"

The other objection I hear is from Captain Johnny because, let's be real, if he was going to be so gracious to his amazingly talented wingman he would have chosen to do it himself years or decades ago.

What this whole Richie episode gives me is a little hope that, if Sambongo has big enough balls, instead of eventually going back hat in hand, he might force a conversation that leads to changes for the better such as a decent rest period for the band; a real band writing period without Shanks; a return to their rock roots etc etc

That's great! We have to maintain our sense of humor.

I have gone back and forth on how I feel about Richie's absence. If it's substance abuse or his mental health at stake then I'll cut him some slack. Likewise if it is a very ill close family member. Otherwise, get back to work and stop disrespecting your fans and fellow bandmates. If this is truly a hissy fit over not getting to play his songs then he's a total jerk and good riddance.

Just writing those words is difficult because I have been a fan forever and have many great memories throughout the years. I hate to even think this could be "the end", especially when it's their 30th anniversary!!

That would be EPIC and I guess, truly, there will always be a small hope that it will happen, otherwise I wouldn't keep coming back and expecting them to deliver something worthwhile.

The entire press conference from yesterday:

Part 1: http://youtu.be/xs9kxJO1Eb4

Part 2: http://youtu.be/ygu7nasK-hg

Jon at the end thanks the fans for their patience, their support and their trust in a good show. Obvious reference to Richie's absence.

EDIT:
For our convenience, the parts relevant to this topic are, in part 1. The first, at the 7.34 mark, Tico talks about Richie. Unfortunately, I can't really make out a lot of what he's saying, so I hope you guys will be able to fill in. The second, at the 8.57 mark, Jon talks about Richie this time and he says what we know he said, but there's actually more to that.

Tico:

"Richie's been a big part of our band, and so its difficult sometimes in life, everybody has personal lives, and you have to give people space, we'll continue on as a band, we miss him, and before, whatever it's worth, it's important to have your own life."

The guy who asks about Richie coming back also asks about the lack of WAN songs. Jon says they're rotating 7...

I've got That's What The Water Made Me, BWC, WAN, Amen and Army Of One- what else have they played?

I'm With You got played on the promo shows so maybe they are counting that

They played all of them throughout the course of the 52 countries