On a Richie note, I was listening to WSFM here in Sydney in the car on the way to work this morning.

They do this competition where you go to their website and guess which 'classic hits artist' is behind a almost fully closed blind. Anyway, today it was Richie Sambora and some woman won $1000.

Anyway the interesting part came afterwards when the two DJ's were recalling they interviewed Richie last time he was in Sydney in his hotel room. Richie had a glass of coke, and Amanda, who had no idea he was a recovering alcoholic, asked him what was in his glass.

"Just Coke" Richie said and she pretended not to believe him, went over and sniffed his glass!

Then Jonesy, the other host, said not long after that Richie went on a massive bender and it was all Amanda's fault.

It was an amusing start to my day.

I was impressed by the fact that no one felt the need to point out that Richie was the Bon Jovi guitarist at any point.

Yeah, but it could have been a tiff over him criticizing the new stuff. Remember at the Radio 1 gig they played 7 new songs and Jon said later 'the band told me that was too much'. Anyway, it's all just guessing until the fateful day when Richie tweets "Just to let you all know I have left Bon Jovi, thanks for the memories".

"Weathering the Storm," "Seven Years Gone," and "You Can Only Get So High" are gorgeous songs and I listen to them a lot. I adore his voice and that is what I miss most about this whole situation. Not being a musician I don't understand the intricacies of his guitar playing that everyone else is into even though I appreciate it. I think the longer this goes on, the harder it is going to be for Richie to return if indeed the "personal issue" is between him and Jon. Even though I am still hoping for the best, I am beginning to expect the worst--that he may not return.

If the problem is the music Richie is in a far better position than anyone to influence what the band puts out - well, if he shows up that is.

Even the Guardian is at it;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013...-bon-jovi-edge

Wow, the Guardian picking up gutter press rumours that haven't in any way been substantiated. Seen it all now.

I'm not familiar with the guardian. What is that?

So I just got back from the Sunderland show and I put I review in that post but wanted to address the richie disappearance on here as only time I ever seen them without him

Well I wasn't as bothered as some by his disappearance any way and I've just lost a lot of respect from him . .

And after last night as far as I'm concerned he can stay away . . Phil did amazing ... Was great on stage . . Interacted with he fans and looked to have some great banter with all of the band . . He's just having fun out there, I only noticed richie wasn't there once . . During the WANTEDs from dead or alive . . And that's not a big deal . .

Starting to really like this phil x and I just think richie is making it harder and harder to come back now . . Every time phil did a solo everyone around me was applauding him . . . I think he's starting to get accepted .

Over all great show and out of 9 shows I been to well up there as the best . .

One bummer is. Couldn't take my camera in . . Classed as a pro camera apparently . . Well I am a photographer . .

with all respect, phil x is nothing on richie sambora. yeah he s faster and flashier but richie is the guy that wrote these tunes!

yes, but Richie is the man who said f*ck to all his fans around the world...
Fans who were going to his solo shows (me and many of you), who bought Aftermath...

Thanks to Phil X to make this possible, and play the game afterall !