Originally Posted by jovigirloz (Post 1141635)

If they just made an official statement that cleared things up there would be no need for all this gossip and speculation. Jon is bringing this on himself, be honest with the fans - that is all most of us are asking for.

Originally Posted by Becky (Post 1141636)

But if it really is a personal issue of Richie's, it may be that Jon is respecting Richie's privacy by not making an official statement to clarify things. He might be keeping Richie's secrets for him. I don't think it's fair to say "Jon is bringing this on himself" when it could be that he's just being a good friend.

Originally Posted by Becky (Post 1141636)

But if it really is a personal issue of Richie's, it may be that Jon is respecting Richie's privacy by not making an official statement to clarify things. He might be keeping Richie's secrets for him. I don't think it's fair to say "Jon is bringing this on himself" when it could be that he's just being a good friend.

Originally Posted by CKatz (Post 1141640)

If Richie isn't back for the next leg and they use the same "personal issues" excuse again, then it's far more likely that Jon is only protecting his business by leading the fans on and giving them false hope. I hope that's not the case, because that would be a very deceitful thing to do and it would be very disrespectful to fans.
My gut says Richie isn't coming back ever. If I'm right, it will be interesting to see how and when they'll anounce it.

Originally Posted by Mysterytrain (Post 1141642)

Instead, we've got pictures of Richie hanging with fashion people and cuddling with puppies and no mention of music of any kind, with the band or solo.

Originally Posted by Mysterytrain (Post 1141642)

If Richie doesn't come back, then, in my mind, the band is finished. Even if Jon continues Bon Jovi, it just wouldn't be the same. To me, Richie's contribution is a huge, defining aspect of the band's sound. Without him, there's this gaping hole where the soul should be.

I saw on the concert thread that "Wild is the Wind" was performed tonight with Phil X, so I gave it a listen. I found it good, but then I went back to listen to the 'Wind" performance from February, when Richie was there and, to me, there really is no comparison: There is such emotion and soul to Richie's playing, especially in the introductory solo. The feeling just oozes out of him, and the way he bends that note at the end....it's little flourishes like these that make me miss Richie all the more right now (not to mention the background vocals):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwA0fJm4e80

To me, Richie is also connected to these songs because, in many cases, he helped write them. Watching Phil X play them makes me want to go find Richie, shake him and say, "Hey, man, how can you let another guitar player play /your/ music?"

That's another thing that boggles my mind about this whole issue. If it's a Jon-and-Richie fallout, and if I was Richie, I'd be determined to stay on tour, on fire like during the first leg night after night, pulling out the stops and showing how awesome and vital I was to the band. I'd channel my anger through brilliant playing/singing. But by leaving, Richie helps support the idea that he is expendable. You'd think "pride of ownership" would kick in at some point with him, that he'd wake up and think, "Wow; the fans are sure loving Phil X, it's like they've already forgotten about the 30 years I put in; I'd better get back there and help remind them why I'm so great--those songs are mine!"

Instead, we've got pictures of Richie hanging with fashion people and cuddling with puppies and no mention of music of any kind, with the band or solo.

Maybe he is really and truly "burned out" with music right now. Remember Jon's comment that Richie would be welcome to return "when he is ready to die onstage like I am every night"? Maybe that was Jon's way of saying, 'Richie's heart just isn't in it, and when he gets that fire back, he's welcome back.'

Originally Posted by jessycardy (Post 1141621)

Wow... And people here were saying how those gutter press articles "had" to be legit because they featured statements in quotation marks? LOL
I remember posting I don't think they would give two flying shits about it and rather pay a fine or two but have the "scoop". But I didn't know things could be and actually were that bad. Interesting, thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Mysterytrain (Post 1141642)

If Richie doesn't come back, then, in my mind, the band is finished. Even if Jon continues Bon Jovi, it just wouldn't be the same. To me, Richie's contribution is a huge, defining aspect of the band's sound. Without him, there's this gaping hole where the soul should be.

I saw on the concert thread that "Wild is the Wind" was performed tonight with Phil X, so I gave it a listen. I found it good, but then I went back to listen to the 'Wind" performance from February, when Richie was there and, to me, there really is no comparison: There is such emotion and soul to Richie's playing, especially in the introductory solo. The feeling just oozes out of him, and the way he bends that note at the end....it's little flourishes like these that make me miss Richie all the more right now (not to mention the background vocals):
J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwA0fJm4e80

To me, Richie is also connected to these songs because, in many cases, he helped write them. Watching Phil X play them makes me want to go find Richie, shake him and say, "Hey, man, how can you let another guitar player play /your/ music?"

That's another thing that boggles my mind about this whole issue. If it's a Jon-and-Richie fallout, and if I was Richie, I'd be determined to stay on tour, on fire like during the first leg night after night, pulling out the stops and showing how awesome and vital I was to the band. I'd channel my anger through brilliant playing/singing. But by leaving, Richie helps support the idea that he is expendable. You'd think "pride of ownership" would kick in at some point with him, that he'd wake up and think, "Wow; the fans are sure loving Phil X, it's like they've already forgotten about the 30 years I put in; I'd better get back there and help remind them why I'm so great--those songs are mine!"

Instead, we've got pictures of Richie hanging with fashion people and cuddling with puppies and no mention of music of any kind, with the band or solo.

Maybe he is really and truly "burned out" with music right now. Remember Jon's comment that Richie would be welcome to return "when he is ready to die onstage like I am every night"? Maybe that was Jon's way of saying, 'Richie's heart just isn't in it, and when he gets that fire back, he's welcome back.'

Originally Posted by Aindi (Post 1141600)

A 'like' button on here is so badly needed! :D

Originally Posted by Mysterytrain (Post 1141642)

That's another thing that boggles my mind about this whole issue. If it's a Jon-and-Richie fallout, and if I was Richie, I'd be determined to stay on tour, on fire like during the first leg night after night, pulling out the stops and showing how awesome and vital I was to the band. I'd channel my anger through brilliant playing/singing. But by leaving, Richie helps support the idea that he is expendable. You'd think "pride of ownership" would kick in at some point with him, that he'd wake up and think, "Wow; the fans are sure loving Phil X, it's like they've already forgotten about the 30 years I put in; I'd better get back there and help remind them why I'm so great--those songs are mine!"