The part that says he isn't playing the rest of the tour is not an actual quote.

This doesn't sound good.... I get the feeling that Jon doesn't give a shit if or when Richie is coming back. Now there is Phil who plays anything Jon wants... Ideal situation for Jon....

Aloha !

Let the conspiracy theories continue, let's see if we can make it to page 160 with this statement from Jon!

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

UK press (specifically Daily Mail) now going down the substance abuse avenue, reporting that Jon wants drug/alcohol free tour and can't trust Richie.

Still not sure that's the case - I reckon he's in North Korea as Obama asked Jon to negotiate with Kim Jong Un, but Jon said the money was more important.

Exactly it. Jon doesn't say that he won't be playing for the rest of the tour, the reporter is the one who added that in.

Or maybe Jon is the reporter and "Brian T. Atkinson" is yet another pseudonymous for John Francis Bongiovi.

The first part of it sounds like a story that Seb would made up.

Geez! Let's just call the band Bon Sambo and go on.

Surprise, surprise, the Daily Mail is full of shit... Who'd have thought it?

I just don't know what to believe anymore :(

This is the part that rubs me the wrong way. There are 2 schools of thought here. On one hand, it's nobody's business, etc. On the other, we're fans that have supported this band (in some cases) for almost 30 years. The respectful and professional thing to do for the fans is just clue us in as to what the situation is, and when (of if) he'll be back. And if the answer is they don't know, then say that. But to be as vague as "He's got personal issues, he'll miss this leg" is really lame in my opinion.