Butters |
08-17-2013 01:34 AM |
The problem with Richie is his grandiosity and arrogance as a solo artist. Compare his approach to that of Noel Gallagher. Noel was the lead songwriter and part-time lead vocalist of one of the biggest rock bands of all time. By the time Oasis broke, they were filling stadiums and large arenas around the world. Noel was as recognizable as the lead singer of the band, as famous, and very well known to be the real talent in the band. Fans and non-fans alike had been clamouring for a solo effort for a very long time. When he finally made a solo album he talked openly about not having an audience; he started playing in the smallest theaters, he played festival shows, he opened for established bands who could draw a big crowd (Red Hot Chilly Peppers). In other words, he was prepared to start from the bottom, grind his way through, build a fanbase and find success. He did it all with humility and grace (two characteristics not commonly associated with him!).
Richie on the other hand is guy nobody outside of the band's more loyal (and massively dwindling) fanbase knows about. And even among the band's fanbase he is generally viewed as second-fiddle to Jon. Vitually nobody besides his minuscule numbers of fans, knew or cared that he was making a solo record. Yet Richie constantly bragged about how successful he is; how underappreciated and unrecognised he is; disparaged the band in which he found success; was unwilling to play small venues to small crowds; and generally made no effort at all to actually build an audience.
Obviously I have no idea why he bailed on the band but given his astonishing level of (unfounded) grandiosity and arrogance, I'd be fairly confident that whatever resentment he had towards the band and Jon while promoting his solo record was intensified following it's failure and that contributed to his departure.
Richie is a f*cking baby and a diva, as far as I'm concerned.
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