A million times this. 2006 was a rough year for him and booze and pain killers will mess you up, especially if you're going through other stuff. But to say he drank to the point that someone in the front row can smell it in an arena/outdoor stadium filled with people drinking, there's gotta be a point where it's silly to say.

Exactly. Yovana misses the point completely, yet again... :rolleyes:

Lol A million times.

You've clearly been hanging around RDK too much. He tried to marry me off to Old Joysey. :p :)

I was at both 2006 MK shows.
Richie was drunk at both shows,especially the 2nd night? Yes
Someone could smell alcohol on Richie at front row? The most stupid thing said on that board ever.

New rule for life. Whenever and wherever you smell alcohol, it is Richie and he is off his tits.

I was at Milton Keynes, bang average to poor show with a terrible effort from a drunk Richie. The smell may have been coming from the truck selling booze, or the people in the crowd drinking it. A part of me hopes it was Richie they could smell because that would be an amazing effot from him.

I have only seen MK night 2 on video and normally I am a harsher "judge" on video than live because you can rewind, slow down, zoom in - and armchair qb. I didn't think he was that bad. My litmus test is watching his hands (and vocals). He or any good guitarist really can have a hypnotic affect on me when I watch their hands. He sounded good, played well to me. Also maybe I am thinking now in comparison to what has been seen/done since he left the band. There's bad and then there is horrible. Plus he's older and it becomes more difficult to cover. On another note - loved that set list.

I know I've heard the "smelled" him from the pit remarks. I thought they were being facetious to make a point based on behavior. Now, stage side and he came over, quite possible as he sweats on stage. I did a little fact checking to make certain what I thought was accurate. Alcohol in the system can be smelled not only on the breath, but in sweat and actually through the pores of the skin. To be accurate, its the hops/barley and not the alcohol - why lighter liquors have less odor. I do know several who were close enough for a hug, meet and greet or just coming out to the cue and knew it was him they smelled. As to drugs - it's a judgment based on behavior. Just like when a police officer pulls someone over - there are patterns.

I just want him to get his shit together, and give us a solid Sambora record. I'd love to have a chance for a solo gig. Never seen him solo, could have gone to NY, but just couldn't do the duo. IDK if he can/will. He's not doing any personal PR - a little from others, vacation pic but he's gone rather quiet. I think that is evident by the content of the board, we can only rehash because we have nothing new, we/I don't want to give up on him.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1GiyGgM4_/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1GcPkB5Uw/

Pretty good rendition of IML from late 2018. The best part is that Orianthi is nowhere to be seen! I like what he did with the arrangement.

Stick to your guns... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVhs...=youtu.be&t=79