So when would you consider Richie to be at his best? Personally I feel that Richie solo projects has never brought out the best in him, and probably never will.

That's because with his solo projects he never focussed on making a big guitar record but on being a lead singer.

great acoustic guitar playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSsD...ature=youtu.be

Stairway To Hell! :)

And he said it was John Shanks who recommended him to Jon, not Aldo Nova or anyone from that era.

Ice

Interesting that well before anything happened he was already being kept on call just in case.

Yeah, very interesting indeed. Wonder how long exactly he had to learn the songs (how many weeks it really was).

That explains why he filled in so good the first time in, and takes a bit of the nimbus of him just being so good away. Also interesting that Jon saw that coming - wonder how/why or if he/the band actually talked Richie into going into rehab?

I think that Jon have hired some musicians to be ready just in case. Let's say David is sick, there must be someone to replace him for one or two shows. The show must go on! It's the same case with Tico and Rio 2013.

Just like that, Phil was always ready and waiting for a call. He was ready even before 2011, when he took Richie's place for a month.

Yeah, probably true and wise of him to do so. But if I recall correctly, the way Phil told the story in the video is that he was contacted a couple of weeks before he had to fill in, not before the tour or the first leg. So maybe Jon was just reacting to Richie's deteriorating condition or so...

That's what I thought as well. Phil said Jon wanted him to learn the songs for a possible fill-in in May. Since the leg had a break after the Vancouver show in late March Jon probably was more aware of Richie's condition than the general public or the fans. He might've known Richie was thinking about checking into rehab again (or at least that he probably needed to) and therefore concerned as to whether he was going to be able to play the leg in May.