The more I hear JBJ saying Shanks is his shrink, the more I think he's going to stay
I also wish Shanks could be hard at JBJ, no the other way
like Shanks himself has said: "I'm very lucky, because I see the artist. I see him when he's pacing around the room trying to find the right word. I'm always the one to say, let's record it, we've got it, let's put it down. He's like, 'No, man, let's get it to a place where the lyric is tight and locked down. If he's hard on me, he's twice as hard on himself."




it was because John Kalodner who told them to rewrite it again, in JBJ words: "He's one of the smartest guys I've ever met. That's just the way it is. He's been a friend of mine... and Kalodner said, 'I don't like it'. And it was his persistence that made the song Great! after 6 months of toil"



you know, he must also have some guilt too, who knows?

My opinion about Shanks, is a big commercial producer, but he has already repeated too many times with Bon Jovi, and it starts to be a problem, there is no freshness, the guy tries but his tricks are the same, and yes, he is responsible for the current sound of the band, with Jon, but let's not forget who is the producer of each recording. Richie has also had a creative descent in this band, I guess because of all the problems he had to deal with, and being in a band in constant movement it should not have been easy to stay on the boat for so many years.

I do not like John Shanks, but now I see it as a necessary evil to continue. The friendship with Jon has arisen as a result of the distance of Richie, and we do not forget that John Shanks has obtained several hits, from Lost Highway, all their albums are numbers 1.

I would love to see Jon make a solo album, it's the only way to hear a change.

Jon did not work with Bob Rock because Bob had the agenda occupied at that time, I remember he was producing Skid Row - Subhuman Race, a great album badly produced by the way. Then Bob Rock, was working with Metallica for years (Load-Reload- Garage Inc - S&M -St Anger).

In past interviews, Jon wanted Bob Rock to produce his sixth album, but it was not possible.

Metllica worked for 14 years with Bob Rock, and finally there was a stagnation in the sound, now we have the same problem with John Shanks.


The great thing about having a different producer on each record is that it gave you a new flavor, and... it's a pity that this will not happen.

[QUOTE=YOVANAfromPeru;1244418

it was because John Kalodner who told them to rewrite it again, in JBJ words: "He's one of the smartest guys I've ever met. That's just the way it is. He's been a friend of mine... and Kalodner said, 'I don't like it'. And it was his persistence that made the song Great! after 6 months of toil"

[/QUOTE]

That's my biggest gripe right now - there is no one challenging Jon to push the envelope.
If Jon doesn't want to lose Shanks at all, maybe at least a cooperation with another producer would help. Lost Highway was half produced by another person (can't remember the name now) and it's the most organic sounding record we've had in the 2000's.
I'm sure Shanks is capable of a different sound as well, but no is challenging him to push for something out of his comfort zone, as he isn't pushing the band members to leave theirs either. It's going round in circles.

Exactly, you said all the things I had wanted to say for a long time, just couldn't find the right words.

That's it guys, after the circle, we be going round in circles.. and there ain't no way around it 😀

It's kinda depressing to read this thread. So much truth can hurt indeed. Guess hardcore fans are the biggest dreamers in the world. No one can save this band if they themselves don't want it anyway!

"Everyday it's the same when they say that it might be the end.
In the end - when it ends - then I'll listen to them..." :)

I think the consensus amongst the hardcore support is Shanks has indeed done as much as anyone to bring about their seeming demise. He's safe though, having latched onto Jon and got his claws in so deep he'll soon be confirmed as an official member no doubt. At that point I'm out.

I so wish Jon could realise the negative effect his friendship with Shanks has had. He genuinely risks alienating his loyal fans, those who would otherwise had been there far longer than the type he still hunts with chart success.

If someone has to be depressed is JBJ.
Hopefully he'll care but I don't know because sometimes he's kind the devil LOL and as you said we're the biggest dreamers in the world...

nice topic and almost every post is right on topic, interesting analysies.
Shanks needs to go. As simple as that imo. they need new blood. Rick Rubin...maybe the biggest producer ever in modern music or a freud for others..he took johnys cash career and helped him release quality material when he was almost forgotten.
Jon needs to get the band together and surround them with a new guy who would respect their legacy, realise their strengths and produce them with a certain vision. Shanks is full of himself and his approach is more copying trends than following a path. His anwser to sth like this would be i am doing what the artist wants me to BUT a great producer must say NO sometimes, its obvious Shanks undermined Richies role imo...(Richie may have dissapointed many of us but imho remains a major talent), to be a harsh here...(jons unfair analogy) if shanks was producing u2 would he play the guitar parts??? he wouldnt dare...
( u2s one riff was found by the producer as was the intro texture of beautiful day along with many others...) still he should utilise Richies input and not try to replace the guy. i am not saying it was a part of a big masterplan just that he didnt value the chemistry of a great band and thought it was just jons name and voice...
Jon needs to change...I trul believe Jon is a brave guy..when u r on the spotlight u ll make mistakes but a guy in his 50s with 4 children, money fame etc who goes sky diving shows a lot to me...he ll figure it out. maybe not in the next album but he will.

ps. has anyone notice the new band for the acoustic events??? how much better are these 2 new guys than bobby or phil x who participated in the past?