Tico,Hugh(Alec)-Rhythm Section!
 

Since I am a musician,I would like to give my view on Bon Jovi rhythm section(drums and bass),while general audience might not see this as a crucial or important part of an song,this is still something that any band shouldn't take for granted.
As of 00's you can see that rhythm section is simple,basic,uncreative,both instruments are used to fill a song instead of being equal part of it with vocal or guitars,and do I need to mention mix of whole songs!.

Well If you have a world class drummer like Tico Torres,wouldn't you try and use his ability at full,i am sure that he knows better about drumming than Jon,Richie or Shanks,or you will tell him what to do,when to fill,what cymbal to use,etc...!!!
I can't say nothing against Hugh,it's not his fault,he's a great professional bass player that serves Bon Jovi as a part-time musician,his job is to record a bass line that Jon,Richie or maybe even Shank tells him to,why would I think something like that?
Well,I believe that player of his calibre has more creativity than just pumping notes in the rhythm of song with few crosses here and there.

Even Alec John Such who I consider to be less better than Hugh in term of knowledge and quality had more interesting bass lines,versatility,and memorable live appearance but than again that was time when all members were involved deeper in songwriting process.

What is your opinion on this matter?

P.S:I didn't mention a David Bryan,because as a keyboardist/pianist he's not a part of rhythm section,but I certainly believe that he's a great composer and it's sad that he isn't involved in songwriting process anymore.

Well, as a drummer, bassist and guitarist, I do not like it when someone is telling me what to hit or when to hit unless I was thinking about it before hand and they said it in my "thinking" stage. So I would let Tico do what he pleases because he certainly won't ruin a song, only make it better. Dave needs to be apart of the songwriting with Jon & Richie because it only makes sense. Dave can play guitar too and all three of them could sit down and work out different melodies and having a third guy can really make a difference if there was to be some sort of dilemma plus Dave has been there since the absolute beginning with Jon before Richie. And by the way Hugh has been playing with the band for at least 20 years because Alec wasn't reliable in studio. I digress. Maybe Dave helped out on a few songs on the new record...we shall see.

I'm pretty sure everyone plays what they want. It's not like Jon & Richie compose the basslines and drum patterns.

Ice

Watch a few of the BJTV episodes, JBJ can be seen programming drums and telling Tico what to play.

Programming isn't playing. I'm sure they share their ideas on what they think is right for the song, but I don't believe they restrict them in any way. Hugh's said he plays what he wants.

Ice

For me it is clear: They ALL should get involved. BJ is a band where you can clearly see that every single member has talent.
This is a band and not two egos with 3 assistans. btw It's annoying me everytime I hear those stupid drum loops thinking of how good Tico is (esp. KTF) :-(

They programme the drums before Tico gets into the studio so they can play the Guitar, Keyboards etc over the top.

They then get Tico in who plays what he's told. JBJ said Hugh and Tico spend one day in the studio recording their parts. As any musician knows, it takes more than one day to work out parts for 14 songs.

I was shocked when I first heard it, but I think the advanced technology available has given Jon much more power than he had in the 80's and 90's.

You haven't spend much time in a recording studio have you? Programmed drums just keep the tempo, just like a click track. The drummer can then play what he wants.

Again, you haven't recorded much, have you? A drummer can easily record 14 songs in a day. And then again, I'm sure they've spent more time than that for the drums. You don't work out your parts in the studio, you do that at the practices. In the studio you just play. I've sat at the table while a drummer recorded parts for 10 songs in just a few hours.

Drum machines have been around since the beginning of Jovi. If you want to hear what Bon Jovi with a drum machine sounds like, listen to We Rule The Night from the box set. The feel is totally different compared to Tico's playing.

Ice

Since 2000 Tico has became almost redundant in the making of an album, it's as simple as that, and as a drummer myself I can hear that his playing has became pretty generic since 2000.

There's little argument to the contrary.

The question isn't whether he used to play better or not (Richie's playing has deteriorated loads), but if he's playing what he wants, if he's allowed to play what he wants. And I say he is. He plays what he want, what he thinks the song needs. Just like every one in the band. I don't like what they're doing, but I still say they play exactly what they want.

Why use a band otherwise? Jon could just get studio musicians to play what he wants, like he did with Alec.

Ice