Well, he never said he played lead, just that he played on it. I've been curious what part he played exactly because the main riff sounds in Richie's style, sounds exactly like the earlier version of the song and there's pictures of Richie playing guitar in the studio with the capo on the 8th fret so while I don't doubt Phil played on it, I don't think it's that riff.

I'm not sure Phil plays the main riff either. I have a feeling he plays the slide part during the choruses, but of course I have no sources on that. Just a wild guess.

I think it was the Have a Nice Day tour that he was really needed when Richie was playing with a broken shoulder. Why he is still given solos I will never understand.

True enough but he was brought on years before that happened. When Bobby was brought in after the Bounce tour Richie was in fine shape. A little bloated but not making as many mistakes as he made until Bobby was on board.