Could you make the same decision that Tico did?
 

According to a book that Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley has written:
Interesting story, though quickly debunked by Jovitalk's historians -- Richie joined Bon Jovi a few months AFTER the Kiss audition. But suppose Stanley HAD gotten it right?

Suppose Richie had committed to working with the totally unknown Bon Jovi when he was invited to take a shot at definite fame and quick fortune with Kiss. Actually, we DON'T have to suppose, because that's exactly what happened to Tico -- he says he was invited to join Ozzy Osbourne's band when work on 7800 Fahrenheit was beginning.

So put yourself in their shoes: Though starting on the bottom means you'll have more artistic control, there's no guarantee you'll hit it big. Though joining a band that's already hit it big doesn't guarantee either job security or artistic input, it does mean easier paydays and something you can put on your resume. And if that's not interesting enough, let's say that Jon gets mad and says "Well, I hope you do get the gig, because you've lost this one." What do you decide?

Michael Schenker did the opposite. He left the Scorpions in the beginning to join U.F.O., a much bigger band at that time.

Aloha !

Tico was only asked to join Ozzy for the road, and although the pay was maybe a bit bigger, it was just as permanent as Tico drumming for Bon Jovi; Both jobs could be over in a year or so. He went on to record Fahrenheit as the band would get a deal opening for others and had a fanbase in Europe and Japan big enough to tour on their own. As for artistic control; I very much doubt Tico had any either way.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

Right -- six of one; half a dozen of the other. Maybe Ozzy decides he likes Tico enough to keep him around; maybe 7800 Fahrenheit sells 7800 zillion copies. I guess he figured that if he took the Ozzy job (most likely resulting in Jon replacing him), he'd most likely find himself back on square one t the end of that "year or so" -- where, at the age of thirty-two, would not have been the smartest place for him to be.

As for Richie, I think he sensed that Gene and Paul were looking for "hired help" rather than a "fellow" bandmember, and didn't want to jump through their hoops with no artistic input regardless of the size of the paychecks. The audition was most likely a resume-padding exercise.

tico obviously believed in jon, in the band and probably had a great time with the guys, he was really close with alec and probably with the rest as well...he obviously took a shot, he left a band with discography and followed a youngs man vision, in an old interview he also stated that this was the main reason why he divorced with his first wife. i didnt know the ozzy story, i ve read that blackmoore proposed a collaboration with rainbow...both situations are really great opportunities, if tico had took the chance he could probably work with them in the studio as well if they were satisfied, they obviously had seen sth to propose in the first place...
richie believed in himself and i remember reading many interviews where he kept talking about solo career etc even after new jersey,...richie obvious wanted to sing and be a frontman. these days though acts like bj hold him down etc while the truth is that richie made his best work with bj and not alone, he recently tweeted he cant stop writing songs...i want to hear richies solo work but i feel sad when he puts down jon and the guys,.
bon jovi were never cool, lets be honest, they were always seen as corny, unoriginal, good looking guys...many people now like the hits but few realise how brilliant they were live, how good some of their songs are, how good musicians they were by the "rock"standards with blues and a few funky elements, and imo that they made some brave decisions that noone gives them credit...having said all that its a bit sad realising that richie and david, 2 of the main guys dont feel totally happy with the outcome, with their legacy etc and that makes me feel they are there for the money some times...
jon is a very good songwriter and deserves more credit, richie is gifted but need guidance and a frontman like jon to shine imo and david, i m sorry but i dont think he is that talented, he sure can play and sing but i havent listen one good song from him...he is a great keyboard player i just dont think he had so many things to give and the guys didnt use him in the writing process...

From a 1992 interview I did with Jason Newsted:
Which left Flotsam and Jetsam with a tough decision of their own: either wallow in their misfortune and betrayal and break up -- or get another bassist and get on with their lives!

Dave's problem is that people assume his songs aren't good enough because Jon would be singing them if they were! Fortunately he took the hint and started peddling his wares on Broadway -- and got a couple of Tonys out of it! And talk about making career-altering decisions: Dave had to choose between medical school, Julliard AND rock and roll, LOL!

personally i dont assume anything, i just have formed an opinion based on all the tracks i ve heard released official by him...its a personal opinion, i may be wrong, but i dont really like what i ve heard from memphis, lunar eclipse and toxic avenger, i am not a big fan of musicals as well

different niche there and style altogether
i love eclipse, me

original q, depends how good got on with original band

We all have our opinions on Richie at the moment but it is interesting that other musicians who have spent time around him have nothing but good things to say.