The end of an era - And then they were 3
 

Another way of officializing the new line-up: the 2016 calendar with only Jon, David and Tico.


https://www.danilo.com/upload/produc...20Calendar.jpg

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https://www.danilo.com/Shop/Calendar...16-A3-Calendar

A rock band with no designated guitarists, bass or six-string? That's not a trio -- that's the beginning of an era of attempting to be the world's highest-priced Bon Jovi tribute band!

Honestly? It's pathetic.

For those of you who have been to shows with and without Richie - has the performance lacked or is it mostly the brotherhood and the stage presence that comes along with that?
I ask as I haven't seen a show with Richie having only been to Chicago 2013, Bangkok and Singapore on this past tour.


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I've seen 8 shows with Richie and 3 without him. The last 3 definintely lacked something. In Munich 2013 there were all sorts of licks and fills that Phil didn't play, I especially remember Raise Your Hands being quite dull and the solo to Saturday Night only being a repetition of the basic chords. And he just isn't the guy to play bluesy songs with the same feel. Memory and Roses were rather bland because of that.
There is no doubt that he had improved a lot until I went to Stuttgart a month later, but it was the personality Richie used to have (not saying that he still has it) that missed. The guitar playing was rather fine, but it lacked a certain magic and the acoustic rendition of Superman (which had been amazing in 2011) suffered a lot from the abscence of his backing vocals.
Cologne was great because Jon shook the setlist around like a maniac and threw all sorts of rarities in. I was thrilled, but with Richie's input (especially on This Ain't A Love Song) it probably would've been the night of my life!

Good. I'm glad they've moved on. If Richie doesn't want to be part of it, then he's not in the band anymore. Simple as that. Bon Jovi does now consist of Jon, David and Tico. That's the cold truth of the matter.

By all means, move on, I'm all for it. But the fact that not recognizing a fundamental part/member of a band that for 30 years included songwriting, production and an unmistakable sound/vibe on both recordings and live is just wrong.

But...it's a 2016 calendar. In late 2015, Richie Sambora is not a part of Bon Jovi. They can't dedicate a part of the yearly calendar to someone who isn't in the band.

I didn't have a good look at the calendar but if it's comprised of shots from the recent tour then it makes sense that Richie's not there. On a bigger scale, why should Richie be on any future merchandise from here forward. There's no reason for it.

Exactly right.