The information came straight from someone either playing with the band or extremly close to them (I know who but I simply don't to want to put the finger on it since it leaked rather accidently). Bobby missed the 2015 mini tour due to him going through a divorce at that point. Now it's a common thing in music business that musicians need to train a lot before a touring cycle (remember Richie was in Hawaii getting in shape for the Circle tour when he got called back into the studio to re-record the Born To Follow solo) in order to minimize the risk of shows being cancelled because of health issues. Lenny Kravitz actually has some really hard bootcamps for his touring musicians before they hit the road. We all know how much Bobby turned into Santa Clause during 2014/15 and Jon allegedly told him to "get his act together" for the upcoming THINFS album/promo/touring cycle to which Bobby didn't react too well. He basically told Jon to **** off and take care of his own shit. That's where that ended.

He is on fire here. Where have you been all this time Jon? I'm glad to see you back.
https://youtu.be/BIl-Kl85Q5w?t=214

Can someone transcribe what Jon says from the minute 3:35 - 5:10 please?

And still launch the soundboard shows on this tour?

No way? Bobby actually said that? Well, pretty much? Madness!

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Holy shit. I was traveling and didn't see anything of these Brazil shows but this setlist has to be the best of the whole tour and that Someday I'll Be Saturday Night it just amazing. This is the Bon Jovi I love.

I'll back this story... I know they had a falling out... I was also told that Bobby is as equally difficult to work with as Jon...

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Oh man, I missed a not-awful version of In These Arms.

if bobby reacted like this then it was time to go... i think in a way bobby initiates some bad things for the band even if he isnt responsible...undermining richies position, making him feel less important after 20 years of career. with these touring musicians the sound was fuller, especially the vocals but it started not tobe a gang in a way, when you are 3-4-5 you have to stick together...i m sure jon dave and tico are closer than ever these last years..his style of guitar playing wasnt my cup of tea, and started playing 2-3 solos every show...songs he hadnt wrote and couldnt do justice live. anyway i dont really like shanks but he is an improvement as a stage figure, guitar player.
the new guy jon plays seems like perfectly capable. bobby is a good musician but butchered bjs music most of the time. in fact it surprises me how nicely he played in destination anywhere and how uninspired his rest guitar work with bj was.

Oh. Your sources wouldn't make this up, would they? (yeah, I know, who gossips about Bobby B. if it's not true...)

Good for Bobby anyway... what an asshole and tactless comment, given the circumstances.

Or maybe it was said in jest (trying to make sense of their later appearances together!) but even if that's the case... you go Bobby! Jon can be a such a pain in the ass. He's probably missing the paycheck though ha ha

I totally get the "You think this is good vocals? Are you that resigned that this is the best you expect from Jon?" comments I see on this thread because yes, we have ears and the improvement from the start of the tour, while steady, is very small. I was actually pretty shocked with the first BTBMB, I even posted here how horrible it was because I couldn't believe that song would be so difficult to sing. And now looking back... it hasn't changed a lot tbh.

But:
1. If you compare how bad the start of the LH tour was (Jon's voice was weak and his performances were very criticized, here and in other boards) and how it turned out to be after many many shows, in fact after 2 whole legs if I remember correctly AND
2. An aging voice is going to decline faster and faster with each passing year, no matter what

I understand the hopes of many and the leniency, if you may. While I don't believe that this will become the LH tour part 2 (mainly because Jon has been trying to improve since 2015! and I don't see how this can improve any further), it seems that Jon is confident with this voice. And with his confidence back, there's a bigger chance of an European stadium tour next summer at the same level it's always been.

Edit because it's not clear at all: this was a reply to other posts, not to GabrielC, his post reminded me that I was going to comment on this

I'll give it a try, I hope it's somewhat close

It's been a long time since we've been down in South America
With what was going on, right? (not sure about this one)
[I]We ?? here, gone through some tough times
Tico was sick, Richie was missing in action
But we came down here, we took the stage every night
With the ????, some sweat and your love
And it pulled me through.
Four years later, the stars are shining, 'cause I hear, I hear angels singing[I] (or "the angels sing")
And I hear the thunder behind'em
And I hear your hearts, they call me
[breaks into the song again]