Hall of Fame impact on Jon and Richie
 

I'm pretty sure this has been covered throughout various posts but I thought I'd start a dedicated thread.
In all honesty, what d'you reckon the odds are that the ceremony might bring them together once again ?

Let's be honest: it's not like they'd get together for the sake of the fans. I'm sure that there are a lot to be discussed on a personal level. Heck, they haven't seen each other in 5 years, allegedly. And it's not like Richie will have a change of heart when it comes to intensive touring.

However, do you see a scenario where there's a truce and they decide to take it easy on the touring so it doesn't happen again ?
I can see a Bon Jovi with Richie AND Phil X. Remember when Steve Van Zandt re-joined the ESB ? Nils was there and didn't leave. I could see it happening with Bon Jovi. And hopefully they'd ditch Shanks ;)

No and No.

I don't think enough time has passed to heal all the wounds personally whatever they were. I don't think they would've broken up if there weren't serious personal issues between them. Band members who are that successful together just don't break up unless there is a good reason. And once they break up, it's usually ugly. It's just a bit different in Bon Jovi, because they were always so good at not airing their dirty laundry in public. Richie's substance abuse can't be the main reason as Jon always stood by his side during his earlier battles.

And if Richie ever comes back, I'm sure Phil will bounce. He's probably too busy and too expensive for a secondary role like this and, unlike Nils, he's just not a fan of Bon Jovi, musically, that's always been pretty obvious.

It's ironic, because I actually think that Shanks would be a really good fit next to Richie, because Richie would be the guitar hero we all know and love, would sing all he backing vocals you need and the only thing missing would be a guy who plays the rhythm parts properly without ****ing up and needing the spotlight. Phil, in that spot would be underutilized.

Jon has already eased up on the amount of Touring the band are doing. Richie is slightly older than Jon and I think he got to the place where he didn't want to spend his life on the road before Jon did, but Jon is there too now I think, so I don't think that will be an issue anymore.

However, I too don't see this bringing Jon and Richie back together fully. I'm sure that they will talk and hash some stuff out. But for the most part they have both moved on. as Walleris said, I'm sure the problem run way deeper than any of us here know.

No - close thread.

I don't think Jon really trusts Richie that much anymore.

true, true. I actually didn't mind Bobby as much as 90% of the people here. I like his musicianship and kinda like the way he does solos, just not the way he's given the spotlight and BUTCHERS otherwise trademark BJ solos. That's always been the my main beef with Bobby. Anyways, you're right, I don't think Phil needs to fill the rhythm guitar spot.

Jon needs Phil for PR reasons. The band needs a rockstar, not yet another Jon's homeboy *half his family is already involved* and Phil gives the right impression. He's just a guy to rock on stage, though, as he's not been given any chance to get creative in the studio and after reading some interviews with him, he is well aware of his status in the band. Not that he complains, either. Everyone seems to be content with this situation.

Phil is a session player. His day job is not to get a creative outlet, it's to show up and play what's demanded. I'm sure he gets more spotlight playing in Bon Jovi than in the studio with regular pop stars, and for all we know, JBJ is a very friendly employer. He's the boss, obviously, but unlike Richie, Phil never expected to be an equal. He gets paid well and is treated with respect.

As to whether JBJ&RS will mend wounds at the ceremony, eh, I'd hope so, but I doubt it. I guess the performance itself will also play a role, if Richie manages to make Jon look good and doesn't try to upstage him, that'd be a good start.

They will hug. They will cry. They will go their separate ways.

In the beginning, it was just Jon and his band but then he and Richie became a songwriting duo and were the heart and soul of the band. I can't look at them differently as being of equal importance, even if Jon's the one who has the deal and is the namesake of the band.