[Frankie My Way]

Poll Of The Week..
I was just watching Richie’s gig from Tokyo 1998 and this question popped to my head being Richie fan.
What u guys think, if Jon and Richie would never have met, would Bon Jovi achieve such a great success during these years?
Would Jon by himself create all those great lyrics and would the band even be together this day making music?
And if this scenario would have happened how big success Richie’s and Jon’s band would have achieved separately.

I just started wondering Richie’s contribution in Bon Jovi and what would BJ be without Richie. As we all now Jon and Richie are equal songwriters both writing lyrics and making music together with the band.
Both have had their solo careers, Jon a little bit more successful but personally I like Richie’s albums better.

My opinion is that Jon&Richie are such a great couple like John&Paul with the Beatles. When two great artist comes together it's like some magic touch bringing all the good vibes and ideas to your head that ultimately lead to success.

Tell me what u thought's are and what u think could have happened?

Yeah, That’s all folks for this time but I’ll be back!


Btw..
I sincerely hope BJ comes back to Finland (next fall) when they start touring again.
We’re waiting impatiently.

[Rashbaum]

Well to be honest I think the only way to even guess at a question like that is to look at Jon and Richie’s respective solo stuff. To be honest, and not wanting to offend anyone, I’ve always thought of Richie as being a better singer, was more “Rock” and had a lot of his influences from harder edged and more bluesy bands than Jon. For that reason I reckon that a band fronted by Richie would have had more success in the 80’s than a band fronted by Jon without Richie (If that makes sense). That said Jon is a natural showman but without Richie I’d imagine his music would be a bit more old style rock and closer to Southside Johnny than the power of the Slippery tracks.

It’s hard to say though, “Stranger” to my mind is an amazing CD and I’ve no idea why it wasn’t a commercial success, but in essence it was just Bon Jovi without Jon, it probably would have gone down well in an earlier market. Jon’s solo stuff on DA took a bit of getting used to and really was lacking balls (although Bobby Bandiera did make the live version of “it’s just me” damn good) but I guess that’s not a fair comparison as he wasn’t playing with David and Tico and Hugh al la Richie so maybe that would have influenced the sound more.

Controversial as it may be, I’d bet Bon Jovi wouldn’t have enjoyed the same level of success without Richie and in fact, may have been less damaged if they’d formed without Jon…

(Ducks flying crockery and flames)

[~saz~]

It's hard to say. I prefer Richie's solo work to Jon's, and there's no doubting Richie's talent, but Jon's a natural born frontman

[rainsong]

I think Bon Jovi the band requires both Jon and Richie. The two of them have created their sound. i like both of their solo stuff, but have to say I think Jon would have "made it" no matter what, he has that "it" factor. Richies good, great even but I don't really see him as a successful frontman. I don't know how long either of them would have stayed in it without the other though, I've always thought they had complimentary character traits. I think they keep each other grounded and they feed off each others energy and ideas.

[Javier]

I agree with rainsong here, but I thought this was a poll.

[Mr Bluesman]

Bon Jovi would have been nothing without Richie. But then again, the band wouldn't have been anything without Jon. It is clear to see that they had (and still have to a certain degree) something special where song writing is concerned. I think if we still had a Bon Jovi with Dave Sabo, they wouldn't have got too far. We would have probably gotten more of a contribution from Mr. Bryan.

Then we come to live Bon Jovi. Richie is one hell of a performer; he suits stadium rock extremely well! I doubt that the band would have such a good reputation of being a top live act if it wasn’t for Richie’s strong performances.

[Becky]

Would Richie have even gotten a chance at a solo career?

Would Richie's CDs sound the same if not for the co-writing with Dave whom he met through Bon Jovi?

Would Bon Jovi had broken out big time without Desmond Child as a cowriter?

What if they hadn't worked with Bruce Fairbairn and Bob Rock?

What if Dave wasn't in the band to supply the keyboards and the sound that separated Bon Jovi from all the 4 piece rock acts or the 5 piece acts without a keyboard player?

What if Doc McGee wasn't the manager who made them tour like mad and get them exposure all over the world?

What if Jon had picked another bass player and there had been no Alec to introduce Richie to the band?

What if Tico had valued his marriage more than a shot at stardom and kept playing in cover bands so he'd have a steady income?

When it comes to Bon Jovi's breakout success, you have to look at a lot of factors and it goes beyond Jon and Richie. We know is that Jon would have gotten a deal because he got it before he had a band. Jon could have easily been marketed as a solo act. When it comes to songwriting, there are many songs he wrote solo on Bon Jovi CDs and he wrote the majority of the songs on his solo CDs alone. Richie's published three songs he wrote alone, so the comparison of Jon as a writer to Richie as a writer is warped. It can't be done because the numbers aren't there to make a real comparison.

It's all pretty much useless speculation. They are what and where they are because that's the way it worked out, not because of any one person or event.

The only thing I could say is if Richie quit the band, I'd still be buying their CDs tomorrow. I have no idea what I would have done 16 years ago.

Becky

[Keba]

I don't think the band could have done it without Richie. But they couldn't have made it if a lot of other factors didn't work out. What I mean to say is, without Richie, there would be no Wanted, Prayer, or Bad Name. At least, they wouldn't sound like the classics they are today. But Desmond Child co-wrote Prayer and Bad Name along with Jon and Richie. Without him, they might not have been number one hits. Then there are things like producers, the other band members, etc. (Just look at Becky's list and you'll see what I mean.)

[RS8MB0R8]

I guess if you look at this from every aspect, it is impossible to say what would have happened but I think the point of this thread is that in our opinion, given what we know and see Richie contributing from interviews, live shows and the amazing energy he brings to songs with his guitarwork and vocals, would the success be there without that?

It wasn't asking about Tico's marriage or Desmond Child's input - we have to try and answer this as the title of the topic asks.

Bon Jovi without Richie?

Given Child's input and Tico's divorce and everything else Becky mentioned as 'matter-of-fact', would they have survived without him?

I don't think so.

[heaven]

Originally Posted by ~saz~

It's hard to say. I prefer Richie's solo work to Jon's, and there's no doubting Richie's talent, but Jon's a natural born frontman

I defently agree on that. They need it each other and both know I guess!!!! The best couple!!!! *ggg*