[Ferret]

"I don't do long guitar solos anymore because we have too many songs"

Oh really? Is that why the band usually does under 25 songs per gig and pretty much ignores several of their albums? Richie doesn't do long guitar solos anymore because he can't be arsed, in case anybody didn't realise.

I have a CSNY bootleg that's got 30 songs and something like 14 of them are over six minutes. And yeah, they have four singers but this is guitar solos we're talking about. Nothing to do with Jon needing to sing more than usual.

Such a bullshit excuse.

[rocknation]

TRANSLATION: "None of us do solos anymore because Jon can't stand being out of the spotlight that long."

[SexxAtraxxion]

Underrated guitarist.

I don't think he's lazy exactly. Jon is the boss, and Hard Rock and guitar solos are not important anymore.

Best regards,
the Sexx

[Jovimimi]

Originally Posted by rocknation

TRANSLATION: "None of us do solos anymore because Jon can't stand being out of the spotlight that long."

I absolutely agree with that statement ... the solos are propably not exactly welcome from a Jon point of view ....no offense but more than ever the shows are about Jon
I think Richie is maybe lazy I don't know him well enough but I feel like he doesn't have much space to do crazy solos

On the last shows on this last leg I thought songs were played one after another like if the time for each song was very strict

[Ferret]

Originally Posted by SexxAtraxxion

Underrated guitarist.

I don't think he's lazy exactly. Jon is the boss, and Hard Rock and guitar solos are not important anymore.

Best regards,
the Sexx

He's definitely an underrated guitarist and that's why it's a shame he doesn't do many more guitar solos.

[Javier]

Damn!!! People's opinions of Richie as an individual and a man here are extremely low!!!

"Jon doesn't let him" blah blah blah

If the man wanted to do more solos, I'm sure they would be found on the albums (not nessesarily the singles)

He's the co-writer of most of these songs, and oversees the production of them as well, everything is up to Jon's standars as well as Richies.

Plus, it's not like a solo needs to be long in order for him to demonstrate and show off his talent, most of his solos in the 80's were about 20-30 seconds long.......

In my view, he's just gotten waaayy to comfortable when it comes to arranging his solos and often goes straight into his signature licks that he uses when improvising. i think Both him and Jon have gotten a bit too comfortable when it comes to songwriting and arranging but that's another topic on it's own......

[RS8MB0R8]

Perhaps he just doesn't 'feel' the new songs as much as they all claim to. We all know the albums are first and foremost about earning as much $ as possible but looking at the current trends in the music market, it's difficult to see how the stuff they really enjoyed playing circa the early 90s would fit.

I do genuinely think that the band would like to write another 'Keep The Faith' but it wouldn't fit today so they (somewhat stupidly) shy away from it. Whether that's on Jon's say-so or a collective band decision, only they really know but not many of the tracks they produce nowadays really cry out for a long solo. I love TC and think it is a good step back towards the older, arguably better material but it's still a little short.

Perhaps Richie sees that they spend very little time putting together the songs on recent albums and a great guitar solo would be lost on them. Who knows?

Live, he has become lazier though, there's no doubt about it.

[Mungojerry]

Personally, I just think all of them have to take a break, get that 'ol inspiration back, regroup in a few years and make an killer album. I don't think he's lazy, I just think the guy needs to get his spunk back. It's been BONJOVIBONJOVIBONJOVI for so long, and I think it might get a little boring after a while. The guy's been screaming to do something solo for years, but it's all been Bon Jovi, if ya know what I mean. And then again, there's his personal issues that got into the way, as well. You guys are way to hard on the man.

[sambora_gal]

i really doubt jon is such an arse to "want the spotlight" on him all the time. i think as someone said, they need to take a break and become inspired again. i've been watching some old concerts and that hunger, passion and high-power performance especially from richie is missing these days. it wouldn't hurt to step back and leave the market alone for a while and get inspired again (as much as i hate saying it)

[KeepTheFaith2211]

Saying 'take a break's all very well and good but this band doesn't have long left. If you want them to take a break, it's the beginning of the end.