I wonder why so hard on Richie? If you claim RS has nothing to do with the creative influx or very little at least, then whether he left or not shouldn't have impacted the band so much PLUS they had Phil X with the right experience to fit Richie's abandoned place spot on.

They're both happy. They both were given new lease of life. They're still very much into music. Most fans have accepted it and 'missing' old times doesn't interfere with their enjoying new music.

Hell, they've moved on but they haven't ruled out collaboration in the future! Look at GnR. 20 years gone and now they set the world on fire!