Quote:
Originally Posted by semigoodlookin
He also co-wrote a lot of this hit chasing songs too. Richie gets a pass for his part in creating a shit Bon Jovi for the last few albums. He was there, writing, playing, and involved. Aftermath is a Bon Jovi album written and performed by Richie Sambora, it is not high art that changes the formula.
Both Richie and Jon did that with their previous solo albums, but together they are as bad as each other for the last decade. Jon was more involved in the studio and the final product, but Richie had his hands all over those songs too.
Some people think because he left he was standing up for musical integrity. Pfft, maybe he wanted more freedom to make decisions in what Jon admits is now very much his show completely. That's fair enough, but I think it was as much to do with Richie's ego than it was wanting to create more artistic music. I think his claims he wanted to be his own guy are legit, at best he wanted freedom, at worst he is having a midlife crisis. Either way, Richie stunk up Bon Jovi for 10 years along with Jon.
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Richie doesn't get a pass, but at the end of the day, every album and the direction of the band's music is ultimately Jon's vision and decision.
So while Richie obviously contributed, his contributions had to be aligned with the vision and direction Jon had decided each album would take.
Sure, he's enjoyed the bragging rights, but I don't think commercial success at this point in their career is nearly as important to him as it is to Jon. If it was, I truly don't think he would've quit the band.