All hypothetical: Whether it was money or creative issues as some have suggested, if Richie had doubts about doing the tour, he shouldn't have done it. I think a lot of people (especially on here) would have praised him for that, especially if it was creative. At that point, every member of the audience would be able to choose if they wanted to see a show with or without Richie. However, once tickets went on sale and were purchased with the inherint promise that the whole band were going to be there, there becomes (other than health or familt) no acceptable reason to bail in the middle of the tour. At that point, he should have stuck it out for the rest of the dates and left the band at the conclusion of the tour. It was completely unprofessional to leave in the middle of a commitment. (Again, going on the still hypothetical assumption that he left on his own accord for non-family/health reasons)