Richie Sambora's Tour 2016!

Bad Company ‏@officialbadco 28 min

.@TheRealSambora and @orianthi enjoying the show in Leeds. #SwanSongUKTour

I must say, I wasn't too impressed with Bad Company. They should have retired years ago.

Very sad to see Richie reduced to be an opening act
Its his choice and he says hes happy but I dont believe him

Bad Company are one of his favourite bands, he said that's why he's opening for them.

You can't really bash him for that.

Some quick points...

1) Bad Company were amazing, everything a band should be, Paul Rodgers sounding as good as he ever has at 66. If only Richie and Jon could have kept their chops like this! Not sure why one person would think they should have retired years ago!?

2) What's the deal with being so obsessed about Ori having a stylist!? She looked great last night! But really, who really cares!?

3) There is no shame in being an opening act in an arena. Richie could easily do a theatre tour as a headline act over here, but not arenas, especially with no new product. This way he gets to play to more people and potentially expand his audience. There is no shame in that, especially for band as legendary as Bad Company. RSO is just starting out too, so expecting to be able to headline arenas is very unrealistic. It's common place in the UK these days to have an arena tour with a major name headliner and a big name second on biller that will help sell tickets.

4) Yes the RSO shirts were HORRIBLE!!

5) Last night, the show was a strange one for sure. His playing for the most part was pretty good, A couple of bum notes here and there, but nothing like some of the YouTube clips. His vocals were pretty good too. A couple of cracks on the higher notes.

BUT....Half the time it felt like the rest of the band had no idea what Richie was going to do next, like it could fall apart at any second. Although it threatened to a few times it never truly did. Ori and the drummer did an amazing job and were working together very hard to keep it together after Richie would take the end of the song off in to some tangent. They would bring it back. There was a part at the end of Every Road where it was clear Richie was going to go into another extended vocal/jam thing at the end, but Ori was having none of it (there'd been way too much of it already), so she went over to the drummer and they ended the song, much to Richie's surprise it seemed.

Ori was amazing throughout I thought, I've been very critical on her vocals in the past but she sounded great on her two songs and the band seemed most together during these songs as she was taking the lead. When she seemed to do this is when it seemed to all come together best. I think maybe Richie should leave her to manage the band while he concentrates on his singing and playing. Stranger sounded really good until a strange extended ending, Wanted was pretty good. These were Richie's best moments. He needs to drop Lay Your Hands On Me.

They had set up the voice box so I presume prayer was supposed to be last, but after Wanted the roadie signalled that they were out of time...

They keyboard player was terrible. He seemed like he didn't even know the songs, was completely lost in Every Road and missed a few key parts in Wanted etc. Bass player did a decent job.

I enjoyed the show, but it was somewhat frustrating as I know Richie can be so much batter. My other half commented that he seems to be a different person from 2012.

I don't really like to get into the sober discussion, as it's difficult to know for sure. He wasn't wasted, but I don't think he was sober either. He was a bit mumbley at times.

Over all though they got a decent response from the crowd. I was pleasantly surprised that there were a few Richie shirts in the crowd (Have to say I didn't notice any Jovi ones, but there must have been some). A good chunk of the audience seemed to recognise Stranger, so that was also a good sign.

I do wonder what someone would have made of the show that isn't really a fan, and doesn't have previous shows from 2012 and the 90's to compare too. Most people seemed to enjoy it.

Looks like I may be going to Notts and Brum now as well, with people that have never seen richie before so it will be interested to see what they make of it.

Why? There's no shame in that.

Some people seem to have this idea that Richie wants to play on the same level as Bon Jovi or try to fill arenas and stadiums. I don't think that's his goal. He's been in this business long enough to know that: 1) very few solo artists do that, even at the height of their careers, and 2) while he's well-known as Bon Jovi's guitarist, when it comes to his solo career or RSO, it's kind of like he's starting all over again.

That aside, I seem to remember an occasion when the band was more than happy to open for the Stones. If I recall correctly, Jon even told Mick he'd be willing to carry his luggage or something.

Great minds...

Sorry for posting over top of your comments to say many of the same things. You posted while I was editing so I didn't see it.

Thanks for the review! I just love Paul Rodgers, regardless of who he's teamed up with; but I've always wanted to see Bad Company, too. While I share your frustration in knowing Richie can do better, I'm glad there were still some highlights for you in RSO's show, too.

you aint wrong.

Ha,no problem.

Not about to get into a Bad Company discussion on here, but I must admit I'm bemused that people here think they should have retired years ago when Paul Rodgers still sounds exactly the same as he did the 70's.

By their definition surely Bon Jovi should have retired in 1996!?

Each to their own though...

Thanks a lot for your review.

It looks like Richie really wants to have a new approach to playing music, more jamming like jazz musicians do or experiencing new arrangements on the spot than playing the songs (almost) like they were recorded, only trouble is, he needs a band who can follow his path and understand his whims... he needs... the E Street Band! Remember the "Stump the Band" tour?!

I don't want to get into the sober discussion myself either, I just want to point out to everybody who's not familiar with painkillers that some make you act/look like you're drunk although you're completely sober (because they affect your nerves, just like alcohol). And when I read that a few years ago Bruce couldn't play the guitar like he used to because of a numbness in his fingers caused by his cervical vertebrae being damaged, I more than ever encourage you to be wiser and think twice before you state "Richie's just an old drunk" because we don't know anything.
Just sayin'.

Now let's hope the band will be tighter come the last show in London and Little Steven will get to jam with Richie!