Song introductions like this is the only thing that can help Jon keep the audience interested in absence of Richie.

Phil X Is Back Into The Tour.

**** Yeaaaaah.

Edit: Sucks that Jovitalk doesn't let me write all in caps locks, I was actually shouting that.

Just read this: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/en...-29173202.html

Richie better be there in Vienna or I'm gonna be seriously pissed.

After dedicating Wanted to Richie at tonight's show, Jon said...

"Life always has a few bumps in the road...he will be back""

That's encouraging to hear.

Maybe he feels its so shit there's no need to comment or he hasn't seen it

Actually maybe this whole thing is staged, to get people (not die hard BJ fans) talking about the tour and possibly attending the shows. The album bombed because it sucks so they need to get attention in some other way.

album bombed? Dont think so.

Album debuted at #1 in the US

Yeah, the album certainly didnt bomb. I was actually quite impressed by its sales considering how terrible the marketing and promotion for it was. Shows the power of the Bon Jovi brand name.

Regarding Richie I think it has to be family or minor personal problems. If it was a cash or treatment by Jon thing, i've no doubt the label and promoters would put pressure on Jon to sort it at least for the European run. Its an ambitious tour in terms of venue sizes and the band can't be a member down or Jon be portrayed as some nutty dictator who pissed off his guitarist to the point he walked out.

If its personal its a similar sized leg as the one Richie skipped on the last tour, so its obviously the best time to take off. If I had to guess he'll be back for South Africa and Europe.