This could get good if Richie returns fire at Jon. Balls clearly in his court.

Sorry, you was referring to Jon. Sorry.

I don't think its out of context. Jon has said several times recently that Phil X was there to replace Richie and he sounded just as good.

To be fair, if being 'discussed to death' was a reason not to post something... this entire thread would have stopped a LONG time ago...

Also, as a fan of the new stuff, you should surely be used to hearing the same stuff over and over again, just with a slightly different words ;)

You'll notice I didn't think that was what Rolo meant, hence my comment. Easily done. Just trying to stick up for him before the Pro-Jon's tear him to shreds.

Richie has no balls these days.

I'm starting to think there is no proper reason for him not being there, which is why they label it personal. He simply doesn't want to be there anymore.

And now Im asking to myself.... what about all the stuff that Obie said in the last few shows? Did he lie? Was this interview made a long time ago and was written now?

I dont know what to think, this all seems wrong

Yes, but what do you expect him to say instead? "The shows have suffered greatly, Richie's replacement struggles on several songs and his backing vocals are nowhere near Richie's". Those press conferences are aimed at casual fans, who wouldn't feel the difference anyway. Jon would always add him how they miss Richie ''very much". UNTIL THE EDGE REFERENCE he did sound very supportive.

This +100000000000000

I think Richie is in a bad place man made or whatever and being called out. If Jon wanted to fire him he would have done so. I mean any other band would fire a guy who has bailed this many times.

Everyone else grew up, seems Richie may be gone permanently soon.

Woah, slow down here. LOL

I didn't say that a topic being discussed to death is not worth discussing, I was just saying the whole old vs. new has been discussed elsewhere, I think it's got its own thread as well. And that's absolutely not to say it's not okay/worth/appropriate to discuss it here as well, I was just making the point that Rolo was talking about the interview. And he even confirmed it in his next post.

I'm not sure defining me a fan of the new stuff is appropriate. It almost sounds like I prefer the new stuff over the old one, I don't. I just don't mind the new stuff. Would I jump up and down in excitement if they brought some of the old passion to their new stuff? You can bet on it. Do I miss it somehow? Sure. Do I hate the latest releases? Not at all.

Also, my point to Rolo was exactly that: why should there be "pro-Jon" or "pro-Richie" about this, before we even know anything? I say, let's judge the facts. Unfortunately, we don't have many of those so far.

The facts are that Richie bailed on a tour with a few hours notice to his "brothers". Additional facts are that this is not the first time.

Jon is not to blame here - at least not professionally. None of us know what has gone on behind the scenes.

And yes - I think Jon is frustrated and is starting to lash out hoping to get a reaction out of Richie. Keep in mind that the rest of the band (not just Jon) is paying for Richie's behavior.