Anyone else a little suprised TMZ or "the media" hasn't found Richie out & about or in a rehab or anywhere? The paps (scary as it is) seem to always find celebs.

Thats exactly why I dont think rehab is the reason.

I think they probably think they got their story and that's that. Other than the initial shock of it, I don't think Bon Jovi or Richie are very high on their "get" list for celebs. I think they would snap away if the opportunity arose, but they are not actively pursuing him. (He was just dropping his daughter off at school this morning, if he was being "chased" by paps, they would have gotten a shot at some point)

These two points I agree with. I find it interesting that during this whole time Ava didn't tweet any pictures or video of Richie, even a 2 sec one like today just to confirm that he wasn't in rehab. Just because she did today doesn't mean that he wasn't. He could have been and came home.

Think about it, they say this leg. The first time we see Richie is the end of this leg of the tour ( last show tonight) next leg ready to begin, Richie should be back.

The point about Matt is valid too. I know that he doesn't care what the fans think of him but he has been adamant that Richie will be back, no beating around the bush or secret messages. Richie is back. Jon has been on the Ellen show a few times. They have mutual respect for each other, I don't think he would lie on the show. So it does look like a case of he will be back but only Richie knows when.

Good point. Maybe the collective "rock n roll world" or the "paparazzi world" just isn't that interested....only us die hards are!

RS just tweeted ... 10:30 EDT

Hey everyone, starting to review all the contest stuff... Really having fun.. Thank you for all the entries....

Guess he's probably not going to make a surprise appearance in San Jose then. :-/

Kinda competing with all the official BJ tweets about the stream, too.

WTF? I understand people have their hard work out there, but THIS is what Richie is tweeting about tonight??

Yes. He is out of detox, took his daughter to school this morning, and is now watching his contest videos. :D

If that was the case, then I would have applauded Richie for doing it before the tour. I don't care how musically altruistic his reasons were, pulling out in the middle of the tour when hundreds of jobs depend on you and thousands of tickets have already been bought isn't something I can respect. (If it is the case)

Why post it minutes before your bands show is supposed to start? He had all day to post.

THOSE are the kind of posts I've been waiting for Richie to make.

Why? Seriously just curious, not being a jerk.

I think Bobby ate Richie. Certainly looks like he has anyway...

Because a tweet dealing with his solo work and contest is a pretty clear message that he's not indisposed from music activities.

So during all this time he couldn't look at the videos but tonight he is. I still am waiting for up say sorry for not being at the shows.

Don't make it sound like I'm defending it.

Guess it's not his band anymore?

He's a solo artist promoting his solo album? :???:

I see it differently...

He hadn't been seen for over 20 days 'till yesterday, when he took Ava to school... and then, on the next day, he tweets that he just started do work on the videos...

It seems that something was actually keeping him away from his usual stuff during the last couple weeks... as if he was actually too busy with something...

The rehab theory is still alive, I think.

The Ava video was today and if any of this was the case, tonight was not the night for solo promotion. Common sense is lacking with that tweet, or else he.just doesn't care how it looks.

Personally, I think there's a couple of theories still in play:
1. Jon/Richie fight/argument/rift/etc.
2. Rehab
3. Treatable medical issue that didn't require hospitalization.


and of course the Mother Shibubu theory.;)

My thoughts too. He's out of whatever treatment program and is picking up life where he left off 3 weeks ago.

He's off this leg so tonight's show isn't even on his radar.

If he's promoting his video contest, that means the gag order theory is moot.

I noticed Bobby is looking a little thick in the middle. That theory is about as plausible as some of the others, lol.

Phil x was good but he was no richie, hoping and praying hes still comming back.

What it means is, he has a contract with Jon that right now, he is not fulfilling. What is in that contract, no one knows.

I have a feeling he might be back for the South Africa gig and we'll never know what happened. But the fact remains, if this is simple, personal problems then there doesn't seem to be any good reason not to explain it - I know, I know... 'it's private, he doesn't have to tell you anything! Leave Richie alone!' Okay... that's fine. But the people who put money in his pocket and who have cared about him for 30 years are both concerned and let down.

If the basis of my second theory is right, then Matt wasn't lying, from Jon's point of view, there is no fall out. Richie wouldn't have tweeted, not because of any gagging order but because both parties were trying to stare each other out... Richie can't take to Twitter and invite the world to ask him questions every five minutes. I sincerely hope my first theory, right back at the start, is right; he had a wobble, he took some time to be with his kid, get some therapy.

So he disappears and lets the shit storm do his work for him... 'let's see how much they miss me.' Puts a helluva lot more pressure on Jon that way. But Jon comes out and starts being Jon-of-old on stage... 'Let's see how much they miss Richie NOW.' I sincerely hope my first theory, right back at the start, is right; he had a wobble, he took some time to be with his kid, get some therapy.

But whatever it is, it's sad to see Jon the way he was during that press conference. I really don't know why he bothers trailing the band around behind him to things like that, they look f*cking bored. The moment where Richie actually speaks, I think Jon, in his way, is trying to make sure what Richie said wasn't glossed over, that's him re-emphasising Richie's point but he does it in such a tactless and sharp way, it makes him look like a tool. Richie just looks like 'why do I bother!?'

I think Richie may have been asking himself "Why do I even bother?" a lot in recent years. He has certainly had a reason to on many occasions. Spending time with Ava in Hawaii may have caused him to think he would rather spend time with his family, who he doesn't get to see very often on tour, than to continue with the band in support of music he doesn't really care about and where he has been underused anyway.

Page 200!!!! :D

Could it be as simple as Richie wanting to sing Every Road during each show? He does tend to sing one song on his own and I can see him wanting to do that. Jon could be saying no, its not a Jovi song, then Richie points out that its in the new album, and Blaze isn't a Jovi song.... Cue a bit of aggro between them and Richie going on strike

Jon should have just made this a solo tour.

This makes sense to me. Richie needed more time off for himself so he just took it. Simple as that. Still think he'll be back for Europe though.

At least jon wont be paying phils flight to europe if richie cannot make it there...its richie or bobby on lead guitar

Maybe because fans spend their hard earned money buying over-priced ticket to see Jon AND Richie and Dave and Tico? From what I see with all the shit going on with the cover constest of a lousy song, it looks like the guy doesn't give a damn about the people who've been faithful to the band over the years.
I can understand Richie being fed up with Bon Jovi, but then you either leave BEFORE the tour or after.
And the "underuse" thing might be true if the guy hadn't released an album last year with such poor guitar work in it.

Whether you appreciate the guitar work on Aftermath, or not, it actually has guitar work on it. As opposed to the majority of WAN...

I was listening to I'm With You last night and the more I listen to it the more it sounds like progression from Destination Anywhere, not The Circle. He should have just made WAN a solo album and toured it with Bobby, Phil and a couple of other session players.

This world tour seems forced.

He is not the only one with a family. Jon, David and Tico all have families. That is a poor excuse to use. Richie is only single one. Jon, David and Tico all have wives, all have children and all do outside projects away from the band. And if he didn't care about it, why come onto the tour to begin with?

There is really no excuse for what he has done. To not come back and to say FU to his fans while Jon, David, Tico, Hugh and Bobby can all do the shows. All of them can give 100%. Then to top it off and post a tweet about his video contest on the night of a livestream, when he had these weeks to watch the videos and glad he is having fun while his fans are missing him and wondering when he is coming back.

Yes, I said it was poor. I mean, people should listen to apocalyptic love if they want good songs and great guitar work. On aftermath, both are at best mediocre.

Let's see who takes to the stage next month... I still don't think we'll ever know the whole story, no matter what happens.

... and a whiny, 90s vocal...

I don't agree. There are some good songs on Slash's album and the man can make a guitar sing but Miles just doesn't have the character in his voice that Axl could produce. Great range but his tone is like nails on a chalk board for me.

Give me Richie's vocal over that, all day long. Also, as a lyricist, Richie's Aftermath tunes kick the p*ss out of anything on Apocalyptic Love, IMO.

Hah! Apocalyptic love... :D Good one.

At this point, it is all still speculation. Let's not forget that.