And so Richie still isn't back......

.....with the band.....his band....MY band.  Bon Jovi.  I have loved them since "Runaway" was released.  I have every album on vinyl and iTunes.  The best band in the entire world is not "whole" and hasn't been for some time. 

The other night I was watching (again) the Bon Jovi BBC show from London via VH1C....from 2013.  I was struck by the obvious distance between Jon and Richie and not liking it.  I may be selfish, but I've refused to attend any Bon Jovi concert until all is back as it should be.  And it's been tough for me.   Up until "the split," I would see them every time they came to Wisconsin.  Paid through the nose for the best seats in the house.  3rd row one year, 8th row another. I dragged Mr. Bill to those last two highly expensive outings, but even he admitted that my band "put on a good show." 

Last November, Jon indicated that Richie had quit the band and there were no hard feelings, "Being in a band isn't a life sentence."  http://ultimateclassicrock.com/richie-sambora-quit-bon-jovi/  Well, if 30 years playing together isn't a lifetime, I'm not sure what is.  Jon and Richie have had their conflicts in the past, but they were always resolved...and I thought somehow it deepened their friendship and solidified the band.  I don't want to think that I was wrong.  

Later in that same month, Jon said it would be alot for him and the others to allow Richie back after a year and a half absence.  I think Jon calls the shots and could make it happen if Richie and he were both willing...but Jon (and the band) have apparently moved on.  http://ultimateclassicrock.com/jon-bon-jovi-richie-sambora-not-returning/   Again, this is not happy news for me. Jon has indicated the Bon Jovi train is still moving forward, they have toured without Richie with no issues, he is writing without Richie and planning their next album without Richie with no issues.  Jon?  I HAVE ISSUES!!!!!

Richie has done the same sort of "moving on" and is able to spend more time with his daughter, as well as focus on his music with new collaborators but easily acknowledged the satisfying experience from his time in Bon Jovi.  http://ultimateclassicrock.com/richie-sambora-interview-2015/  While I am happy that they are very civil in their interviews, I can't help but feel like there is something we aren't being told or even that it hurts the two of them to be apart.  Lennon/McCartney had Harrison....Plant had Page.....Jagger has Richards...Tyler has Perry.

Jon has Richie....or rather had Richie.  With David and Tico they were a 4-man band of brothers (including and especially the Alec Such years and his eventual departure).  The band mates were always allowed to do their own solo activities.  They truly seemed to all be the best of friends.  I understand business is business and the show must go on; the Bon Jovi machine employs a boatload of folks and the wheels can't stop turning when a band member decides to leave.

However......this fan doesn't have to be happy about it.  Ideally, they will reunite if they are ever inducted into the US Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame (mind you they are already in the UK one and the Songwriters HOF but the voting for that "place in Cleveland" hasn't matured enough to allow in Bon Jovi).  Better yet, they will reunite quietly and come out with an album and a small unplugged-like tour.  When (and I say when with confidence) Jon and Richie reunite for whatever reason, you know this Jovi Girl will pony up whatever it takes for the most excellent seats and is staying tuned for that day.