Sambora and Bon Jovi: What do we know?

According to Rumorfix, talks between Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi are going well. This is of course based on the assumption that Richie's absence from the tour is due to some kind of falling out, which hasn't actually been proven.

Meanwhile, in this Portuguese interview, Jon reiterated that Richie has not been fired and there was no fight over money, which was a claim made by TMZ and has been one of many theories regurgitated since.

Amid the rumours, innuendo and quotes that may or may not have been embellished in print, it's probably worth noting what we actually do know about the situation:

• Richie withdrew from the tour ahead of the second leg for unexplained "personal reasons" and his absence was sudden enough that Bon Jovi performed in Calgary that night without a lead guitarist.
• Jon said Richie has not been fired and the two of them have not had a fight.
• Richie said he is great and everything is good, but he can't make any other comments.
• No one in the Bon Jovi camp seems to know if or when Richie will return.
• Bon Jovi fans, Jon fans and Richie fans have been losing their proverbial faeces.
• Based on his Instagram pics, Phil X could launch another career as a tourism ambassador for several European countries.

Okay, so the last two points are my personal observations. But the irritating fact remains that despite all the drama, we barely know any more than we did at the beginning of April.