Winwood, yes. Frampton, no. Winwood had a lot of hits and classic rock staples and was still actively writing big hit songs.

Frampton only had three memorable hits and his star had long faded. He could do his three hit songs (just like they played I Got You, DDIO, and Free Fallin’), Oh Well, GYOW, and maybe a Peter Green blues number. Considering he was playing as a sideman in David Bowie’s band when Lindsey left, I doubt he was at any risk of overshadowing Stevie or Christine, aside from not being a barely known.

Billy and Rick didn’t exactly, either.

Sammy was in Van Halen, which was a way bigger band at the time. Furthermore, he’d been in Montrose and Van Halen. How many last name bands that aren’t his can one guy be in?

I love you Steve. Please never leave this place. You are one of my favorites.

Really, Rick and Billy were excellent choices, and you’re 100% right that neither one of them would take the spotlight away from Christine or Stevie, yet they would still be able to hold their own, as it were.

I see Frampton as more of a rocker than Winwood, but either one of them would have been interesting paired with FM. Considering Stevie did two solo songs on the 1987-1988 tour, and Billy did his dad’s song Tear It Up, I think FM would have been ok if Frampton or Winwood had played a few of their solo hits.

I think Billy and Rick were good choices too. Don't forget Stevie did Don't Let Me Down Again on the Tango tour as well.

Billy did Tear It Up on BTM Tour so that was after he had done the tour promoting Tango and made an album, BTM, as a member of FM.

It's interesting that Axl Rose toured with ACDC as their lead singer while they were promoting their Rock or Bust album and ACDC did not do any GNR songs in the set. So perhaps that could've been the same for FM with Winwood and Frampton.

Axel was replacing Brian Johnson who could not tour because of hearing loss issues. It would be insulting for Axel to put Guns and Roses songs in the set. Even if Axel suggested one, I am sure the guys at AC DC said no.
Brian was not fired nor did he quit so this scenario is not a fair analogy. If my memory is correct Axel volunteered himself. If Stevie ever cannot tour anymore, I will gladly volunteer myself. I can play the cowbell off beat better than her.

Insulting to play a GNR song in the ACDC set?

I don't see why it's not fair. I think if Slash were filling in for Angus I'd agree with you (not on insulting), but replacing a lead singer is different, in my opinion. It was the last leg of the tour, Brian wasn't returning.

I agree with what they did anyway. Keep it an AC/DC set. It's cute that Axl was singing the new songs promoting their new album.

We will just have to agree to disagree ;)
If anything, I feel the opposite and Slash playing for AC DC would open the door more for a Guns and Roses song since he is the instrument to make it happen.
But it is insulting to AC DC fans. They paid for a ticket for AC DC. Even the arrogant Axel Rose knew it would be too much and not go over right for him to self promote and do a Guns and Roses song. He kept it about AC DC which is what it was supposed to be. But like I said the AC DC example is bad because they did not fire their vocalist and he did not quit either. It was a desperate time and the band wanted to keep going with the tour. Axel volunteered to do it and the band played on.
If you have the honor of standing in for a legend vocalist in a band, you dont do your own material. Its not about you.

Even though Axl has always seemed to be a crazy POS, he seemed to know how to do the right thing this time. Old Goat could take a lesson.

Thanks! The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. He was/is very underrated. You’re My Favorite Waste of Time and Someday, Someway are very catchy songs, and I can’t believe they weren’t bigger hits.

i recall David Bowie's interview where he said that Peter Frampton was opening for Stevie Nicks which he implied was a waste of his time, and so he asked him to join his band where he can fully display his guitar skills to the right audiences.

Two words:
Todd Sharpe!!!!

Really criminal he was overlooked. He would have fitted in really and probably wouldn’t have needed 2 replacements….just him.
And he was a better songwriter.

It really makes you think about their selection process. His name had to have been brought up, so I wonder who the big veto vote was...

Todd did a Q & A online many many years ago and this was one of the first questions out of the box. He said he was never asked but would have been humbled to have been asked.
Nothing against Rick. He is a fine player but Todd would have pumped a little more energy into the band IMHO.
We know why Billy was asked but we never get clear answers why Rick? Its not that Rick was not qualified but why? He had no real connection to the band. I suppose some genius record industry expert talked the band into hiring him. Something like.....the band needs a professional guitarist....someone with lots of studio work and flexible. Rick fits that bill.....blah blah blah.
I am only speculating (so don't flame me) that either someone thought Billy was lightweight and they needed a more polished guitarist to compliment him OR having already hired Billy, Todd was seen too lightweight and he did not have his sea legs yet. This is not something I agree with but Todd was not a mover and shaker with the big stars. Even he stated he was humbled when he met Clapton during the McVie album. Lindsey commented that it was funny they needed 2 guitarists to replace him ;)

Billy IS NOT a lead guitar player.