Michaels hopes the band will host a headlining tour
Poison frontman Bret Michaels expects to regroup with Rikki Rockett, Bobby Dall, and CC DeVille for the band’s 40th anniversary in 2026. Despite hinting in recent interviews that Poison would possibly tour in 2025, that is not the plan. In a social media statement today (Wed, Sept 12th), Michaels clarifies what he hopes to see happen.
“To clear the air of any confusion, I just want to clarify to all the amazing family, friends and fans who I remain forever grateful for, that it’s no secret I have stated previously that in 2025 I’m planning to perform limited shows to focus primarily on health, starting with my diabetes which needs a tuneup, not to mention a little R&R as everyone knows my tireless work ethic and passion for performing music, as well as some much-needed personal family time…like I recently stated, I’m like a classic muscle car – still fast and still fun to drive, just need a little more maintenance,” he shares.
He adds, “However, in 2026, I’m excited to say it will be Poison’s 40th anniversary since the release of Look What The Cat Dragged In in 1986…so it would make perfect sense to have the possibility of a reunion in 2026. In my opinion, it would be the perfect 40th Anniversary Tour, with 40 awesome limited dates to go out, play real live hit songs, and rock the world…for example, in 2018, Poison headlined and rocked, and in 2022 (four years later) Poison joined Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Joan Jett and Classless Act and rocked the Stadium Tour and now, four years after that, Poison hopefully will continue to rock the world in a 2026 headlining tour.
“Again, although none of this is confirmed and it takes much coordination & planning to have a successful tour…good things happen in 4’s for Poison – 4 original band members, 40th anniversary, 40 limited dates, Parti-Gras 4.0 and May The 4’s be with you!
“To all the incredible fans, thank you for continuing to rock the world not only with the Bret Michaels Parti-Gras currently touring but also with Poison. I appreciate you letting me take a minute to clear any confusion. Stay tuned & have an awesome day!”
Michaels’ statement follows Rockett’s comments earlier this week that Michaels doesn’t want to tour in 2025.
“I keep getting asked multiple times a day, ‘Why isn’t Poison touring in 2025 now?’ Super simple answer, Bret [Michaels] doesn’t want to,” Rockett shared on Facebook this week.
In a follow-up post earlier, he addressed clickbait headlines, stating the tour was never booked.
“People, I never said that Bret is canceling the 2025 tour. It didn’t get booked. I said the reason Poison isn’t touring in 2025 is because Bret doesn’t want to. Doesn’t matter what the reason for him is as far as what I said. I’m simply telling you why so that CC, Bobby or myself doesn’t get blamed. It isn’t dirt. It isn’t a fight. Just the facts, ma’am. Surmise what you want from it. You will anyway!” he states.
He adds, “Sorry, but tired of the, ‘CC must be back on the sauce’ crap. It’s not true at all.”
In March, Michaels stated due to some medical setbacks, he plans to take most of 2025 off, except for a few performance dates.
“[I]n 2025, in light of some recent medical results and setbacks, and with much discussion and real advice from my doctors and family, I will be taking most, if not all, of 2025 off, except for a few select dates with both the Bret Michaels Band and possibly all original Poison,” he stated. “I truly need to recharge the batteries and get a good, much-needed physical tuneup. Please always understand that I am forever grateful to the fans and hope you understand that this will bring me back in 2026 and beyond to be able to always give one thousand percent on that stage with positive energy and an unbroken warrior spirit!”
Pete Evick, music director and guitarist of the Bret Michaels Band, released a lengthy social media statement on Wednesday, clarifying several rumors about Michaels touring with his solo band.
“I’ve stood on stage with him every night and he has never said 2025. He has consistently says 2026, it’s their 40th anniversary and he, along with some of the management team are actively planning the 2026 tour right now,” Evick shares.
He continues, “Second, he DOES have some serious health issues that MUST be addressed and taken care of. In fact, I’ve urged him to cancel the rest of this year to do so!”
Evick also addressed comments fans have made about Michaels’ decision being about the money.
“Poison’s publishing is split four ways. They all get an equal cut when it comes to the catalog, my point. Not one of those four guys have to do this, the money ‘Every Rose [Has Its Thorn]’ has made alone should have set their kids’ kids up. If for some reason any member of that band needs to tour, well…. They are the worst money managers in the world,” he states. “Next, the comment about Bret having to split the touring money equally with Poison versus taking a bigger cut with the solo band is not true, and unfortunately while we all have fantasies of brothers in bands splitting it equally, it’s just not reality. Bret makes a certain amount of money himself both in Poison and the solo band that is irrelevant to any guarantees or what any member of either band gets. It is not an equal split in Poison or the solo band.”
