Poison frontman Bret Michaels has shared a new update on his health and his plans for future solo shows, revealing the news in a post on Instagram. The update comes after Michaels was forced to postpone all live performances following a health emergency that led to an emergency surgery.
The rocker explained his mindset around staying positive and setting goals as he works toward returning to the stage.
“On this good vibes Terrific Tuesday, it is time to practice what I preach: to stand strong, rock on and remain unbroken,” Michaels said. “To take all of my crazy energy & keep it positive, I have to set goals, and my goal is to know that I can get back on that stage, no matter what I’m going through and rock the world and pick things I love to do & do them and not sweat the technique.”
Michaels went on to detail plans for a series of comeback performances designed to test his physical readiness before a full return.
“Again, stay tuned before the end of the year, as a few promoters and I are working on announcing a couple of Road to Recovery comeback shows in up-close & personal venues that I love to perform at as a real-world stress test to see where I’m at physically, all of it done under incredible medical guidance – sometime in October, November, December,” he continued. “And, as you know, I’ll give every ounce of energy on that stage because without passion, purpose and a project, as well as good family, friends and fans surrounding you… What’s the point? Let’s rock!!!”
No official dates or venues have been announced yet. Michaels indicated more details on the “Road to Recovery” shows are expected before the end of the year.
The health scare that sidelined Michaels traces back to mid-July, when he pushed through intense pain to finish a performance before being hospitalized. Doctors later determined the source of his agony was a kidney stone that would not pass on its own. The stone forced him into an emergency procedure.
Michaels announced on July 22 that the surgery had been completed. He expressed optimism about a quick turnaround and return to the road. That optimism led him to attempt a comeback show at The Bowl at Sugar Hill. The show tested his body’s readiness in front of a live crowd.
The comeback attempt proved premature. Doctors and paramedics who examined Michaels immediately after that show determined he still needed additional rest and recovery. His team announced on August 22 that he would be pulled off the road for the time being.
That announcement confirmed Michaels would take the next several months off to heal fully. His remaining 2026 tour dates were canceled in the process. Against that backdrop, Michaels’ latest message reads less like a casual update and more like a carefully calculated next step, one built around smaller, controlled “stress test” shows rather than a full-scale return.
The rocker’s emphasis on close medical supervision for the upcoming shows reflects the lessons learned from the Sugar Hill setback. This signals a more cautious approach as he charts his path back to the stage.
