Poison drummer Rikki Rockett recently addressed the band’s future and potential tours in an interview with Reality Check TV.
Rockett gave insight into Poison’s current standoff when asked about plans.
“You’re not doing the Poison thing this year, but is that off in the future?” Rockett was questioned. He replied with cautious optimism: “I hope so. Look, I love Poison. We all love Poison. Hopefully, we’ll come to the table and get it worked out. We gotta have a sit down.”
Rockett detailed the 2026 tour cancellation. He noted the other three members had considered replacing Bret Michaels as a last resort, though he called it “like surgery” and praised Michaels as Poison’s best frontman.
“We had a great offer [for a tour this year], I thought,” Rockett said. “But we left the table. It didn’t work. Really what it came to was [guitarist] C.C. [DeVille], [bassist] Bobby [Dall] and I were all in, and I thought Bret [Michaels] was, but he wanted the lion’s share of the money, to the point where it makes it not possible to even do it. It’s like $6 to every one of our dollars. You just can’t work that way.”
The drummer’s comments have sparked a response from the band’s frontman. This adds another layer to the ongoing dispute within the legendary rock group.
MetalSucks reported that Bret Michaels has responded indirectly to Rockett’s claims through a Facebook post. The frontman affirmed Poison as “Bobby, C.C., Rikki and myself” while urging focus on “the potential of a future reunion” in 2026.
Metal Injection noted that Michaels’ response came after Rockett’s public statements about the collapsed tour negotiations. The frontman’s measured approach suggests he’s attempting to keep the door open for future reconciliation despite the current financial disagreements.
The current rift highlights the complex dynamics that have long existed within Poison, particularly regarding business decisions and revenue sharing. The band’s internal struggles over financial arrangements have become a recurring theme throughout their career. Various members have expressed different perspectives on how touring profits should be distributed.
The remarks from both Rockett and Michaels indicate that tensions exist, but neither party has completely ruled out future collaboration. The emphasis on potential reunion talks suggests that despite the current impasse, the band members recognize the value of their collective legacy and the demand from fans for Poison’s return to the stage.
