Poison drummer Rikki Rockett posted a photo of the band on a boat and asked fans about a possible cruise, but comments quickly turned to frustration over singer Bret Michaels’ absence from touring plans, posted on Instagram.
Rockett had previously revealed that the band was trying to convince Michaels to tour in 2026 or the near future. His latest post sparked a conversation among fans about the singer’s commitment to the band.
Rockett wrote in the caption of his post: “Would you do a cruise with us?”
One fan questioned Michaels’ willingness to participate. “The question is would Bret Michaels want to tour with Poison?” the fan commented on Rockett’s post.
Another fan expressed disappointment with Michaels’ priorities. “Bret is more interested in playing with Mark McGrath then touring and making new music with Poison; it’s a shame,” the fan wrote.
Some fans went further and called for the band to move forward without him. “You guys should start playing without Bret; the fans want a tour!” one fan posted.
The comments came in response to Rockett’s social media post about a possible band cruise.
The tension between Rockett and Michaels reflects deeper divisions over the band’s future. In September 2024, Michaels clarified his hopes for a 2026 Poison 40th-anniversary tour, but plans collapsed by January 2026. The band was planning a major anniversary tour, with Rockett, C.C. DeVille, and Bobby Dall ready to participate, but disagreements over money distribution made the tour impossible to arrange.
Rockett explained that Michaels wanted a much larger share of the money than his bandmates. The drummer told SiriusXM that discussions about the tour got blocked early in the planning process and never reached the point of formally discussing fees. The band had previously toured in 2022 on a massive stadium run with Mötley Crüe, Def Leppard, and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
Michaels’ health situation has affected his ability to commit to touring dates. The Poison frontman, who is a Type 1 diabetic, underwent kidney stone removal and had a ureteral stent placed, leading him to cancel tour dates. According to Rockett, any possible Poison dates will depend on Michaels’ medical clearance, with discussions happening between management and the band.
Meanwhile, Michaels has been performing with Sugar Ray vocalist Mark McGrath as of February 2025, which fueled fan criticism about his priorities. Rockett indicated that the band is discussing potential regrouping plans, though the timeline remains uncertain due to Michaels’ health recovery and the earlier disagreements over money that derailed the 40th-anniversary tour.
