Bret Michaels recently addressed his Poison bandmate Rikki Rockett in a public social media statement. He responded to accusations that he demanded too much money and ruined the band’s planned 2026 tour, as reported in a post shared on Facebook.
The statement addressed multiple topics, including congratulations to other artists and his relationship with his Poison bandmates.
“To Green Day and Bad Bunny – congratulations on the Super Bowl concert,” Michaels said. “I cannot wait to watch it and I cannot wait to announce a Bucket List NFL dream come true (stay tuned…).”
The message then turned to address Rockett directly.
“To my friend Rikki Rockett – have fun tonight with my good buddy Eddie Trunk and enjoy the Metal Hall Of Fame ceremony,” he continued. “As always, I consider Poison to be Bobby, C.C., Rikki and myself. I also make no bones about loving the BMB and will always have both in my life.”
Michaels concluded his statement with an optimistic outlook for the future.
“Bottom line – I love music, I love the fans and I’m always forever grateful,” he said. “Onward & upward and let’s all focus on the positive in 2026, and the potential of a future reunion.”
This public message comes amid ongoing tensions within the band regarding their planned reunion tour. It follows recent revelations about the financial disputes that derailed their 2026 plans.
Ultimate Classic Rock reported that Poison dropped plans for a 2026 tour after Michaels allegedly demanded 600% more money than his bandmates. The financial disagreement made the proposed tour financially unfeasible for the other band members. This led to the cancellation of what would have been a 40th anniversary celebration.
The band’s last major touring effort was in 2022. Blabbermouth noted that they supported Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard on a successful stadium tour. That collaboration demonstrated the continued commercial appeal of the classic rock acts. This makes the current internal disputes all the more disappointing for fans.
Despite the current setback, there remains hope for future reconciliation. Brave Words revealed that Rockett has suggested that a reunion could potentially happen in 2027 as a “41st anniversary tour.” This indicates that the door remains open for future collaboration despite the current financial disagreements.
The public nature of both Rockett’s accusations and Michaels’ response highlights the ongoing challenges facing legacy rock bands attempting to navigate reunion tours. These bands must balance individual financial expectations with collective band interests.
