Metal Anarchy

As previously reported, Poison drummer Rikki Rockett recently made headlines after claiming that Bret Michaels no longer wanted to tour with the band in 2025. As such, the frontman has since issued his own statement, saying he plans to use the year to focus on his health before heading out on a 40th anniversary tour with Poison in 2026.

Michaels said the following:

“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 lol

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’ music director and guitarist Pete Evick also responded to Rockett’s post:

“Hi👋 this is a post about Rikki Rockets post, me posting this may cost me my gig! This post is going to be long, I decided not to spam Rikki’s page and start a bunch of shit. I’m not upset with Rikki, that’s not what this post is about. The fact is Rikki’s post is 100% true. However, what I am going to address are some of the things the fans are saying that are so ridiculous that I just have to state a few facts. I trust that anyone that reads this will direct people they think should see this to….. this post.

Before I start, if for some reason you don’t know, I have been Bret’s solo music director / guitarist for 21 years. I also consider him one of the best friends I have ever had.

Also I want to make it very clear that I am a huge Poison fan, I’m not a hired gun, I don’t go looking for the next big gig, I had, and still have a career outside of Bret with my own band EVICK, we’ve had record deals, we’ve toured the world, we had radio singles and videos long before I knew Bret.

I played Poison songs in talent shows, I saw them live every time they came to town starting with the tour when they opened for Ratt. When the opportunity came to perform those songs with Bret, I decided that he’s going to do this no matter what so it’s best that someone do it with him that loves the songs like there my own rather than some ass hole that probably talked shit about the band take his money.

So…..

First and formost, I wonder, instead of making all these crazy assumptions, does anyone maybe wanna know WHY Bret doesn’t wanna tour with Poison next year?

I’ve stood on stage with him every night and he has never said 2025. He has consistently says 2026, it’s there 40th anniversary and he, along with some of the management team are actively planning the 2026 tour right now.

Second, he DOES have some serious health issues that MUST be addressed and taken care of Infact I’ve urged him to cancel the rest of this year to do so!

The rest of WHY he doesn’t want to is his story to tell but let me tell you something’s you are all very off base about.

I see many of you talking about money and saying some insulting and stupid things about both Bret and the other guys.

Poisons publishing is split 4 ways. They all get an equal cut when it comes to the catalog, my point. Not one of those 4 guys have to do this, the money EVERY ROSE has made alone should have set there 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.

Next, the comment about Bret having to split the touring money equally with Poison verse taking a bigger cut with the solo band is not true, and unfortunately while we all have fantasies of brothers in bands splitting it equal, 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 gauruntees or what any member of either band gets. It is not an equal split in Poison or the Solo Band.

Also many statements about paying the solo band peanuts is dumb, please consider this, I have been in this band 21 years, I live in Northern Virginia, one of the top 3 most expensive places in the country. In the last 20 years I have raised two children and given them everything they ever wanted, brand new cars, mac book pros, every version of the I phone they’ve ever asked for, beach vacations, trips accross the counrty, on and on and on, I always have a brand new or close to new vehicle of my choice and a guitar collection that grows and grows as well as an ever evolving state of the art audio and video studio. I could not have that if he paid me peanuts. I also have a pension plan, insurance, a certain level of other expenses paid for, and a big year end bonus. Every single year for 21 years.

My point, NONE OF THIS is about the money. THAT IS A FACT!

Some of you have made comments about the solo band playing lesser size or less prestigious venues. Unless you have been under a rock for the last few years you would know that the solo band has been playing the exact same live nation venues that Poison will be playing, Bret created a brand and a concept with Parti Gras, his hopes are to eventually have it be an entity that carries on without him even being there, and he is working tirelessly on this.

Again this is an undeniable FACT look at the pictures on his Instagram, packed sheds over and over and over.

Many people make the comments saying “I’ve seen the solo band, it’s just not the same”. CORRECT, if Bret wanted “The Same” he would just have POISON. The whole point of the solo band is to deliver something different.

Even though we play the same songs as POISON, they are reimagined and performed different than Poison plays them. Bret loves Southern Rock and Counrty and our versions are very much more southern with slower tempos, tons of B3 organs, 5 additional background vocals (2 female) and 2 guitars. Not that the poison songs aren’t great as they are (they are perfect), but Bret likes both versions.

Someone said Bret can’t hit the high notes anymore. Are you listening to the same guy? First off he never sang out of his range, he was never GEOFF TATE, and he sounds as good today as he ever did.

Many people said “Why doesn’t the band play with out him”?

Bret actually encourages this, he does it, why shouldn’t they? And….. He loves Brandon Gibbs, Brandon filled in for me in the solo band in the past!

There was a comment, if the fans don’t support the solo band Bret would have to come back to POISON. Not true, Bret does not have to do anything ever, Bret’s children’s children will never HAVE to do anything! The amount of money he has is astonishing, He does things soley for the love of doing them.

There is so much else I’d like to say in defence of my friend but I’ll leave it with this, Why doesnt Bret want to tour with POISON next year? Why not ask him instead of making up these crazy ideas.

Imagine if he read these horrible things. WHY WOULD HE WANT TO COME OUT AND PLAY, With fans like that who needs enemies.

Bret loves you guys he’s given his life for you guys, he sacrifices his own health to bring you guys fun and happiness with POISON and everything else he does.”