Bret Michaels speaks out for first time after Poison reunion implodes over explosive money grab claims

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Bret Michaels is addressing the reports that a planned Poison reunion tour fell apart due to disagreements about finances. This is his first public statement on the matter.

Bret Michaels, 62, spoke about recent issues on Wednesday. This came after Poison drummer Rikki Rockett claimed talks for a 40th anniversary tour planned for 2026 ended because Michaels was asking for a much bigger share of the profits.

Instead of addressing the criticism directly, Michaels responded with a positive and thoughtful Facebook post. He congratulated Green Day and Bad Bunny on performing at the Super Bowl and hinted at a long-held dream of his finally coming true with the NFL.

He also sent a public message to Rikki Rockett, wishing him a fun night with Eddie Trunk at the Metal Hall of Fame ceremony.

Michaels clarified that, to him, Poison will always be the original lineup – Bobby Dall, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett, and himself – and he remains dedicated to both Poison and his solo band, Bret Michaels Band.

Michaels ended his message by thanking his fans and hinting that the band might get back together someday.

Simply put, I’m incredibly thankful for the music and all of you, the fans,” he shared. “Let’s look forward to 2026 with optimism and keep the possibility of getting back together in the future alive.

These statements followed Rockett’s assertion that Poison canceled their planned 2026 tour because of money issues.

The band, featuring guitar player C.C. DeVille and bassist Bobby Dall, last performed live in 2022 as an opening act for Def Leppard. They were also said to be organizing their own large-scale concerts.

According to Rocket, the band generally agreed on terms, but talks fell apart because of a disagreement over how much money Michaels would receive, as reported by Page Six of the New York Post.

‘We had a great offer, I thought. But we left the table. It didn’t work,’ Rockett said. ‘Really what it came to was C.C., Bobby and I were all in, and I thought Bret was, but he wanted the lion’s share of the money, to the point where it makes it not possible to even do it.’

He added, ‘It’s like $6 to every one of our dollars. You just can’t work that way.’

Rockett explained that the core of the issue wasn’t about making a lot of money, but about fairness. He admitted he genuinely enjoys his work, but also believes people shouldn’t work tirelessly just to enrich others.

The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Michaels for a statement, but they haven’t heard back yet.

Despite the controversy, Michaels appeared eager to return to the stage. 

He posted a cheerful video to Instagram on Sunday, showing him at the beach and expressing excitement for upcoming shows in 2026. He wished his followers a great weekend.

The recent collapse of negotiations is a significant shift from what Rockett said just a few months ago. He had confidently stated on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation that a 2026 tour was definitely planned, and that all band members were on board unless something unexpected came up.

Singer Michael has previously shared that he intends to take a break for much of 2025, citing health reasons. He’s been successful as a solo performer for some time.

I was really concerned when I heard he needed to prioritize his health last March. He explained he was feeling completely drained and needed a serious physical reset. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after some recent health issues and with strong encouragement from his doctors and loved ones, he knew he had to step back and focus on getting better.

He reassured fans at the time that the hiatus was intended to ensure his return at full strength.

I’m incredibly thankful for all the fans, and I’m confident I’ll be back performing in 2026 and beyond, giving it my all with a positive and determined attitude!

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2026-01-22 20:49