Bret Michaels has poured cold water on rumors of internal warfare within Poison, while simultaneously reviving hopes of a long-delayed anniversary tour — just not on the original timeline.
In a new interview with Chaz & AJ In The Morning, the singer was asked whether fans can expect a tour commemorating the 41st anniversary of the band's 1986 debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, in 2027.
"We're just gonna call it hopefully '40 Plus One,'" Michaels said, acknowledging that the originally discussed 40th-anniversary tour will not materialize in 2026. "But I can tell you this — as this thing got further down the road… remember, when you're booking stuff, we're already booking stuff solo into '27. So this just got backed up. And I'm hoping that, as a founding member, obviously that would be a great day, and I'm positive we can make that happen in '27."
The comments arrive amid renewed tension after drummer Rikki Rockett recently claimed Poison's proposed 2026 tour collapsed when Michaels allegedly demanded $6 for every $1 his bandmates would earn. Michaels flatly denied that version of events. "Well, I'm gonna answer that honestly. It never happened," he said. "We never got to that part of negotiations."
According to Michaels, discussions stalled long before money splits were finalized. "What happens — when you start this, they ask me to put together solo numbers and an average, and that's the first part we turn in. We ask what the stage is gonna look like, where do we start the tour? I even got into where we're starting the dates, and then all of a sudden, '26, the shows in '26 wanted solo answers, so we moved this to '27 back last summer."
He added that the controversy has resurfaced largely due to misunderstanding. "The reason it's come up for the third time — no one, even the other members haven't commented. They're, like, 'I thought this is going in '27 now.'"
Michaels repeatedly emphasized that his relationship with Rockett — and the rest of the band — remains intact.
"We're all friends. And if you wanna discuss something, we have each other's phone number for the last 45 years. Just call me," he said. "Don't negotiate on the air [during an interview]. Just call me on the phone, and we'll work out whatever needs to be worked out. We've worked it out for 40 other years."
When pressed on whether fans would really object if he earned more than his bandmates, Michaels reiterated that the alleged demand was never on the table.
"That never came up," he said. "It should be a four-way discussion. That's what Poison's meant to be."
He also praised bassist Bobby Dall and guitarist C.C. DeVille for staying out of the public back-and-forth. "I love Rikki. He's my brother. We've been through a lot together."
Rockett, for his part, has stood by his account while downplaying any personal animosity. Speaking earlier this week on Drum Talk TV, he explained why he went public.
"They asked me about it: 'Why aren't you touring?' And I told them the truth," he said. "We can't figure it out financially."
Rockett said he didn't want fans speculating about health issues, substance abuse or disinterest. "We always wanna play," he said, adding that the situation wasn't about resentment. "Every member of this band has given me so much privilege in life. It's like hating your parents."
He also clarified that talk of replacing Michaels as Poison's singer was purely hypothetical. "We're not out looking for a singer right now… Would we tour Russia? Well, it's not out of the question, but it's not on the table."
Rockett conceded that a full-scale anniversary tour in 2026 is no longer realistic due to logistics. "We missed that window, pretty much," he said — but left the door open for a delayed celebration. "That doesn't mean we couldn't do a 41st-anniversary [tour]. And that would be so Poison to do that."
