Rikki Rockett Mulls Replacing Bret Michaels Over ‘Unfair’ Poison Tour Demand

LOS ANGELES, CA. (THECOUNT.COM) — Legendary glam metal band Poison has reportedly shelved plans for its highly anticipated 40th anniversary tour after internal disagreements over compensation, with longtime frontman Bret Michaels allegedly demanding a significantly larger share of tour earnings than his bandmates.

According to a Page Six report, the band — one of the few classic rock groups to remain intact with its original lineup for four decades — had been in talks to tour in 2026 to mark the milestone anniversary. However, those plans were halted after negotiations broke down.

Drummer Rikki Rockett told Page Six that the proposed deal ultimately collapsed because Michaels wanted what Rockett described as a disproportionate share of the revenue. Rockett said the arrangement would have resulted in Michaels earning approximately six dollars for every one dollar paid to the other band members.

“We had a great offer, I thought. But we left the table. It didn’t work,” Rockett said. He explained that guitarist C.C. DeVille, bassist Bobby Dall, and himself were prepared to move forward, believing Michaels was on board as well until financial terms became an obstacle.

“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,” Rockett said. “It’s like $6 to every one of our dollars. You just can’t work that way.”

Rockett emphasized that while financial considerations matter, they are not his sole motivation. “I don’t do this just for the money. I do have a love for this, absolutely,” he said, adding that he did not feel it was fair to work extensively while another member earned substantially more.

The band had already begun hinting at the anniversary tour publicly. During the summer, DeVille posted on social media, “Poison tour 2026. Are you ready?” fueling fan anticipation before the plans were quietly abandoned.

Poison formed in Pennsylvania in the early 1980s and rose to prominence with its debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, followed by the commercially successful Open Up and Say… Ahh!, which produced the band’s signature hit, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn.”

While the anniversary tour remains uncertain, Michaels has remained active with his solo career and television projects. He previously won The Celebrity Apprentice and starred in VH1’s dating series Rock of Love, which ran for three seasons.

Despite the disagreement, Rockett said there is no animosity toward Michaels, describing their relationship as longstanding and deeply rooted. “Every member of this band has given me so much privilege in life,” he said. “It’s like hating your parents.”

Rockett said he plans to mark the anniversary independently by touring with his side project, Rockett Mafia, performing Look What the Cat Dragged In in its entirety at each show.

He also expressed hope that the band could still resolve its issues in the future, joking that it would be “a perfect Poison folly” to instead hold a 41st anniversary tour.

When asked whether Poison might tour with a different frontman if negotiations fail, Rockett said it was not impossible but would be a last resort. “Doing that is like surgery,” he said. “It’s the last resort.”

Rockett added that he does not believe there is a better frontman for the band than Michaels, despite the current impasse.

Rockett is scheduled to be inducted into the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame and is preparing to release his memoir, Ghost Notes, later this year.

Representatives for Michaels did not respond to requests for comment.

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