Rikki Rockett made clear that nothing has been agreed for a Poison tour in 2027 and attributed the band’s halt since 2022 to Bret Michaels’ solo career.
On the «Cobras & Fire» podcast, the drummer was asked whether there was any move to capitalize on the momentum of «The Stadium Tour» — the tour with Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard that wrapped up in 2022. «I was ready to go out the next year», he answered. «Bret got busy with the Bret Michaels Band. It’s that simple». As for 2027 plans he was blunt: «Not yet».
He was also asked whether he, Bobby Dall and C.C. DeVille ever considered touring with another singer: «We’ve discussed it when we’ve been angry, just as Bret has surely talked about replacing me. But there’s never been a serious conversation».
Michaels had painted a more optimistic picture five months ago, on SiriusXM’s «Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk»: «We’re hoping for 2027, because I know that’s the big question. I believe it will be a good reunion year for Poison». He had also addressed the tension: «Rikki is my brother. You can agree and disagree, but we’ll go out and make it great».
The disagreement went public in January, when Rockett explained to the New York Post’s «Page Six» why the 40th-anniversary tour didn’t happen: «We had a good offer, I thought, but we got up from the table». As he put it, Michaels was asking for the largest share, in a ratio that, by his account, amounted to «six dollars for every one of ours». Michaels pushed back a few weeks later on «99.1 WPLR», saying the negotiation never got that far: «What comes to the table is what each guy gets solo». And he asked for the rest to be settled by phone, not in interviews: «We’ve been friends for 45 years. Call me».
Michaels continues with the Bret Michaels Band and has floated the possibility of a 2027 tour titled «40 Plus One». Rockett formed The Rockett Mafia, who will play «Look What The Cat Dragged In» from start to finish. Poison formed in Pennsylvania in 1983 and «Look What The Cat Dragged In» came out in 1986, with «Cry Tough» as the first single that August.
See also: Bret Michaels (Poison) announces a break from touring | Rikki Rockett says Poison have received offers
